Actor Brooke Shields has been elected president of Actors’ Equity Association, the union has announced.
Shields took the lead in a three-way race, beating out stage manager Erin Maureen Koster and actor Wydetta Carter. Actors’ Equity is represents 51,000 actors and stage managers.
Shields succeeds Kate Shindle as president, who announced in April that she would not seek re-election when her nine-year tenure ended May 23. Shindle has said that she will remain active in the labor movement but now intends to focus on resuming her acting career, noting that the unpaid position of president left her with so little time for acting that she had not been able to clock enough professional hours to quality for Equity health insurance.
Shields’ win was confirmed this morning by Equity, which announced the results of its 2024 Officer and Councilor Election. In total, 45 council seats across all three regions and representing four categories were filled, effective immediately. All terms are four years except where noted.
In addition to Shields, the 2024 officers include Rashaan James II, elected Eastern Regional Vice President; Sarah Labarr, elected Central Regional Vice President, without opposition. Jeffrey Landman was elected Western Regional Vice President, without opposition. All officers were elected to four-year terms.
In announcing her run for the presidency in April, Shields said, “I felt it was my responsibility to step up, I want to lead with strength. I want to lead with intelligence, with compassion, with passion. And, of course, a little bit of humor, always…I have been in the trenches with you and you have always had my back. And I’m here to tell you that I have your back.”
Shields comes to the position with no experience in union leadership, but has been a working actor since childhood. She has appeared on Broadway in Grease, Chicago, Cabaret, Wonderful Town and The Addams Family.
In addition to the national elections, the following candidates were elected in regional positions:
In the Eastern Region:
The following candidates were elected to four-year terms as Eastern Regional Principal Councilor:
Jeff Blumenkrantz Jennifer Cody Jacqueline Jarrold Claire Karpen Austin Ku Jeffrey Omura Kellie Overbey Kate Shindle Nancy Slusser Richard Topol
Michele Ragusa was elected to a two-year term as Eastern Regional Principal Councilor.
The following candidates were elected to four-year terms as Eastern Regional Chorus Councilor:
Belinda Allyn Holly Ann Butler Rebecca Kim Jordan Nikka Graff Lanzarone Melissa Hunter McCann T. Shyvonne Stewart
Ryan Rodiño was elected to a two-year term as Eastern Regional Chorus Councilor.
The following candidates were elected to four-year terms as Eastern Regional Stage Manager Councilor:
Anne McPherson Rebecca McBee Peter Royston
The following candidates were elected to four-year terms as Eastern Regional At-Large Councilor:
Tamara Anderson Logan Benedict Leslie Sears
In the Central Region:
The following candidates were elected to four-year terms as Central Regional Principal Councilor:
Rebecca Prescott Colin Sphar Nikki Switzer
The following candidate weas unopposed and deemed elected to a four-year term as Central Regional Stage Manager Councilor:
Katherine Nelson
The following candidate was unopposed and deemed elected to a four-year term as Central Regional At-Large Councilor:
Carolyn Fast
In the Western Region:
The following candidates were elected to four-year terms as Western Regional Principal Councilor:
Ry Armstrong Michael James Bell Kate Burton Barbara Callander Josh Grisetti Kwana A. L. Martinez
The following candidates were elected to two-year terms as Western Regional Principal Councilor:
Brian Herndon Cynthia Marty Gregory North
Juliane Godfrey was unopposed and deemed elected to a four-year term as Western Regional Chorus Councilor.
David S. Cohen was unopposed and deemed elected to a four-year term as Western Regional Stage Manager Councilor.
Michelle Dunn was unopposed and deemed elected to a four-year term as Western Regional At-Large Councilor.
Shields took the lead in a three-way race, beating out stage manager Erin Maureen Koster and actor Wydetta Carter. Actors’ Equity is represents 51,000 actors and stage managers.
Shields succeeds Kate Shindle as president, who announced in April that she would not seek re-election when her nine-year tenure ended May 23. Shindle has said that she will remain active in the labor movement but now intends to focus on resuming her acting career, noting that the unpaid position of president left her with so little time for acting that she had not been able to clock enough professional hours to quality for Equity health insurance.
Shields’ win was confirmed this morning by Equity, which announced the results of its 2024 Officer and Councilor Election. In total, 45 council seats across all three regions and representing four categories were filled, effective immediately. All terms are four years except where noted.
In addition to Shields, the 2024 officers include Rashaan James II, elected Eastern Regional Vice President; Sarah Labarr, elected Central Regional Vice President, without opposition. Jeffrey Landman was elected Western Regional Vice President, without opposition. All officers were elected to four-year terms.
In announcing her run for the presidency in April, Shields said, “I felt it was my responsibility to step up, I want to lead with strength. I want to lead with intelligence, with compassion, with passion. And, of course, a little bit of humor, always…I have been in the trenches with you and you have always had my back. And I’m here to tell you that I have your back.”
Shields comes to the position with no experience in union leadership, but has been a working actor since childhood. She has appeared on Broadway in Grease, Chicago, Cabaret, Wonderful Town and The Addams Family.
In addition to the national elections, the following candidates were elected in regional positions:
In the Eastern Region:
The following candidates were elected to four-year terms as Eastern Regional Principal Councilor:
Jeff Blumenkrantz Jennifer Cody Jacqueline Jarrold Claire Karpen Austin Ku Jeffrey Omura Kellie Overbey Kate Shindle Nancy Slusser Richard Topol
Michele Ragusa was elected to a two-year term as Eastern Regional Principal Councilor.
The following candidates were elected to four-year terms as Eastern Regional Chorus Councilor:
Belinda Allyn Holly Ann Butler Rebecca Kim Jordan Nikka Graff Lanzarone Melissa Hunter McCann T. Shyvonne Stewart
Ryan Rodiño was elected to a two-year term as Eastern Regional Chorus Councilor.
The following candidates were elected to four-year terms as Eastern Regional Stage Manager Councilor:
Anne McPherson Rebecca McBee Peter Royston
The following candidates were elected to four-year terms as Eastern Regional At-Large Councilor:
Tamara Anderson Logan Benedict Leslie Sears
In the Central Region:
The following candidates were elected to four-year terms as Central Regional Principal Councilor:
Rebecca Prescott Colin Sphar Nikki Switzer
The following candidate weas unopposed and deemed elected to a four-year term as Central Regional Stage Manager Councilor:
Katherine Nelson
The following candidate was unopposed and deemed elected to a four-year term as Central Regional At-Large Councilor:
Carolyn Fast
In the Western Region:
The following candidates were elected to four-year terms as Western Regional Principal Councilor:
Ry Armstrong Michael James Bell Kate Burton Barbara Callander Josh Grisetti Kwana A. L. Martinez
The following candidates were elected to two-year terms as Western Regional Principal Councilor:
Brian Herndon Cynthia Marty Gregory North
Juliane Godfrey was unopposed and deemed elected to a four-year term as Western Regional Chorus Councilor.
David S. Cohen was unopposed and deemed elected to a four-year term as Western Regional Stage Manager Councilor.
Michelle Dunn was unopposed and deemed elected to a four-year term as Western Regional At-Large Councilor.
- 5/24/2024
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
A musical stage adaptation of the hit 1992 Robert Zemeckis film Death Becomes Her will take another step in its development this week when Universal Theatrical Group hosts a private reading in New York City, with a starry cast of Broadway performers, including Megan Hilty, Jennifer Simard and Christopher Sieber, taking part.
Based on the 1992 Universal Pictures film written by Martin Donovan and David Koepp, the musical reading will feature Hilty, Simard and Sieber in the roles played in the movie by Meryl Streep, Goldie Hawn and Bruce Willis.
The creative team for the musical includes Marco Pennette (book), Julia Mattison and Noel Carey (music and lyrics), and Christopher Gattelli (direction and choreography).
Additional cast for the reading includes Nicole Scherzinger as Viola Van Horn, Kevin Smith Kirkwood as Zander Medly, and Marissa Rosen, Nikki Kimbrough, Ellyn Marie Marsh, Abigail Stephenson, Evan Harrington, Josh Lamon, Austin Ku and Mike Millan.
Hilty...
Based on the 1992 Universal Pictures film written by Martin Donovan and David Koepp, the musical reading will feature Hilty, Simard and Sieber in the roles played in the movie by Meryl Streep, Goldie Hawn and Bruce Willis.
The creative team for the musical includes Marco Pennette (book), Julia Mattison and Noel Carey (music and lyrics), and Christopher Gattelli (direction and choreography).
Additional cast for the reading includes Nicole Scherzinger as Viola Van Horn, Kevin Smith Kirkwood as Zander Medly, and Marissa Rosen, Nikki Kimbrough, Ellyn Marie Marsh, Abigail Stephenson, Evan Harrington, Josh Lamon, Austin Ku and Mike Millan.
Hilty...
- 4/11/2023
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
The theater industry’s pandemic-shortened season seems to have opened up the Grammy playing field for cast albums, as only two of the six just-announced nominees for the 2021 awards represent the usually-dominant Broadway.
The two Broadway cast albums included in today’s nominations for Best Musical Theater Album are David Byrne’s American Utopia on Broadway and Jagged Little Pill, the musical consisting of Alanis Morissette songs. Two London cast albums were nominated, as were two from Off Broadway.
Last year, all five nominees in the category were Broadway productions (Hadestown won), while the year before Broadway accounted for four of the five nominees, with TV’s Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert filling out the category (Broadway’s The Band’s Visit won). Previous years show a similar pro-Broadway pattern.
A slew of highly anticipated 2020 Broadway musicals were...
The two Broadway cast albums included in today’s nominations for Best Musical Theater Album are David Byrne’s American Utopia on Broadway and Jagged Little Pill, the musical consisting of Alanis Morissette songs. Two London cast albums were nominated, as were two from Off Broadway.
Last year, all five nominees in the category were Broadway productions (Hadestown won), while the year before Broadway accounted for four of the five nominees, with TV’s Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert filling out the category (Broadway’s The Band’s Visit won). Previous years show a similar pro-Broadway pattern.
A slew of highly anticipated 2020 Broadway musicals were...
- 11/24/2020
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
In this episode, Ben and Daniel talk about 'Take Me to the World A Sondheim 90th Birthday Celebration.' The online broadcast featured Meryl Streep, Bernadette Peters, Patti LuPone, Audra McDonald, Mandy Patinkin, Christine Baranski, Donna Murphy, Sutton Foster, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Kelli O'Hara, Aaron Tveit, Maria Friedman, Iain Armitage, Katrina Lenk, Michael Cerveris, Brandon Uranowitz, Stephen Schwartz, Elizabeth Stanley, Chip Zien, Alexander Gemignani, Ann Harada, Austin Ku, Kelvin Moon Loh, Thom Sesma, and Raul Esparza. Drama Desk Award winner Mary-Mitchell Campbell was the evening's music director, with Paul Wontorek serving as director.
- 4/27/2020
- by Ben Rimalower
- BroadwayWorld.com
Last night’s Take Me to the World: A Sondheim 90th Birthday Celebration online all-star tribute concert got off to a rocky start – technical difficulties pushed the YouTube special more than an hour past its planned “curtain” – but the impressive line-up, top-notch performances and celebratory mood combined for an all’s-well evening.
Watch the concert below.
More from DeadlineBroadway Star Laura Benanti Recently Tossed A Social Media Lifeline To Musical Theater Students Hit By The Shutdown; On May 2, She'll Give Them A National Stage: Guest ColumnBroadway Actor Nick Cordero Gets Temporary Pacemaker In Covid-19 Battle - UpdateReopening Broadway: Actors' Equity Recruits High-Profile Safety Consultant As Exec Director Details What's At Stake
The show – a Zoom-style benefit 3:28 – Broadway Musicians – “Overture” (Merrily We Roll Along) 8:47 – Sutton Foster – “There Won’t Be Trumpets” (Anyone Can Whistle) 12:47 – Neil Patrick Harris – “The Witch’s Rap” (Into the Woods) 16:26 – Kelli O’Hara – “What More Do I Need?” (Saturday Night) 19:56 – Judy Kuhn – “What Can You Lose?” (Dick Tracy) 23:53 – Katrina Lenk – “Johanna” (Sweeney Todd) 27:11 – Aaron Tveit – “Marry Me a Little” (Company) 32:58 – Beanie Feldstein & Ben Platt – “It Takes Two” (Into the Woods) 36:25 – Brandon Uranowitz – “With So Little to Be Sure Of” (Anyone Can Whistle) 41:04 – Melissa Errico – “Children and Art” (Sunday in the Park with George) 46:20 – Randy Rainbow – “By the Sea” (Sweeney Todd) 49:21 – Elizabeth Stanley – “The Miller’s Son” (A Little Night Music) 54:21 – Mandy Pantinkin – “Lesson #8” (Sunday in the Park with George) 59:05 – Maria Friedman – “Broadway Baby” (Follies) 1:02:36 – Lin-Manuel Miranda – “Giants in the Sky” (Into the Woods) 1:05:46 – Lea Salonga – “Loving You” (Passion) 1:08:28 – Laura Benanti – “I Remember” (Evening Primrose) 1:14:06 – Chip Zien – “No More” (Into the Woods) 1:19:27 – Josh Groban – “Children Will Listen/Not While I’m Around” (Into the Woods/Sweeney Todd) 1:25:13 – Brian Stokes Mitchell – “The Flag Song” (Assassins) 1:28:04 – Michael Cerveris – “Finishing the Hat” (Sunday in the Park with George) 1:33:28 – Linda Lavin – “The Boy From…” (The Mad Show) 1:37:10 – Alexander Gemignani – “Buddy’s Blues” (Follies) 1:41:08 – Ann Harada, Austin Ku, Kelvin Moon Loh & Thom Sesma – “Someone in a Tree” (Pacific Overtures) 1:50:59 – Raúl Esparza – “Take Me to the World” (Evening Primrose) 1:53:55 – Donna Murphy – “Send in the Clowns” (A Little Night Music) 1:58:47 – Christine Baranski, Meryl Streep & Audra McDonald – “The Ladies Who Lunch” (Company) 2:03:31 – Annaleigh Ashford & Jake Gyllenhaal – “Move On” (Sunday in the Park with George) 2:08:14 – Patti LuPone – “Anyone Can Whistle” (Anyone Can Whistle) 2:11:46 – Bernadette Peters – “No One Is Alone” (Into the Woods) 2:17:49 – Ensemble – “I’m Still Here” (Follies)...
Watch the concert below.
More from DeadlineBroadway Star Laura Benanti Recently Tossed A Social Media Lifeline To Musical Theater Students Hit By The Shutdown; On May 2, She'll Give Them A National Stage: Guest ColumnBroadway Actor Nick Cordero Gets Temporary Pacemaker In Covid-19 Battle - UpdateReopening Broadway: Actors' Equity Recruits High-Profile Safety Consultant As Exec Director Details What's At Stake
The show – a Zoom-style benefit 3:28 – Broadway Musicians – “Overture” (Merrily We Roll Along) 8:47 – Sutton Foster – “There Won’t Be Trumpets” (Anyone Can Whistle) 12:47 – Neil Patrick Harris – “The Witch’s Rap” (Into the Woods) 16:26 – Kelli O’Hara – “What More Do I Need?” (Saturday Night) 19:56 – Judy Kuhn – “What Can You Lose?” (Dick Tracy) 23:53 – Katrina Lenk – “Johanna” (Sweeney Todd) 27:11 – Aaron Tveit – “Marry Me a Little” (Company) 32:58 – Beanie Feldstein & Ben Platt – “It Takes Two” (Into the Woods) 36:25 – Brandon Uranowitz – “With So Little to Be Sure Of” (Anyone Can Whistle) 41:04 – Melissa Errico – “Children and Art” (Sunday in the Park with George) 46:20 – Randy Rainbow – “By the Sea” (Sweeney Todd) 49:21 – Elizabeth Stanley – “The Miller’s Son” (A Little Night Music) 54:21 – Mandy Pantinkin – “Lesson #8” (Sunday in the Park with George) 59:05 – Maria Friedman – “Broadway Baby” (Follies) 1:02:36 – Lin-Manuel Miranda – “Giants in the Sky” (Into the Woods) 1:05:46 – Lea Salonga – “Loving You” (Passion) 1:08:28 – Laura Benanti – “I Remember” (Evening Primrose) 1:14:06 – Chip Zien – “No More” (Into the Woods) 1:19:27 – Josh Groban – “Children Will Listen/Not While I’m Around” (Into the Woods/Sweeney Todd) 1:25:13 – Brian Stokes Mitchell – “The Flag Song” (Assassins) 1:28:04 – Michael Cerveris – “Finishing the Hat” (Sunday in the Park with George) 1:33:28 – Linda Lavin – “The Boy From…” (The Mad Show) 1:37:10 – Alexander Gemignani – “Buddy’s Blues” (Follies) 1:41:08 – Ann Harada, Austin Ku, Kelvin Moon Loh & Thom Sesma – “Someone in a Tree” (Pacific Overtures) 1:50:59 – Raúl Esparza – “Take Me to the World” (Evening Primrose) 1:53:55 – Donna Murphy – “Send in the Clowns” (A Little Night Music) 1:58:47 – Christine Baranski, Meryl Streep & Audra McDonald – “The Ladies Who Lunch” (Company) 2:03:31 – Annaleigh Ashford & Jake Gyllenhaal – “Move On” (Sunday in the Park with George) 2:08:14 – Patti LuPone – “Anyone Can Whistle” (Anyone Can Whistle) 2:11:46 – Bernadette Peters – “No One Is Alone” (Into the Woods) 2:17:49 – Ensemble – “I’m Still Here” (Follies)...
- 4/27/2020
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Update, with additional performances: Jake Gyllenhaal, Linda Lavin, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Laura Benanti, Neil Patrick Harris and Ben Platt are among the second wave of stars to sign on for Sunday’s Stephen Sondheim virtual birthday concert.
Also joining the all-star benefit for Artists Striving To End Poverty are Annaleigh Ashford, Melissa Errico, Beanie Feldstein, Josh Groban, Judy Kuhn, Randy Rainbow and Lea Solanga. Special appearances will be made by Victor Garber, Joanna Gleason, Nathan Lane and Steven Spielberg.
More from DeadlineRosie O'Donnell Livestream Special Raises $600,000 For The Actors Fund During Coronavirus PandemicRyan Murphy's 'The Prom' Film Shuts Down Production Over Coronavirus ConcernsJohn Williams' 'Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker' Oscar Nomination A Record Breaker
They’ll all join the previously announced Meryl Streep, Bernadette Peters, Patti LuPone and Audra McDonald, among many others, in the special virtual concert to celebrate Sondheim’s 90th birthday.
Take Me To The...
Also joining the all-star benefit for Artists Striving To End Poverty are Annaleigh Ashford, Melissa Errico, Beanie Feldstein, Josh Groban, Judy Kuhn, Randy Rainbow and Lea Solanga. Special appearances will be made by Victor Garber, Joanna Gleason, Nathan Lane and Steven Spielberg.
More from DeadlineRosie O'Donnell Livestream Special Raises $600,000 For The Actors Fund During Coronavirus PandemicRyan Murphy's 'The Prom' Film Shuts Down Production Over Coronavirus ConcernsJohn Williams' 'Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker' Oscar Nomination A Record Breaker
They’ll all join the previously announced Meryl Streep, Bernadette Peters, Patti LuPone and Audra McDonald, among many others, in the special virtual concert to celebrate Sondheim’s 90th birthday.
Take Me To The...
- 4/23/2020
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
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