How will the shutdown affect contracts?

as I wrote somewhere else, no one knows what concessions, deals, etc., we might see as we pull out of the pandemic, but in extant terms, IIRC (and I am too lazy to check but maybe someone else isn't ) a suspended term contract is not bilaterally enforceable: only the actor can enforce it. Whether it could be argued that this is a different situation than that contemplated, I have no clue. Likewise, no clue what all of this would do to any remaining run of show contracts.

As I said above (and have now confirmed in the production contract) an actor can walk from a term contract in this situation. Beyond that, I would be loath to pay attention to anything an actor says on social media about contracts. If there are special arrangements made, expect them to be across the board and not case by case. And no there will not be a union rep in the room for auditions. There is no rule against recasting with cheaper actors when there is no contract, and there is no issue if there is a contract.

jonartdesigns said: "By the end of the shutdown, Id imagine that everyone, save for those with run of show contracts will have had their contracts expire.

Are actors whos contracts are up obligated to finish out the number of weeks they were contracted for? (Especially in the case of actors who had other commitments lined up)

And on the flip side, are producers obligated to hire everyone back, or could the producers of long running shows use this as an opportunity to clean house so to speak?"

The agreement reached with AEA and the League was to "suspend and extend" for 18 months. So the clock stopped ticking on contracts when Broadway shut down, and starts ticking again 18 months later or when Broadway reopens if that comes first. There are some outs for both sides. And if a show reopens within 6 months of the government giving the go-ahead for theaters to reopen, AEA members have right of first refusal to resume their jobs.

As Hogan said, legally, the producers cannot unilaterally extend the contract period. The dates are "written in stone" in the contracts, and contract law is pretty concrete. So while the League can claim that the contracts are paused and will resume when performances resume, that isn't legally enforceable unless there is a written rider executed by both parties amended to the contract. Since all contracts will have expired by the time shows resume, the termination procedures of the expired contracts would still be in place. So while an actor would be able to simply walk away from the show, the show is unlikely to be able to just terminate them outside of the original contract terms. However, it would be irresponsible for anyone to return without a newly executed contract.

Fosse76 said: "As Hogan said, legally, the producers cannot unilaterally extend the contract period. The dates are "written in stone" in the contracts, and contract law is pretty concrete. So while the League can claim that the contracts are paused and will resume when performances resume, that isn't legally enforceable unless there is a written rider executed by both parties amended to the contract. Since all contracts will have expired by the time shows resume, thetermination procedures of the expired contracts would still be in place. So while an actor would be able to simply walk away from the show, the show is unlikely to be able to just terminate them outside of the original contract terms. However, it would be irresponsible for anyone to return without a newly executed contract."

They didn't do it unilaterally. The unions and the league negotiated a settlement agreement. It will almost certainly be more than 18 months of closure (IMHO) though which will make that agreement moot.

HogansHero said: "itsjustmejonhotmailcom said: "HogansHero said: "@itsjustme I know there was an agreement re tours but has there also been an agreement re Broadway?I had not seen that."

Yeah, they are very similar."

So you are saying that there is a Broadway agreement re the Covid issues? Can you provide a link? I have not seen anything on it, hence my question. Regarding the rest of what the two of you say there is some right and some wrong stuff but it probably doesn't matter right now. "

@HogansHero I DM'd you.