theatrecrew

Actors parade (LOC)

from The Library of Congress

• Pixel Wrangler said:

  In August 1919, actors joined by stage managers, stagehands, chorus girls, musicians, variety artists and musical artists went on strike forcing shows all over the country to shut down. It was one of the most significant strikes in labor history as it reshaped the definition of labor. On a rainy August 18th afternoon the biggest stars of the time locked arms with their lesser known brethren – several thousand strong – and paraded down Broadway in full solidarity. "The parade of the actors down Broadway was staged despite the drizzling rain, which kept down the numbers of those along the line of the march but did not in any way affect the numbers or spirits of those in the procession. It was led by Major Reginald Barlow and several hundred actors who had served overseas, many of them in uniform." The parade kicked off a week of benefit performances for Equity at the Lexington Avenue Opera House. Eventually, the producers had no choice but to recognize Actors' Equity Association (AEA) as the bargaining agent for their performers.  [1] [2]

• Lara S said:

  Thanks for drawing our attention to this specific event, Pixel Wrangler!