Changes To Actors’ Equity Rules Make Immigrant Actors’ Dreams A Reality

Choosing to become an actor is often considered a brave decision. There are limited jobs, little stability, and a lot of doubt in this particular career. It is very much a career that must be chosen based on passion and there are few more passionate than immigrant artists.

These immigrant artists often travel halfway across the world to pursue their dream in the city that never sleeps, New York City. Actors have to leave behind their entire life and support system to pursue their dreams and until very recently this pursuit has been met with very little enthusiasm by their adopted nation.

Even though its film counterpart SAG-AFTRA never had any restrictions, restrictions have been around for years for Actors Equity Association, meaning that in the so-called land of opportunity, Broadway was intent on keeping its doors shut.

Immigrant performers up until April 27th, 2021 were unable to freely join unions and had to struggle for approval to be in union productions even after years of experience. If you were on a green card or had a valid work visa such as the O1 (Extraordinary Artist Visa) you could still be turned away from the Association. The policy was extremely discriminatory towards immigrant performers and in turn detrimental to career succession for many performers.

Championed by Immigrant Artist Jessica Wu, the push to change these rules finally won over the AEA. This news has mostly been spread amongst social media and comes as a huge relief for many international artists who have struggled to work in New York City.

Jessica Wu announced this win with a FaceBook post stating:

With these new changes marks a new wave of Broadway and Off Broadway theatre, one that is much more inclusive, diverse, and fair.