Actors' Equity Association

The Actors' Equity Association (AEA), commonly referred to as Actors' Equity or simply Equity, is an American labor union representing the world of live theatrical performance, as opposed to film and television performance (which is represented by SAG-AFTRA). However, performers appearing on live stage productions without a book or through-storyline (vaudeville, cabarets, circuses) may be represented by the American Guild of Variety Artists (AGVA). As of 2010, Equity represented over 49,000 theatre artists and stage managers.

Background

Leading up to the Actors and Producers strike of 1929 Hollywood and California in general had a series of workers equality battles that directly influenced the film industry. Hollywood was producing what was considered the 3 most important IWA/WIR films in the post-Kruse era. The films The Passaic Textile Strike (IWA 1926), The Miners’ Strike (1928) and The Gastonia Textile Strike (1929), gave audience and producers insight into the effect and accomplishments of Labor Unions and striking. These films were set apart by being current documentaries and not melodramas produced for glamour.