Tim Robbins Urges Actor's Equity Members On 99-Seat Theatre Plan Referendum: 'Make Art! Sing Loud! Vote No!'

Tim Robbins is leading an important theatrical cause!

Academy Award-winning stage and screen star Tim Robbins is vocally opposing a new referendum to end the 99-Seat Theatre Plan in Los Angeles with a passionate essay explaining his points now available to view.

Robbins writes, "At the Actors' Gang, the theater company where I'm the artistic director, we put 70% of our annual budget into our actors' pockets. We pay them for their work on tour with our productions, in staffing positions, as teachers in our school programs and as facilitators in our prison outreach programs. Most started as volunteers and now earn far above minimum wage."

Also, Robbins relates, "As much as I support paying actors, I oppose Actors' Equity's attempt to end the 99-Seat Theatre Plan, which allows union members to work for a stipend in small theater productions. The union has cleverly spun this as a demand for minimum wage. In my opinion it is far more complicated than that. I oppose this referendum in recognition of my roots, and in support of companies that are what the Actors' Gang was 33 years ago: scrappy little companies with actors who want to do real theater in the midst of a film and television town, actors who want to keep their acting muscles toned, play parts against racial and gender stereotypes, work with like-minded colleagues, create ensembles and, yes, reap the benefits if an agent or director or casting director happens to get excited by their performances."

Robbins concludes, "Theater actors should be paid way above minimum wage. And governments should vigorously support the arts to make that happen, as should the private sector and the unions. But until that unicorn flies, we all have the right to volunteer our services and our talent if we choose. Equity members: Make art! Sing loud! Vote no!"

Check out the complete essay here.