There are differences, mostly offstage, between Broadway and regional theaters.
Both Broadway and regional theaters are capable of putting on high-caliber performances, but they have some offstage differences that may not be obvious to the average theatergoer. If you're an aspiring thespian, it may be wise to pay attention to the union status of actors in Broadway and regional theaters if you want to perform in them.
Locations
LORT Status of Theaters
LORT is an acronym for "League of Resident Theatres." It is an organization which divides theatres into different grades: "A," "B+," "B," "C" and "D." Broadway theaters are always "A," and their works are eligible for all categories of the Tony Award, which is given each year by the American Theatre Wing to honor excellence on Broadway. No theater can enter or leave the "A" grade, which is reserved for Broadway theaters. Regional theaters are divided into all the other grades based on average weekly sales of tickets over three fiscal years:Actors who perform on Broadway are almost exclusively members of the Actors' Equity Association (AEA), which is the union that protects the rights of stage actors and stage managers. Regional theaters usually employ non-union actors and, under special circumstances, union members (also known as "Equity actors"). The requirements for hiring an Equity actor are more stringent than for hiring a non-union actor, often requiring higher pay for the union actor, and regional theaters often don't have the budget to meet these demands. However, if the regional theater is willing, they can obtain a special waiver from AEA that will allow the Equity actor to work there.
Types of Shows Performed
According to Robert Falls, artistic director of the Goodman Theatre in Chicago in 2003, "New York is a place to celebrate new work rather than to originate or nurture it. That's [regional theater's] responsibility." In other words, Broadway theaters tend to produce works that will have broad appeal. Regional theaters produce popular works as well, but are more likely to have productions that are cutting-edge and avant-garde also. These works may not appeal to as many people as the typical Broadway production does.
One of the most obvious differences between Broadway and regional theaters is where they are located. "Broadway theater" refers to any of 40 professional theaters that can seat 500 people or more, located in New York City. This area is very specific. According to the union agreement ("Agreement and Rules Governing Employment in Resident Theatres"), it is in "the Broadway District, an area bounded by Fifth and Ninth Avenues from 34th Street to 56th Street and by Fifth Avenue and the Hudson River from 56th Street to 72nd Street." Regional theaters, on the other hand, can be located anywhere in the United States.
Union Status of Actors
"B+" - $110,000.00 and above
"B" - $70,000.00 to $109,999.99
"C" - $45,000.00 to $69,999.99
"D" - $44,999.99 and below
As LORT states in Rule 14 of the equity agreement: "No Theatre shall shift more than one category, up or down, in one year." This means that even if a LORT "D" theater sold 2 million tickets in one year, they would only be able to move up to the "C" category for that year. Shows performed in regional theaters are eligible for the "Best Regional Theater" Tony Award only.
