St. Gregory’s University alumnus Jess W. Speaker, III was elected this year to the Council of Actors’ Equity Association, the union representing professional actors and stage managers in the United States. Speaker was elected to serve for five years in a stage manager seat in the Eastern region.
“I am very excited be a leader in my union,” Speaker said. “People don’t understand the value of a union to performing artists. Equity provides basic benefits that are vital to survival in an industry where you work from job to job, changing employers every 6-10 weeks.”
Speaker said there are major concerns facing Equity, including health care and the increasing use of the internet by producers to promote their shows.
“The current state of the economy has greatly impacted the business of live theatre,” he said. “Theatres are struggling across the country due to a decrease in donors and investors. When a theatre closes, not only do people lose their jobs, but it hurts many businesses in that neighborhood. Theatre is an economic multiplier and therefore vital to our communities large and small.”
Speaker is starting his second year as the area liaison for the Washington D.C./ Baltimore area, and he also serves on several regional and national committees. Speaker has been a part of contract negotiations with major theatres on the East Coast.
The council is Equity’s ultimate decision-making body, particularly regarding policy, finance and appeals. It also has the authority to adopt rules supplementing the constitution and by-laws. The council defines the authority and duties and oversees the actions of regional boards and committees.
Speaker said one of the “perks” of his newly elected position is being a voter for the annual Tony Awards. Throughout the season, he will be given tickets to shows as they open on Broadway. After the nominations are announced, he will have the opportunity to cast his vote to honor outstanding work on Broadway.
Speaker received his bachelor’s degree in humanities in 2001. While at SGU, he was a member of the Buckley Team, Student Government Association, Delta Epsilon Sigma, and he founded the SGU chapter of Alpha Psi Omega. Speaker was the recipient of the Pat Snider Scholarship for Excellence in Theatre and was the 2001 Outstanding Senior in Fine Arts.
SHAWNEE, Okla. —
