How Walter Brandes Plans to Storm the Barricades of Actors’ Equity

Yesterday I became privy to an email that went out on Glory’s List that was actually copied from a string of posts on the website of the Oberon Theatre Ensemble. One of its members, Walter Brandes, is running to become an officer of Actors’ Equity, and it would seem that all the frustration that the independent/Off-Off-Broadway community perpetually feels with its union is being given some much needed sunshine and debate. Basically, if everyone in the sector bands together — and given, it seems, what a lackluster voting there is within Actors’ Equity — Brandes might actually win. And perhaps, in that way, change could begin from the inside, which is where it should come from in the first place.

I communicated with Brandes yesterday and again this morning, because the person who sent me the posting from Glory’s List didn’t want to be identified, and I didn’t want to just publish the posting without asking for Brandes’ ok. And he has now given me permission not only to post what he wrote on Oberon’s site, but what he wrote to me in his email as well. So, first his post on Oberon’s site and on Glory’s List:

Hi All,

So I got my AEA election ballot in the mail and was really struck that all individuals nominated are Broadway people……basically…..these are people that are not struggling to get acting work. They have agents that can get them gigs backed by high-paying producers. Maybe one nominee has a showcase code as the type of contracts they have worked under.

This made me think that maybe my union is not properly supporting me because officers represent the successful 2%  because they fall into that category. We need an officer who’s base makes up a majority of the actors. One who understands that it is to be unrepresented re agents and managers. One that spearheads efforts in their own company to CREATE ART!

I would like all AEA actors who get this to enter my name in the blank section of the ballot. If we post on GlorysList and Facebook, maybe we can get a ton of other AEA people to do the same. Which position? EVERY SINGLE ONE! Whatever it takes to get us in.

We need a voice in this union. The AEA polls are so poorly voted upon that maybe our numbers can actually take this election by storm.

Get your ballot and begin penciling me in — if you don’t have one…..call AEA.

Walter Brandes
Literary Manager
Oberon Theatre Ensemble
walterbrandes.com
walterbrandes.voice123.com

To read more about Walter Brandes and what he plans to do, visit The Clyde Fitch Report.