The plan was designed to provide more flexibility for small theaters in Los Angeles County, which had previously been restricted by the "workshop code."
This move was well received at the time, as it allowed smaller theaters to operate more freely and enabled actors to take part in productions without the heavy restrictions that had previously existed.
[2] It was originally intended to help small theaters in Los Angeles grow by allowing them to operate with less stringent union regulations.
Actors reported being asked to provide their own costumes, build sets, and even clean the theaters, all while working long hours with little or no pay.
This sparked protests from members of the union, including actor Jon Voight, who threatened legal action.
For a time, this system remained largely unchanged, though tensions between Equity and small theater operators continued to simmer in the following decades.
[12] In 2014, Equity conducted a survey among its members and found that most believed the plan favored producers over actors, which set the stage for further discussions about its future.
[16] Although some actors and union members supported it as a necessary step toward ensuring fair compensation for performers, many theater operators feared that the wage increase would force them to close or reduce productions.