Disney performers’ return expected
On-site public COVID-19 testing will be available on Disneyowned property this week, possibly clearing the way for many actors, dancers and stunt people to return to work — and thereby restoring some of Disney’s most popular shows to its theme parks.
“We have been consistent that testing is an important part of ensuring a safe workplace for Equity performers, and today, I’m pleased to see that Disney World has agreed,” said Kate Shindle, president of Actors’ Equity Association,
which represents about 750 Disney performers.
Disney, however, said the new testing site was the result of ongoing discussions with the state of Florida and unrelated to its talks with Equity.
“We have offered the location to help with community testing, and any suggestion that this has been done as a result of any one union is unfounded,” said Disney spokeswoman Jacquee Wahler. “The Florida Division of Emergency Management will operate the location, which is available to Cast Members and their immediate families, as well as Florida residents. Our actions support all cast and our community at large.”
Disney refers to all its employees, whether they work as performers or not, as cast members.
In any case, the news that testing would be available on Disney property
led the actors’ union to sign a memorandum about returning to work, a condition that Disney had successfully demanded of other unions whose members work for the company.
“With the news that Disney will make testing available for Equity performers and others in the park, I’m happy to announce that Equity’s executive committee has signed a memorandum of understanding with Disney for Equity performers to return,” Shindle said in a statement Wednesday evening.
The union, which represents more than 51,000 professional actors and stage managers nationwide, had been locked in a dispute with Disney over performer safety for more than a month.
Affected performers — many who have gone without paychecks for months — said they were grateful for the progress.
“I am beyond excited to hear the news that AEA has signed the memorandum of understanding and look forward to the possibility of continuing to create magic for guests at Walt Disney World,” said Disney performer Billy Flanigan. “My prayers have been answered
that this dispute is over, and I am anxiously waiting for the call to go back to work.”
It remains unclear when that will be, however. In recent weeks, the themepark company had begun repurposing some stages that formerly housed shows with Equity-represented actors, replacing “Beauty and the Beast — Live on Stage” with concerts, for example. Other stages have remained dark.
Talks between Disney and Actors’ Equity will continue, Wahler said.
“We’re going to have to continue our conversations with them about what’s next in our phased reopening,” she said.
Disney’s theme parks, which closed in March, reopened in July with limited attendance. Parades, fireworks, some attractions and shows, as well as many restaurants and shops, are still unavailable.
The new testing site, opening this week, will be at Disney’s administrative complex at 3010 Maingate Lane in Kissimmee, off U.S. 192. The testing will be handled by eTrueNorth, which runs COVID-19 test sites in several states in a publicprivate partnership. Results of the drive-through tests, which will be self-administered with a nasal swab from inside the car, are expected in three to five business days.
The site will be open from 7 a.m.-4 p.m. daily beginning Aug. 14. Appointments are required at DoINeedACovid19 Test.com. Disney employees and their families may make appointments at DisneyCovid19Test.com.
An email sent to Disney workers stated the test site would have a lane reserved for Disney employees and their immediate families, as well as contract workers.
“As a reminder, testing is voluntary and Cast Members will not be paid for testing time,” the email stated.
“Local cast members under the umbrella of Actors Equity Association are thrilled” by the addition of the testing site and the resulting action by the union, said Disney World performer Preston Ellis, who hoped it would “signal the return of many of our colleagues to their stages.”
But he said that Disney’s decreased revenue meant he could only be cautiously optimistic.
“It’s unclear just how many of us will return and in which venues,” he said. In an earnings report this month, Disney announced it lost $2 billion from the coronavirus shutdown. The company later said it would reduce park operating hours this fall.
The ongoing labor dispute with performers played out through coverage in major news outlets and messily on social media posts, some of which drew the ire of Equity members who wished to return to work and disapproved of their union’s Disney-bashing tactics.
But the union held firm that COVID testing was a top priority, something it also has demanded in reopening traditional theaters. The dispute with Disney had reached the grievance stage after Disney canceled return-to-work orders for Equity members in June when the union originally refused to sign the memorandum of understanding because it didn’t include provisions for testing. In July, the union arranged for emergency funds to help about 250 of its out-of-work Disney members.
“I wanted to be sure you had heard the news: Walt Disney World is opening an on-site COVID testing center!” stated an upbeat email message sent to Equity members on Wednesday evening. “With this critical addition to the safety protocols Disney has previously agreed to provide, there are no barriers keeping Disney from re-initiating the recall process — not even their own insistence on a signed [memorandum of understanding]. We are hopeful that recalls will begin shortly.”
“It’s unclear just how many of us will return and in which venues.”
Preston Ellis, Disney World performer