Casa Bonita Cast and Crew Unionizing with Equity and IATSE
Lawrence Smoot | Published on 11/1/2024
Entertainers and crew members at the Casa Bonita immersive restaurant have announced their intent to organize with Actors’ Equity Association (Equity) and the Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE). The Colorado-based restaurant is owned by “South Park” creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, who have described it as “the Disneyland of Restaurants” with “Broadway quality entertainment.” Now, the cliff divers, actors, puppeteers, magicians and other staff are seeking to join the unions that represent onstage and backstage talent at Disneyland and on Broadway. Staff cite issues like safety at work and insufficient training as core reasons for organizing. They’re also looking to secure fair pay, greater benefits and better communication between workers and management.
“Every person working in entertainment deserves the rights and protections of a union,” said IATSE Local 7 Business Agent Max Peterson in a joint press release. “Whether you work in a bar, club, theater, arena, convention center, film studio – or the most fun restaurant imaginable! The performers and crew at Casa Bonita are vital to creating the experience that so many love, and we’re proud to be collaborating with these workers and Actors’ Equity in our shared pursuit to secure fair pay, benefits and working conditions for everyone at this revered landmark.”
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