CHICAGO -- A burgeoning economy hasn't quite translated into good news for local actors. Actors Equity Association's Central Region reports that after several years of progress, contract work weeks were down for the year that ended June 30.
The Midwest region (counting 13 states and half of Ohio) amassed 40,307 weeks under all contracts in 1996-1997 compared to 42,092 for the 1995-1996 statistical year, a decline of 6.5 percent.
Locally, the news was better: The Chicago Area Theatre (CAT) contract was employed by 31 theaters, up slightly from the year before.
-- By Lawrence Bommer
Chicago Correspondent