Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1546062
48 SAG-AFTRA | Summer 2026 | sagaftra.org O ne of the most celebrated wins of the 2026 TV/Theatrical Agreement was the recognition of SAG-AFTRA as the exclusive bargaining representative for choreographers. While dancers are considered principal performers under all SAG-AFTRA contracts, choreography is a new area of covered work. According to Choreographer's Guild President Kathryn Burns, a two-time Emmy-winning choreographer whose credits include Key and Peele and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, this recognition is an achievement over 90 years in the making, especially since so many of her idols from the Golden Age of Hollywood "died without credit, money or healthcare because they weren't protected in that way." A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION Choreographer Tony Gonzalez, who joined the union as a dancer in 1990, says choreographers deserve union representation because "they are just like the stunt performers, the actors, the singers, the dancers and everybody else." With a background working on The Birdcage, Wayne's World 2, The Masked Singer and others, Gonzalez was among the contingent, which included Burns, who came to SAG-AFTRA's Los Angeles headquarters on Feb. 17 to advocate for their artform during TV/Theatrical negotiations. For him, having choreography be covered work means increased safety on set and "no longer fending for ourselves." He also lauds the health and pension eligibility now available to choreographers and assistant choreographers. SAG-AFTRA National Director, Organizing, Maggie Russell-Brown says that under the newly ratified TV/Theatrical Contracts, "Choreographers will be able to become eligible for SAG-AFTRA membership under the same terms as other performers and professionals. However, regardless of membership status, all choreographers working under the TV/Theatrical Agreement will be covered under the terms of the union agreement." A MAJOR TURNING 'POINTE' Gonzalez is especially excited about what SAG-AFTRA eligibility means for the next generation of choreographers, many of them breaking into film and television work via success on TikTok. "There's a seat at the table for everyone," he says. Burns is optimistic the industry will soon realize "there's a lot of money to be made from dance." She hopes for a future where "Hollywood respects us and treats us as the powerhouse of creativity that we are." For non-choreographer SAG-AFTRA members, the inclusion of this new group is something to be celebrated, says Chief Contracts Officer Ray Rodriguez. "All our members should be excited to know that we have added to our bargaining unit," he says. "We're operating a big tent here, and we've been able to pull people in, and this is an example of that." • Have questions about what union representation means for choreographers? Email music@sagaftra.org. 5-6-7-8 Choreographers Celebrate! Choreography Is Now Covered Work in the TV/Theatrical Contracts LISA THOMPSONS-DEBEAR CHLOE WEAVER Top, two-time Emmy-winning choreographer Kathryn Burns has been a member of the union since 2011 and is credited as choreographer on over 100 projects. Above, in addition to his extensive choreography career, SAG-AFTRA member Tony Gonzalez has over 300,000 followers on TikTok.