Caesars Palace Times Square Casino Resort Would Provide Broadway Bridge Jobs
The bridge jobs could help Broadway performers and crew while between jobs
The bridge jobs could help Broadway performers and crew while between jobs.
Caesars Palace Times Square, a joint proposal from Manhattan real estate giant SL Green, Caesars Entertainment, Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, and Ticketmaster owner Live Nation Entertainment, revealed this week that it would be willing to offer temporary jobs to Broadway actors and crew workers while between shows.
The Need for Bridge Jobs
Too often, actors and stage managers are forced to piece together work just to survive between productions,” said Al Vincent Jr, executive director of the Actors’ Equity Association. “This collaboration with Caesars Palace Times Square creates new opportunities for our members to support themselves without leaving their professional community. That’s the kind of responsive, community-oriented solution we need.”
Partnership with Local 802
Along with the Actors’ Equity Association, Caesars Palace Times Square is partnering with Local 802, a union that represents professional musicians in New York. Caesars, if its casino ambition comes to the Times Square stage, would conduct monthly job fairs for Broadway union members.
A Call for Community Support
“Our musicians are the heartbeat of Broadway, but when a show closes or a tour ends, they’re often left in limbo,” said Robert Suttmann, Local 802 president. “These recurring job fairs will offer meaningful work that respects their skills, schedules, and dignity. We appreciate the Caesars Palace Times Square team’s willingness to meet with us directly and work on programs that directly benefit our members.”
The Casino Debate Rages On
Allowing a multibillion-dollar casino resort in the heart of Times Square has divided much of Manhattan. That lends to the many interests in the immediate area surrounding 1515 Broadway, the longtime home of Viacom/CBS, owned by SL Green.
Pros and Cons of the Proposal
Caesars Palace Times Square is one of eight bids seeking one of the three available downstate New York casino licenses. If the plan is greenlit, it would become only the second casino facility deemed worthy by Caesars Entertainment to hold a Caesars Palace marquee.
The No Times Square Casino Coalition has the support of numerous Broadway-related groups, including the Entertainment Community Fund (formerly the Actors Fund), The Broadway League, The Shubert Organization, and Audience Awards. Several iconic restaurants are opposed as well, including Sardi’s and Joe Allen.
Economic Benefits
The would-be developers of Caesars Palace Times Square claim the gaming, hospitality, and entertainment destination would benefit the entire area with more than 3,000 construction positions, 3,800 permanent jobs, $7 billion in direct tax revenue during its first decade in business, and $26.7 billion in local economic activity during that same timeframe.
Conclusion
Caesars Palace Times Square is a proposed $5.4 billion development that would provide bridge jobs for Broadway workers when between gigs. While there are pros and cons to the proposal, it’s clear that this project has the potential to create new opportunities for performers and crew members alike.