Performing Arts Trade Associations

Actors' Equity Association (AEA)

U.S. labor union representing professional stage actors and stage managers; negotiates wages and working conditions and administers benefits across Broadway, touring, and regional theatres.

https://www.actorsequity.org Membership: 51,000

American Federation of Musicians (AFM)

The largest union of professional musicians in the U.S. and Canada; bargains contracts, protects recording and performance rights, and provides benefits and career resources.

https://www.afm.org Membership: 80,000

American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA)

Union for opera, dance, and choral performance workers (singers, dancers, staging staff, stage managers); organizes companies nationwide and negotiates industry standards.

https://www.musicalartists.org Membership: 7,000

American Guild of Variety Artists (AGVA)

Union representing variety entertainers in live venues (theme parks, circuses, cabarets, club acts) and stage managers in the variety field; negotiates CBAs and administers welfare benefits.

https://agvausa.com Membership: 2,182

Association of Performing Arts Professionals (APAP)

National service, advocacy, and membership organization for the presenting/booking/touring field; convenes the APAP|NYC conference and provides year‑round programs and resources.

https://apap365.org Membership: 1,600

Chamber Music America (CMA)

National network for small‑ensemble (chamber) professionals across classical, jazz, and new music; offers grants, an annual conference, and professional resources.

https://chambermusicamerica.org Membership: 6,000

Chorus America

Advocacy, research, and leadership organization for the choral field; serves choruses and choral leaders with training, resources, and an annual conference.

https://chorusamerica.org Membership: 6,000

International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE)

North American labor union for backstage technicians and craftspeople in live entertainment, film/TV, broadcast, and tradeshows; negotiates contracts and provides training and benefits.

https://www.iatse.net Membership: 168,000

International Association of Blacks in Dance (IABD)

Preeminent service organization for Black Dance; provides programs, advocacy, networking, and resources for companies, artists, educators, and presenters.

https://www.iabdassociation.org Membership: 1,100

International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM)

Global association for venue professionals; members include leaders of performing arts centers, arenas, stadiums, and convention facilities with education, advocacy, and networking.

https://iavm.org Membership: 7,800

League of American Orchestras

National organization serving orchestras and their communities through advocacy, research, leadership development, convenings, and grants.

https://americanorchestras.org Membership: 2,000

League of Historic American Theatres (LHAT)

Network dedicated to sustaining and advancing historic theatres; offers peer advisory reviews, insurance programs, conferences, and an active member forum.

https://www.lhat.org Membership: 395

National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT)

Alliance of musical theatre producers, presenters, and educators; produces the annual Festival of New Musicals and funds new‑work development.

https://namt.org Membership: 210

National Independent Venue Association (NIVA)

Trade association uniting independent venues, promoters, and festivals across all 50 states; provides advocacy, member services, and an annual industry conference.

https://www.nivassoc.org Membership: 1,500

OPERA America

Member‑led service and advocacy organization for the opera field; supports artists and companies, runs the National Opera Center, and convenes the Opera Conference.

https://www.operaamerica.org Membership: 600

Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC)

National labor union for stage directors and choreographers; bargains contracts across Broadway and regional theatres and advances members’ rights and standards.

https://sdcweb.org Membership: 3,400

The Broadway League

The official trade association of the Broadway industry; its 700+ members include theatre owners, producers, presenters, and general managers nationwide.

https://www.broadwayleague.com Membership: 700

United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829 (IATSE)

Designers’ and artists’ union (IATSE Local USA 829) covering scenic, costume, lighting, sound, and projection designers, scenic artists, and coordinators in live and screen media.

https://www.usa829.org Membership: 5,000

United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT)

Professional association for theatre and live‑entertainment design and technology; offers education, standards participation, and the USITT Conference & Stage Expo.

https://www.usitt.org Membership: 2,915

Theatre Communications Group (TCG)

National organization for nonprofit theatre; connects and supports member theatres, publishes American Theatre magazine, and conducts research and advocacy.

https://tcg.org Membership: 472