Actors' Equity president Shindle to advocate against cuts to federal arts funding TODAY

Kate Shindle, president of the Actors’ Equity Association, will advocate against funding cuts to the National Endowment for the Arts and answer questions at a National Press Club Newsmaker press event this morning, Thursday, March 16, at 10 a.m. in the National Press Club’s Bloomberg Room.

In his budget proposals released today, President Donald Trump has called for deep cuts in domestic programs to fund an increase in defense spending, including the complete elimination of the National Endowment for the Arts and its $149 million budget.

Shindle argues NEA grants not only create jobs in the theatre but fosters employment in restaurants, hospitality, retail and transportation in theatre districts throughout the country. The NEA funds arts programs in 16,000 communities and every Congressional district.

The Newsmaker news conference will be moderated by Doug Harbrecht, who served as a Club president in 1998 and introduced Shindle as a Club luncheon speaker when she served as Miss America that year.

The Actors’ Equity Association represents 50,000 stage actors and stage managers across the nation. Shindle, who is currently touring in the Broadway production of "Fun Home," has led the association since 2016. In addition to her work on stage, she has appeared in major motion pictures, such as “Capote.”

Contact Jamie Horwitz at (202)549.4921 or at [email protected] for more information.