Broadway actors refuse development work over profit-sharing dispute

A growing debate about compensation for theatre actors is coming to a head on Broadway. Two years ago, the original cast members who helped develop the massive hit Hamilton were upset because they weren't seeing a cut of the huge profits the show ended up making.

Earlier this week, Actors' Equity, the labour union for theatre actors, called for a strike against these development projects or "labs" as they're sometimes called. The union is demanding that performers and stage managers get a proper share of the profits from shows they help to create. This action could disrupt the development of upcoming productions on Broadway. 

Michael Paulson is the theatre reporter for The New York Times. He joins Tom Power live on the line from Oakland, California to unpack this story. 

— Produced by ​Ben Edwards