The Basement in Sylmar Makes History as First Unionized Escape Room: Actors' Equity Agreement Sets Precedent for Industry Recognition

The Basement in Sylmar Makes History as First Unionized Escape Room: Actors' Equity Agreement Sets Precedent for Industry Recognition

The Basement in Sylmar offers a chilling escape room experience where guests must outsmart a crazed serial killer by solving puzzles. The actors at The Basement, who also serve as game masters and distressed abductees, are now protected by a union. The union recently ratified its first working contract, making The Basement the only escape room with a union and collective bargaining agreement. The Actors’ Equity Assn. represents the group, ensuring higher wages, safety provisions, scheduling, and media protections for the employees.

Jenna Wagner, an actor at The Basement, emphasized the significance of the new contract in boosting morale and validating the work of the actors. The unionization of The Basement, led by founder Kayden Ressel, sets a precedent for recognizing the value of actors in the escape room industry. Ressel hopes that the finalized contract will set a standard for other escape rooms to follow.

The Basement, which opened in 2014, offers four interactive room options across 3,000 square feet, with live actors featured in three of the experiences. The attraction employs 15 people and has additional locations in Las Vegas and Kansas City, Mo. The popularity of escape rooms in the U.S. has grown steadily, with around 75 escape rooms in the L.A. area and over 2,000 nationwide.

Noah Nelson, a professor at the California Institute of the Arts, commended Actors’ Equity for recognizing the workers at The Basement and expanding its representation to nontraditional units. The union’s acknowledgment of live entertainment beyond traditional venues is seen as a positive step for the industry's overall health. Actors’ Equity has been expanding its representation to various live performers, including those in immersive entertainment experiences like escape rooms.

Actors’ Equity, founded in 1913, has broadened its scope to include performers in diverse live entertainment settings. The union’s recognition of workers in escape rooms and similar immersive experiences reflects the evolving landscape of live entertainment. The successful negotiation of a first contract at The Basement marks a historic achievement for the industry and sets a precedent for other emerging sectors seeking union representation.

In conclusion, The Basement in Sylmar has made history as the first escape room with a union and collective bargaining agreement, providing its actors with higher wages, safety measures, and other protections. The recognition of escape rooms as live entertainment spaces by Actors’ Equity signifies a positive shift in the industry, highlighting the value of performers in nontraditional venues. The union’s support for workers in immersive entertainment experiences sets a precedent for other sectors seeking union representation in the evolving landscape of live entertainment.