Dexter Freeman; Worked to Improve Equity Waiver Theaters

Dexter Freeman, actor, writer and director who fought to improve working conditions in Los Angeles Equity waiver theaters (those with 99 or fewer seats). Freeman was president of the Professional Actors League (PAL), which spearheaded improvements in the small houses two decades ago. He co-founded MET Theatre, where he produced new plays and founded the Staircase Company and Workshop to train young actors. His play, “The Sky’s A-Falling” opened to enthusiastic reviews at the Court Theatre in October, 1989, and has been optioned for Broadway. On Thursday in Santa Monica after a long illness.