The Basement Escape Room Ratifies First Union Contract

"This Is History": Sylmar’s ‘The Basement’ Ratifies First U.S. Escape Room Union Deal

Performers and Game Masters at the horror-themed venue secure higher wages and safety protocols in a landmark contract with the Actors’ Equity Association.

Marcus J. Delany

Mar 6, 2026, 8:58 AM PT · 2 min read

The Basement in Sylmar is the first U.S. escape room to operate under an Actors' Equity contract.

THE RUNDOWN

The Basement in Sylmar ratified its first union contract on March 6, 2026.
It is the first U.S. escape room to operate under Actors’ Equity Association.
Performers secured wage increases and safety standards for high-intensity physical roles.
Game Masters gained new scheduling protections and guaranteed minimum work hours.
Actors’ Equity Executive Director Al Vincent Jr. hailed the deal as a milestone.

Workers at The Basement: A Live Escape Room Experience in Sylmar, California, officially ratified their first collective bargaining agreement on Friday, March 6, 2026. This landmark deal marks the first time an escape room in the United States will operate under a union contract with the Actors’ Equity Association. The agreement follows a successful unionization effort that began in August 2023 and the company voluntarily recognized the union in October 2023, signaling a major shift for labor in the growing immersive entertainment sector.

The new contract provides significant wins for both performers and Game Masters at the popular horror-themed attraction. According to the Actors’ Equity Association, the deal includes immediate wage increases and guaranteed minimum call times for staff. Crucially, the contract establishes specific safety protocols for actors who portray abductees, ensuring protection during high-intensity, physically demanding performances that often require close contact with guests.

Brooke Shields, President of Actors’ Equity, issued a statement regarding the deal that was reported by the Los Angeles Times. The move highlights the union's ongoing strategy to organize performers in nontraditional venues. The Basement, which is operated by Dark House Entertainment, LLC, now sets a new precedent for the industry as labor movements expand into theme parks and interactive haunts.