In the past few weeks, with the negotiations between the Broadway League, Actors' Equity Association, and AFM Local 802 for a new work contract (and a potential strike) making headlines, it's had many Playbill readers wondering: What is a Broadway theatre?

Well, there's a simple answer and a more complex one. The simple answer is there are 41 theatres located between 41st Street and 54th Street in Manhattan (as well as Lincoln Center Theater's Vivian Beaumont on 65th Street) that are designated by the Broadway League as Broadway theatres. Any shows produced in those 41 theatres are eligible for a Tony Award. 

But what gives those 41 theatres that coveted Broadway label? Scroll down for a very in-depth explanation. 

Broadway theatres first differentiate themselves from Off-Broadway and Off-Off-Broadway via seat capacity. Broadway theatres have 500 or more seats, Off-Broadway theatres generally have 100 to 499 seats, and Off-Off-Broadway theatres are under 99 seats.

But there are some theatres in New York with 500-plus seats that aren't considered Broadway theatres even though they produce plays and musicals—such as the Apollo, Town Hall, Park Avenue Armory, New York City Center, and Brooklyn Academy of Music. Meanwhile, shows that once played on Broadway but then go on the road are considered touring productions—they're not eligible for a Tony Award unless they play in one of the 41 Broadway theatres (such as our current "revivals" of Mamma Mia! and Beetlejuice).

And shows that are aiming for Broadway, but have their first production in a regional theatre are considered regional try-outs. Even if they have Broadway-caliber production value, they are not considered a Broadway show until they play in a Broadway theatre.

What gets trickier is that for every requirement that exists for a theatre to be designated Broadway, the final word goes to the Broadway League, via their co-administering (with the American Theatre Wing) and setting eligibility requirements for the Tony Awards. The League—whose membership comprises Broadway producers and theatre owners—has to also officially designate a venue as being Broadway. This is how you can get situations like LCT's Beaumont being outside of the main Broadway district, or even non-Broadway venues within that district that meet all the other requirements, like Radio City Music Hall or Town Hall.

And that brings us to another key component of a Broadway theatre: work contracts. To be considered a Broadway show, a production needs to abide by the work standards set aside by the 13 different unions whose members work on Broadway. For instance, to hire union actors, a Broadway production needs to follow the Production Contract, which stipulates the pay, health insurance benefits, and other work requirements as set by Actors Equity Association. Other unions, such as the musicians union (AFM Local 802) and stagehands union (IATSE Local One), also have specific Broadway contracts. There are also separate work contracts for Off-Broadway, tours, and regional theatres. 

But overall, Broadway shows tend to pay some of the highest salaries in the theatre industry. Don't get too excited, though—when thinking about Broadway salaries, it's always important to remember that the vast majority of people working in the professional theatre are not working (or at least not working the same show) for 52 weeks of the year.

Exceptions exist here, as well. While a majority of Broadway shows are commercial productions, there are five Broadway theatres owned by non-profit theatre companies, meaning their income is supplemented by government grants, subsidies, and tax deductible donations). That means the actors and stage managers who work for the not-for-profit theatres (Lincoln Center Theater, Roundabout Theatre Company, Second Stage Theatre, and Manhattan Theatre Club) work on a separate contract known as LORT, which is essentially like a top-tier regional theatre. Currently running Broadway tours who make a stop in New York (such as Mamma Mia! or Beetlejuice) can also keep their actors on a Broadway touring contract, known as the Touring Agreement. In these cases, the Broadway run is considered a "stop" on the tour.

In short, when it comes to what is considered a Broadway theatre, the answer is surprisingly complicated. But if you really want a good rule of thumb: To know if something you're interested in is a Broadway show, just check which theatre it's playing in. If that theatre is considered a Broadway theatre, then you can safely consider yourself a Broadway baby.