Topics

1

The Hardline / Cancelling a performance

« on: Jun 17, 2009, 01:49 pm »

A small young theatre company that I am semi-involved with is facing a dilemma. They are currently producing a one-woman show (under an AEA contract: AEA actor and Stage Manager). The audiences have been really, really small. On one particular evening, only two audience members came. The actor and SM took it upon themselves to cancel the performance that evening, and the two patrons kindly said they'd come back a different night. HOWEVER, I cannot find a single thing in the AEA rulebook allowing for an actor or SM to cancel a show (or "refuse to perform") based on low audience turnout. I understand that it is awkward to do a one-person show for just two patrons, but contractually, she's gotta do it, right? Does anyone know of a rule that allows for this?

2

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / SCHEDULING: Child Labor Laws

« on: Nov 06, 2008, 07:47 am »

What exactly are the rules when it comes to kids and tech??? I've been SMing for a long time. I've done a lot of shows with kids in the cast (I'm talking regular grown-up shows where there happen to be some kid characters, not children's theatre). In the past I've not been asked to refer to child labor laws when scheduling the kids; I've done by best to schedule them after school, but I've rehearsed them for full 8-hour days on the weekends and they've been there for all of tech (10 out of 12's). The show I am currently rehearsing has two girls (age 10 and 11) and management is insisting I follow the Illinois child labor laws: 6 hours a day, no more than 24 hours a week. It will be near impossible to go chronologically thru tech if this is the case, plus I'm caught between a rock and a hard place because the director is saying "go ahead and call them for the full day". How can I even accomplish a run-through of the show at the end of the tech process? I know for a fact other theatres in town (high profile, well known theatres) use their child actors far more than 24 hours a week, without fear of breaking any laws. How do they get away with it? What is the real story? Please help me out, and quickly -- tech is fast approaching!