This season, I have worked either as an SM-light OP or a sound OP for every single show at my current theatre, and I'm already scheduled to work the season opener for next year. Due to staffing changes, I've also become the house technician, carpenter, and main event/rental tech - any time we rent out the space, for a movie, concert, church service, or awards show, I'm usually the one running lights and opening/locking up the space. But while I'm happy to have a semi-steady job (as steady as an SM gig is going to get without signing a full season contract), I'm growing frustrated over my constantly having to explain myself and my job to cast after cast and director after director - sometimes also having to explain my crew's jobs. Since it's a Latino theatre, most of the artists are from Spanish-speaking countries, where apparently they don't have SMs but have an Assistant Director during rehearsals and a show-caller during the shows.
Not only do I have to explain myself, but I also am not given the space to do so and have to awkwardly take it. For example, in first rehearsal we usually say names and a bit about ourselves, the director explains their hopes for the work, and instead of me having the space to introduce myself properly, give out my wallet cards, share non-phone ways I'm available (I'm not paying for international calls out of pocket every time someone's late), and the like, the director goes straight to rehearsal things. I'm rarely given the space to even say my name if I don't awkwardly take up that space and interrupt someone.
I think these international performers and creatives see me as some sort of intern or student, taking copious amounts of notes out of a sense of wonder for the industry. I have gotten lip from people for going over the next day's schedule before they're released ("Well, well, well, Ártemis, it's 3 o'clock. Why aren't we doing scene 3?"), for being the one giving breaks and calling them back after, for reminding them of their blocking, for giving line notes... The list goes on, and it doesn't get better with time because the casts are new every time, and we hire Spanish-speaking artists from any country you can think of. The directors, though not new every time, primarily work in SM-lacking countries and are uncooperative and supportive. It's a miracle if I get to meet with them before first rehearsal when they walk in at the same time as the actors - so I can't preemptively explain my job, ask for their own preferences, and ask (beg?) them to let me properly introduce myself and distribute SM materials. This is at a theatre that had never even employed an SM until 7 or 8 years ago, and it's about to hit the 40th anniversary of its founding.
Has anyone dealt with anything similar? Any brilliant ideas to make the space I need for myself? It seems counter-intuitive to MAKE space for me rather than try to remain in the shadows, but I simply can't work if my work isn't understood and respected. Has anyone maybe worked in community theater and found similar issues? I'm incredibly frustrated that I spend the most time at the theatre (rather than the office) out of the entire theatre staff but nobody seems to value my work, experience, or skills. How can I be fulfilled at work like this?
Edited to add topic tag. - Maribeth