Ok, so I'm in a showcase in NY right now (from Dallas). I am Equity (just joined granted, but have been employeed under an equity contract since February) and had to pay for all of my travel expenses and such, and have in my usual above-and-beyond manner rolled with the punches.
However, as I've been here, almost every duty of the technical director and house manager (both of whom are here seeing shows and sites daily) have fallen to me and my crew.
This has awoken an urge to review my rights as set forth by Equity. I have realized that since being employeed under contract by Equity, so many of my rights have been violated. I run lights and sound, am janitor and custodian, am unpaid and never reimbursed for several extracarricular duties imposed but not contracted.
My basic question is this: What now? Do I file a report (I have yet to receive a SM packet)? Should I go to the Equity office tomorrow while I'm here.?
He wants me to accept the position of PSM which I feel is his way of taking advantage of someone who has put forth too much effort and too little resistance.
For those who would like more specifics:
First, the Producer is technical director and often director (and is the founder as well) of my theatre in Dallas. I began working with said theatre as an actor and was asked to try a hand at SMing, was put on as an "ASM" though I was not given an Equity contract and the Equity SM (coincidentally the Producer) never attended rehearsals.
So, the first infraction is: the Producer intentionally hired someone with no training or experience stage managing. I now believe this is because I am a hard worker who never complains. No biggie, maybe.
But, here are some of the violations I have had set upon me as listed in the Equity handbook :
(1) It is agreed and understood that the function of the Stage Manager and Assistant
Stage Manager is a full time one. As such, the Stage Manager and Assistant Stage
Manager shall not be required to perform the following, unless they are contracted
and compensated separately from the Equity contract; a separate written contract
shall be made, a copy of which shall be forwarded to Equity.
...
(b) Perform the duties, which are properly those of stagehands, house
management staff or box office personnel. (I've done a great deal of all of this things, though mostly voluntarily)
(c) Design, build, hang, operate or shop for lights, sound, scenery, props or
wardrobe, etc. (I operate both light and sound and have had to purchase more than a few props)
(d) Be responsible for any aspect of laundry or dry cleaning. (one of my "weekly duties")
(2) Members of the Stage Management staff are prohibited from:
...
(d) Doing janitorial, custodial or building maintenance work including, but not
limited to, securing and locking any part of the theatre or backstage areas. (I am the janitor, for all intents and purposes)
Lastly, I have been reading up on the showcase information and now realize I was greatly misled. I was under the impression that somehow not only was I obligated to pay for this trip and perform the duties, but also that this was far from optional.
I love theatre and hold AEA in the highest regard; and so I want to keep it pure by restricting abuse, especially when it is inflicted on me and MY CREW (who have been greatly unnappreciated and underpaid [or not at all]).