JOB DESCRIPTION: LAUNDRY!?!!?

[JenniferEver]

I've been working on showcases in NYC and now I've encountered an issue.

The costume designer for this show keeps trying to run it like an equity contract. I've never done a contract show, just many showcases. The designer supplied the actors with t shirts, socks, etc. The actors are now asking about laundry. I have NO idea how to handle this because I've never been invlved in a situation in which we've provided undergarments or been expected to launder them. Everyone seems to think it's my responsibility. I don't really feel that it is. I have 2 PA's. but to let them in to get the laundry I'd have to take the hour trip to the theatre anyway.

Thoughts? Also, how often does this need to be done?

[hbelden]

SMs do not do laundry.  On the one occasion when a producer told me to, I took the entire show to a drycleaners and stiffed him with a $300+ bill.  I have not had to "do laundry" since. 

Is it an AEA showcase code?  what does the code say about laundry?

Who did the costume designer think was going to do laundry?

What is your producer's position about providing someone to do laundry?  If the producer won't provide someone to do it, then you explain to your actors that the costume designer overreached a bit and they need to bring their own skin garments for performances.

The actors are right, from their point of view - if they are provided skin garments as part of their costume then they rightly expect to be provided clean ones for every performance.  I have had costumers give actors four sets of undergarments so that laundry happens once a week (after four shows).  I suspect the actors don't want you personally to do the laundry, they just need you to tell them how it's going to be done.

[BeckyGG]

When I have done Showcases in NYC with undergarments we have laundered them.  Our schedule was once a week (3 - 4 shows a week) undergarments would be washed.  My crew person would bag the laundry and a local laundromat would pick-up at the theater to do on the day off.  They would then drop it off at the theater when it was done.  On non-laundry days we would Febreez the costumes to keep them somewhat fresh.  If the company won't spring the little bit of extra money for the laundromat to pick-up the laundry is it possible to have one of your PAs take the items with them over the day off?  Or is there a way for them to get into the theater without you making the trek in?  Best of luck.

[Scott]

According to the Showcase Code: "The Stage Manager shall not be required to perform any duties not normally regarded as a function a Stage Manager."

By the terms of all Equity agreements, laundry is not normally regarded as a function of a Stage Manager.  If you were on contract, laundy would be an "additional duty" that requires payment.

I am sure Equity would back you up on this -- you should contact the Showcase rep. for Equity (sorry can't recall who it is currently).

Also, having to open the building just to let crew in to pick up laundry would seem to fall under janitorial duties, which are also not required.  You should be able to give a key copy to a wardrobe person if not one else is available to let them in to get to pickup laundry.

Are you billing yourself as a Stage Manager or a Production Stage Manager?

[malewen]

The previous posters are right - you shouldn't do the laundry.  Drop this issue into the producer's lap - maybe one of the crew people would like an extra few dollars a week to take the laundry out.  If you do end up having to do it you should get paid extra for your trouble.  Stage managers tend to be problem solvers and often we take on job responsibilities that aren't ours but you need to stand up for your rights on this one.  I haven't done a showcase in years but I never did the laundry back when I did them.  And yes, I do remember that there often aren't a lot of resources when you're doing a showcase.

[cuelight]

This is certainly something you want to take up with your producers. There's many producers out there now (or maybe it's just the ones that I know) that don't inform you of duties that they automatically expect you to perform. This can be anything from doing laundry to operating sound on small shows.

If you haven't been informed that you were expected to do laundry and it's not in your contract then you're perfectly within your right to get additional payment.

[Mac Calder]

My gut response is no. If they want the laundary to be done by you, they should be paying you a laundry allowance to take all of the garments to a laundry to get done - ie you should not have to take them home to do it - as well as for your time, and it should be a separate agreement.

[Tigerrr]

Okay, I know I'm a bit late to the party, but....

In Canada, the CTA (Canadian Theatre Agreement) specifically states that stage managers CAN be required to do laundry.  It's just that, unless it's an IA house where WB is part of the union (not necessarily true all the time), then you can't do laundry.  But it's not uncommon here.

Hmm, I suppose I should start talking to my rep, eh?