Author Topic: A dance gig vs. Equity  (Read 10780 times)

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Beatr79

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A dance gig vs. Equity
« on: Nov 01, 2007, 10:36 pm »
I've worked for a LORT theatre that, during the summer, brings in a dance production.  The theatre staffs the production (all tech: crew, stage management, etc are paid through the theatre payroll). I've been offered a job for next summer, but wonder: is it legit for me to work as an SM on said show?  I know Equity doesn't have jurisdiction over dance, but, since the theatre itself is Equity (and the producer, or at least, co-producer) ...it seems a little murky. 

I know, I know.  Call Equity.  In all honesty, I don't want to raise eyebrows if this is an already acceptable situation. 

centaura

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Re: A dance gig vs. Equity
« Reply #1 on: Nov 02, 2007, 12:44 pm »
What is the precedent at the theatre?  Is this something that they do every summer and use the main season's SM for?  If it is, your question might have been asked before, or there might be an exemption on file somewhere.

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jmillbran

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Re: A dance gig vs. Equity
« Reply #2 on: Nov 06, 2007, 12:52 am »
You are correct that Equity has no jurisdiction over dance, so it doesn't matter who is producing it.  It is as if another company entirely were involved, as far as Equity is concerned.  They just want to make sure you aren't doing any non-union theatre work for the producer.  Whatever else you do for the producers is between you and them.

I do a bunch of things at my theatre that are academic-related: supervise student SM's for undergraduate shows, help load-ins of road shows and the like.  Equity doesn't mind.  But if I were to call cues or run a tech or take blocking for a theatre piece, I'd be in violation, and AEA would be right to give me a swift kick in the boot for my stupidity.

Bottom line is, you're on safe ground (in my experience).
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BalletPSM

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Re: A dance gig vs. Equity
« Reply #3 on: Nov 06, 2007, 09:43 pm »
Hmm....this is an interesting topic...please feel free to split this if you don't think it really jives with the OP.

so....if I were to, say, get a gig next summer that was an equity gig, and they wanted me badly enough to give me my card -- could i continue to do my full-time work at the ballet company during the season because it is dance (but NOT union), but still have that equity card, and in the off-season go do equity shows?? 

Stage managing is getting to do everything your mom told you not to do - read in the dark, sit too close to the TV, and play with the light switches!

Scott

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Re: A dance gig vs. Equity
« Reply #4 on: Nov 06, 2007, 10:05 pm »
Hmm....this is an interesting topic...please feel free to split this if you don't think it really jives with the OP.

so....if I were to, say, get a gig next summer that was an equity gig, and they wanted me badly enough to give me my card -- could i continue to do my full-time work at the ballet company during the season because it is dance (but NOT union), but still have that equity card, and in the off-season go do equity shows?? 



Yes.

LisaEllis

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Re: A dance gig vs. Equity
« Reply #5 on: Nov 06, 2007, 11:26 pm »
AEA has no jurisdiction over dance or opera, because AGMA does.  AGMA allows its members to take non-union work, particularly in a right-to-work state.

If you're already an AGMA member (I don't know where else you've done dance) you can join Equity at a discounted rate.  And vice versa.  4A's and all that sister union stuff...

BalletPSM

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Re: A dance gig vs. Equity
« Reply #6 on: Nov 07, 2007, 06:50 am »
Wow.....that's really good to know...may change what I was thinking about doing next summer and season...

thanks guys!!
Stage managing is getting to do everything your mom told you not to do - read in the dark, sit too close to the TV, and play with the light switches!

Beatr79

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Re: A dance gig vs. Equity
« Reply #7 on: Nov 07, 2007, 10:02 am »
To address Centura's question: they have used Equity SMs in the past. 

Thanks to all who have posted.  With this discussion in mind, I'm going to take the work without contacting Equity, since it seems to be a kosher situation.  What a relief that I can take the job! 

VSM

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Re: A dance gig vs. Equity
« Reply #8 on: Nov 07, 2007, 11:50 am »
Not everyone agrees with the previous opinions about Union jurisdiction. One could argue that AEA and AGMA are both sister unions in the AFL-CIO which prohibits it's members from working without a union contract in another's jurisdiction - AEA members may not work AGMA jobs without the proper AGMA contract and vice versa. And obviously, one could not take non-union work in another arena while remaining a member of another union and consequently, the AFL-CIO. Union members work Union.
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LisaEllis

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Re: A dance gig vs. Equity
« Reply #9 on: Nov 07, 2007, 11:47 pm »
One could make such arguments, but I think it would be difficult to defend on the basis of precedent.

I know several folks who are AEA and AGMA, but take non-union dance and opera work at times.  What do you think is the "proper AGMA contract"?  Unfortunately, AGMA does not always include us in the bargining agreements, and/or pursue agreements with mid-level companies.  That leaves a very small pool of union companies to work for. 

That said, I know AGMA is working on some of those issues, but it is a long, slow process.

So, if you're working in opera or dance; and AGMA does not have an exisiting bargining agreement with that producer; and AGMA does not prohibit non-union work amongst its members; then you're not violating any agreements.  Where's the conflict of interest?

Again, on the basis of precedent, I think you'd have a hard time supporting a case. 

VSM

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Re: A dance gig vs. Equity
« Reply #10 on: Nov 10, 2007, 11:18 am »
My question now becomes "Why does AGMA NOT prohibit non-union work amongst it's members?"
Supposedly, a Union member should not be working without a contract in any of the 4-A's unions, so where do you get your info that AGMA does not enforce this rule?
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Amy877

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Re: A dance gig vs. Equity
« Reply #11 on: Nov 13, 2007, 12:35 pm »
We get that information from our AGMA constitution.  There is nothing that specifically prohibits AGMA members from working at non-AGMA houses.  Nor is there a system to penalize those that take work at a non-AGMA house.  Nor is there any anecdotal evidence that there has ever been a stage manager or performer penalized for taking non-AGMA dance or opera work.  In fact, it is VERY common practice to do so. 

Why don't they prohibit it?  Probably because there are not anywhere near enough AGMA organized houses to support its membership.  Once there are, the union may change its policy.


Jessie_K

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Re: A dance gig vs. Equity
« Reply #12 on: Jan 17, 2008, 08:57 pm »


Why don't they prohibit it?  Probably because there are not anywhere near enough AGMA organized houses to support its membership.  Once there are, the union may change its policy.



Also, I know several dance companies that are AGMA but do not have union stage managers as part of their agreement.  This is because frequently dance SMs are required to take on non-SM duties in addition to calling shows and other typical SM duties.

In my experience as an AGMA and AEA member, though the unions be sisters, they are quite different.  There are far fewer AGMA SMs out there than AEA SMs and far fewer AGMA SM jobs than AEA jobs. It would not make sense for AGMA to prevent their members from working outside the unions, people would (might) not join.