AEA as PA

[MatthewShiner]

I am trying to wrap my head around this. 

I have recently received someone applying for a PA position that already has their AEA card.  I know that a lot of young SMs in NYC, will PA on shows and it's fine.  But for some reason, I can not wrap my head around this at the LORT level. 

Does anyone have any insight into this?  Have you done this before?  Does it work or not work?  (I am not just talking about the rules, but also just the psychology of the situation?)  I think someone just needs me to help get past my own personal hangups about this.

[VSM]

IMHO it's the danger of crossing over the line and doing SM work.
Follow your gut, you're the one holding the rolaids...

[Beatr79]

I did this once.  By the 3rd day of rehearsal, the PSM had negotiated with the producer to give me a proper Equity contract, because I was doing the work of an ASM.  It worked out nicely for me...I got huge salary increase from the PA pay, overtime, my health weeks, and I got to run the deck for the entirety of the run. Of course, then we didn't have an actual PA for most of rehearsals, so I dabbled in both...making coffee and running errands while tracking props and calling the shops with modifications. 

To answer Matthew's question about the psychology of doing this, of being willing to work "beneath" myself:  I volunteered for the position when a PSM that I've worked with told me he was looking to fill the slot.  It was a huge musical with lots of scenery, I had never worked on such a big show, and wanted a chance to see "how it was done".  I had worked on musicals before, but none were so complicated.  In all honesty, I didn't have the confidence in myself to think I could pull it off as an assistant.  I was actually really excited to watch tech from the house, watch the PSM run tech and assist with his end of things.  Since going Equity, I had always been an ASM, and therefore, felt a little removed from the FOH experience of tech.  I saw it as a great learning opportunity, and a way to metaphorically get my feet wet on a huge show. 

[jspeaker]

I too was shocked when I heard this.

At Papermill I was told I could hire an AEA member as a production assistant but many times it is difficult to find AEA members who are willing to do it.  I know several Equity members who have been offered rehearsal PA gigs for Broadway shows.

I know what you are thinking and going through... been there done that!

[KMC]

This could also be someone who took their equity card too early and is having trouble finding work.

[rvhead]

I have done a couple of gigs as a PA even after having my Equity card for many years. Sometimes, a stage manager ends up with a few weeks free between close of one show and the start of the next, and being a rehearsal PA can be a good way to earn a little income between contracts, as well as making connections with new theatres and even picking up a tip or two from another stage manager.

[jspeaker]

This could also be someone who took their equity card too early and is having trouble finding work.

Not necessarily.  It could be for a variety of reasons.  To get some experience working with a certain company, PSM director, GM.  Actually one of the best assistants I have ever had was offered a PA gig for a Broadway show.

[nmno]

The only time I have worked as a PA once I had my card was for a pre-Broadway engagement.  I knew the Associate Director so got hooked into it thru him, I was between gigs needing something to keep me busy and looking to network, build contacts etc. 
Has this person worked on an AEA contract at a LORT - maybe they got their card on some lesser contract and are trying to break into LORT?  or are new to the area and trying to make contacts?  or is it someone who perhaps has been away from SMing for a bit and looking to ease their way back in?  Maybe it's worth asking to find out his/her specific reason.

[VSM]

It becomes really tricky in the LORT world when there is not an Equity ASM in place.
The Equity "P.A." then naturally does the work of the ASM without benefit of the contract showing 2 things:
One - That the work is valid and needs to be done
Two - There are AEA individuals willing to do it without benefit of contract

Kinda like shooting ourselves in the foot...

[Jessie_K]

It becomes really tricky in the LORT world when there is not an Equity ASM in place.
The Equity "P.A." then naturally does the work of the ASM without benefit of the contract showing 2 things:
One - That the work is valid and needs to be done
Two - There are AEA individuals willing to do it without benefit of contract

Kinda like shooting ourselves in the foot...

I don't believe those specific issues apply in this case.  There is an AEA ASM in place on this contract.

In the job posting that Matthew put on this site, it was mentioned that the position is an non-equity stage management slot.  In my opinion, this would disqualify an AEA ember from holding that position.

Ask the business rep though, they might have dealt with this in the past.

[Scott]

My impression is that this happens a lot at the Broadway/Production contract  level.