Author Topic: Excluded from Opening Night Tickets  (Read 4544 times)

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thankyou5

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Excluded from Opening Night Tickets
« on: Feb 05, 2010, 01:22 pm »
So here's my situation.  I'm working on a Mini Contract for a commercial production at a small venue (62 seats).  I was informed this morning that the PSM and myself (ASM), are not being offered tickets to Opening Night, however all of the members of the cast (5) have been offered tickets.  All of the Actors, PSM, and myself are AEA.  The Mini Rule Book states: Each Actor shall receive no less than 4 complimentary tickets, subject to availability, during the run of the Production.

What are your thoughts?  Is there any way I can argue this with the GM or AEA?

This is a pretty hot button issue for me...Producers/GM's treating Actors separate from Stage Managers.  It also doesn't help that is is my first Opening Night in NYC.

loebtmc

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Re: Excluded from Opening Night Tickets
« Reply #1 on: Feb 05, 2010, 01:30 pm »
capital A Actors includes stage management - it's in the definition page of every rule book

MatthewShiner

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Re: Excluded from Opening Night Tickets
« Reply #2 on: Feb 05, 2010, 03:45 pm »
But, per the contract it doesn't say to opening, it's during the run - so, although it's rotten to say you can't use them to opening . . . it seems to be within the rules.
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VSM

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Re: Excluded from Opening Night Tickets
« Reply #3 on: Feb 05, 2010, 03:48 pm »
Perhaps you could have a conversation with the GM and let them know it is your understanding that capitol "A" Actors means actors and stage managers and you have put in a call to Equity to get their take on it. And then DO call the Business Rep and get a clarification about the run versus opening night.
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missliz

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Re: Excluded from Opening Night Tickets
« Reply #4 on: Feb 05, 2010, 03:57 pm »
But, per the contract it doesn't say to opening, it's during the run - so, although it's rotten to say you can't use them to opening . . . it seems to be within the rules.

But opening IS within the run. Also, the tickets are "subject to availability," and clearly they're available or they wouldn't have offered them to the actors. Right?
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MatthewShiner

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Re: Excluded from Opening Night Tickets
« Reply #5 on: Feb 05, 2010, 04:15 pm »
Yes, but as it is a commercial run, the producers have a right to decide when those comps are "available".  Yes, it's dirty and rotten to make them available to the cast and not the SM, and you should talk to your rep about it, if the GM is not open to having the discussion with you.  But the reality is, it doesn't seem to be break the rule, as long as you are give the opportunity to have 4 comps at some point during the run.
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On_Headset

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Re: Excluded from Opening Night Tickets
« Reply #6 on: Feb 05, 2010, 04:46 pm »
Quote
Each Actor shall receive no less than 4 complimentary tickets, subject to availability, during the run of the Production.
Especially in smaller venues, there are occasionally openings where no seats are sold to the general public: everyone in the audience is either comped or part of a special class (think platinum-level special-access subscribers). Just because they've found comps for some of the cast and crew doesn't mean there's any remaining availability: those comps might have filled it right up.

Rebbe

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Re: Excluded from Opening Night Tickets
« Reply #7 on: Feb 06, 2010, 10:01 am »
But the reality is, it doesn't seem to be break the rule, as long as you are give the opportunity to have 4 comps at some point during the run.
I have to agree with this.  I think it is worth asking the GM, or whoever is a step up from you in the chain of command, if it is possible to extend the opening night ticket offer to SM staff as well.  Ask them why they're doing this, and give them the benefit of the doubt; it may be they just didn’t think of that, rather than that they are purposefully excluding you. 

I once had reserved opening night tickets for a show I was working on, but my guests arrived to find out their tickets had already been given away.  It was pretty annoying, but on the other hand, I remind myself that opening night is often not the best performance of the run, and it’s nice to have friends come when I’m rested and the show is tight.
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thankyou5

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Re: Excluded from Opening Night Tickets
« Reply #8 on: Feb 06, 2010, 05:32 pm »
Hi All!

Thanks for your thoughts. 

My thoughts were along the lines of many of yours. 

I spoke with the GM and I have been placed at the top of the waiting list.  If someone cancels or chooses not to use their Opening Night Ticket then I will receive it.  It's a compromise at least.

 

riotous