Mad Cow Theatre delinquent payments

I was PSM for "The Brother's Size" summer 2016 and still have yet to be paid the remainder of my contractual fee. I can be reached by my information still on file with the company.

I worked at Mad Cow over a month or so ago and never received payment. Never returned because I heard these (true) rumors. It's sad.

Received payment for two shows I did, two years after I did them.

This is so unfair to the local talent!

I did costumes for Rashomon in 2011. I did not receive payment until 2013. When I signed on to do the project, I was given a contract to sign by Mitzi Maxwell. She told me she would go and make a copy for me, but then never gave me that copy, though I asked several times. I realized later that I would not have a legal leg to stand on if I tried to take them to court because that contract had never been given to me. Working for Mad Cow was an extremely stressful experience that ended up costing me money, due to the fact that they hired me at the very last minute and demanded that I drive two hours from my home every night to show my progress, which only cost me time, money, and sanity. When I went to local theaters to see about renting costumes, I found that they would not rent to Mad Cow because Mad Cow had not paid previous rental fees. Mad Cow not only lets down artists, but other theaters as well, it seems. Since that time, I have warned other artists to stay away and have not gone to see a single Mad Cow show.

*It* hurts financially and emotionally-editing and reiterating.

The Cradle Will Rock, Summer 2010. At first I received radio silence for my payment requests. I was eventually paid after calls, and numerous back and forth emails, with two different contacts, in 2012.

Costume designer 2008-2009. This behavior goes back too far.

I hurts financially and emotionally. It is wrong. I love the work being done at MadCow and the people who collectively, make magic happen on stage night after night. I want to see MadCow thrive, but with correct business practices. I can't audition for you until this is rectified. If you have not yet received my letter, you will. I was paid, but not on time. I sweat just as much as my fellow AEA artists in rehearsals, yet I stood next to them as they were handed a paycheque and I was not. WRONG. I won't let that happen to me ever again. And I hope it does not happen to anyone else ever again. End this please. We are all tired and hurt by this practice.

I served as Production Manager briefly in 2006 and while I was always paid on time, it became clear right away that part of my job was going to entail putting off or lying to vendors, designers, actors, etc. about receiving payment. When I questioned these practices and appealed to upper management about how uncomfortable I was feeling, I was met with a great deal of hostility. In a very short time, it was mutually agreed that I needed to move on. It is a shame to hear that this is still happening because the caliber of artistry at Mad Cow is exceptional. I would hate to see the community lose out on such fantastic work but ethics are ethics.

No one is attacking Mad Cow Theater out of malevolence. No one is making any accusations that are not true. All we are asking is that they remain fiscally responsible for their agreements. I have heard it said that we need the type of theater (the alternative works they tend to choose). While this is true, when you do not honor your commitments, your voice is weakened as a result. Turn this around, Mad Cow. Nobody wants to see you fail. We as artists and as a community see through these statements dispersing blame and vaguely dismissing the uproar. We're all watching. We're all taking notice. Best wishes, Joshua Champion.

I worked "Death of a Salesman" and "Hair". I was paid in full, but a few months after show close and after I repeatedly asked for payment. I have met too many people who were not paid by Mad Cow. I hope they will eventually pay back all the artists who have given so much of their time to make Mad Cow the theatre it is, and prevent such problems from occurring in the future.

I stand in alliance. We deserve to be paid ON TIME, IN FULL like every other profession. This Insanity has to stop.

Performed in "The Secret Garden" in 2015, was paid close to a month after date on contract.

6 months I waited for those $83 checks they are supposed to distribute weeklu on 2 shows for Non-Equity performers. Mitzi Maxwell should be removed and the entire staff should be overhauled. I can't even believe STAFF DOES NOT EVEN GET PAID ON TIME.

I did one show in 2010 and fought for a year to get paid. Then they get most of arts funding for central Florida while other theatres suffered or fell. They need to be held accountable! Acting isn't free! Especially when your ticket price is higher than most...

The lies and disrespect must stop.

Received late paycheck for costume design in 2014. I believe the only reason I was eventually paid is because I was designing a second production there, and would not relinquish the costumes until I was paid.

Worked as an overhired carpenter during the 2012 season. My paychecks were always late and at times less than the full amount, and even then it was only because of the dogged daily reminders from me and my fellow builders. I am convinced that we would not have been paid at all had we not approached as a group with our grievances.

I was a full time employee from summer 2006 until fall 2007. During this period, I witnessed vendors and actors complain about delinquent payments. My own paycheck was usually on time, though I recall one week when staff was asked to wait a few extra days for pay. I also experienced a delay in my tax return due to an error the company made in my employee paperwork.