I,, too, have been a member for over and helped implement the original Waiver plan. I say, "if it ain't broke don't fix it" and I defy the Union to let us know how they feel it is broken.
C
Crystal Munson
11 years ago
I'm an equity member.
M
Michael Rothhaar
11 years ago
I have been a member of AEA for nearly 40 years, and an active, working member of the Los Angeles theatre community as well as a member of Pacific Resident Theatre for over 22. I implore you: Do not implement this new plan concerning 99 seat theatre. It is not what the membership asked for, and it will destroy a critical organ of the LA theatre community. Think. Be wise. Scrap this new plan. Sincerely, Michael Rothhaar
C
Christina Calph
11 years ago
PLEASE DO NOT DESTROY OUR COMMUNITY!!!
M
Michelle Benes
11 years ago
Equity member
P
penny peyrot
11 years ago
NONONONONO
T
Theo Stevens (AEA Member)
11 years ago
Though I didn't join the union to work for free or a small stipend, Having worked on both sides of the production spectrum in 99 seat theatre, I know it's monumental and agonizing to get butts in the seats, and more often than not, it's half pricers through Goldstar or LA Stage Alliance and initially comping just to spread word of mouth. You're very lucky if you can break even with production cost. That being said, I believe there has to be a tiered plan that allows Theaters and groups to grow if they choose to do so.- Hackling and chaiing the current Theater groups to current membership is NOT the way to do it, and will create more problems for AEA than it will ever solve. The Theater scene here in LA must be nurtured carefully to grow to bigger and greater Professional scene that is not limited to a handful of mid to large Theaters. The AEA plan as presented to us, is probably well meaning, but very misguided and if anything, shows a certain disconnect from a 43 year history of this type of small Theater in a town that should have a huge audience, but doesn't. I've always been proud of my Union, but this is a badly judged, badly informed mis-step, IMHO.
B
Bob Rusch
11 years ago
Why punish small non-profits who lose money every show?
P
Paul Surace
11 years ago
C'mon guys... let the up and coming actors have a place (99 seat theatre) where they can practice their craft. Don't kill this golden opportunity for good actors to practice their craft. Thanks.
V
Vance Wells
11 years ago
Really! How many AEA members are there in L.A. who can say they make a living as actors. Money is not the issue here. Waiver theater projects are not raking in huge profits and some aren't breaking even. Leave the Los Angeles 99-seat plan alone. Leave some semblance of opportunity to work for actors who those of us who are members of AEA.
M
Mary Portser
11 years ago
Having attended the town hall meeting, I am baffled that the Equity leadership came up with this proposal. It is so clearly not what the L.A. members wants.
C
Charles Dougherty
11 years ago
I am a long time member of AEA and I have lived and worked in both LA and NYC. I do not for one minute think that Equity Council and staff in New York listened to what LA AEA members said about the new plan. This feels like the decision was made before the "input" was requested. The laughable part is that the current president of the union is proud of the fact that, under his leadership, the union is offering the opportunity for "minimum wage". How is this a selling point....and don't tell me its better than nothing...it is not better than nothing....it is worse than nothing...it is an insult. More honorable to "waive" what little salary there would be (minimum wage) and have the opportunity to ply ones craft in an exploratory and creative way in a very small space for a short period of time.
M
Michele Palermo
11 years ago
DO NOT DO THIS!! IT WILL END LA THEATER!!
S
Shanti Reinhardt
11 years ago
AEA member
A
Adam Silver
11 years ago
AEA member
K
Kevin Meoak
11 years ago
AEA Member
S
Scott Nye
11 years ago
Los Angeles's small theatre scene is the most vibrant and exciting I've ever encountered, and integral to the city's artistic identity. To hear that Equity is ignoring the pleas of its membership in the process of killing such a remarkable, homegrown institution is heartbreaking, as it is truly the actors themselves who draw me and my friends to it so frequently.
T
Tory Trowbridge
11 years ago
AEA member
T
Tyler Jenich
11 years ago
Featured
I am a member and co-founder of a 501-C3 certified theatre group in Los Angeles whose ability to create new work and raise funds for that purpose would be severely hampered by the proposed plan. Quite frankly it would make what we do impossible. I vehemently oppose.
I,, too, have been a member for over and helped implement the original Waiver plan. I say, "if it ain't broke don't fix it" and I defy the Union to let us know how they feel it is broken.
I'm an equity member.
I have been a member of AEA for nearly 40 years, and an active, working member of the Los Angeles theatre community as well as a member of Pacific Resident Theatre for over 22. I implore you: Do not implement this new plan concerning 99 seat theatre. It is not what the membership asked for, and it will destroy a critical organ of the LA theatre community. Think. Be wise. Scrap this new plan. Sincerely, Michael Rothhaar
PLEASE DO NOT DESTROY OUR COMMUNITY!!!
Equity member
NONONONONO
Though I didn't join the union to work for free or a small stipend, Having worked on both sides of the production spectrum in 99 seat theatre, I know it's monumental and agonizing to get butts in the seats, and more often than not, it's half pricers through Goldstar or LA Stage Alliance and initially comping just to spread word of mouth. You're very lucky if you can break even with production cost. That being said, I believe there has to be a tiered plan that allows Theaters and groups to grow if they choose to do so.- Hackling and chaiing the current Theater groups to current membership is NOT the way to do it, and will create more problems for AEA than it will ever solve. The Theater scene here in LA must be nurtured carefully to grow to bigger and greater Professional scene that is not limited to a handful of mid to large Theaters. The AEA plan as presented to us, is probably well meaning, but very misguided and if anything, shows a certain disconnect from a 43 year history of this type of small Theater in a town that should have a huge audience, but doesn't. I've always been proud of my Union, but this is a badly judged, badly informed mis-step, IMHO.
Why punish small non-profits who lose money every show?
C'mon guys... let the up and coming actors have a place (99 seat theatre) where they can practice their craft. Don't kill this golden opportunity for good actors to practice their craft. Thanks.
Really! How many AEA members are there in L.A. who can say they make a living as actors. Money is not the issue here. Waiver theater projects are not raking in huge profits and some aren't breaking even. Leave the Los Angeles 99-seat plan alone. Leave some semblance of opportunity to work for actors who those of us who are members of AEA.
Having attended the town hall meeting, I am baffled that the Equity leadership came up with this proposal. It is so clearly not what the L.A. members wants.
I am a long time member of AEA and I have lived and worked in both LA and NYC. I do not for one minute think that Equity Council and staff in New York listened to what LA AEA members said about the new plan. This feels like the decision was made before the "input" was requested. The laughable part is that the current president of the union is proud of the fact that, under his leadership, the union is offering the opportunity for "minimum wage". How is this a selling point....and don't tell me its better than nothing...it is not better than nothing....it is worse than nothing...it is an insult. More honorable to "waive" what little salary there would be (minimum wage) and have the opportunity to ply ones craft in an exploratory and creative way in a very small space for a short period of time.
DO NOT DO THIS!! IT WILL END LA THEATER!!
AEA member
AEA member
AEA Member
Los Angeles's small theatre scene is the most vibrant and exciting I've ever encountered, and integral to the city's artistic identity. To hear that Equity is ignoring the pleas of its membership in the process of killing such a remarkable, homegrown institution is heartbreaking, as it is truly the actors themselves who draw me and my friends to it so frequently.
AEA member
I am a member and co-founder of a 501-C3 certified theatre group in Los Angeles whose ability to create new work and raise funds for that purpose would be severely hampered by the proposed plan. Quite frankly it would make what we do impossible. I vehemently oppose.
AEA member since 2004