Getting Paid

[Traitor800]

So this is something that Ive been curious about for a while, how do theatres get away with paying so far below minimum wage. For example my girlfriend currently a non equity ASM at a LORT D theatre and is getting paid $150 per week+ housing, and even if you include the housing its still below minimum wage especially for the hours she works. And this is that way that its been at both summer theaters that Ive worked at, only the year round employees and the AEA stage mangers got paid more than minimum wage. So yeah just wondering if anyone knows how they get away with this so that I can stop thinking about it.

[willbb123]

I worked at a camp for a few summers and they were able to pay less then minimum wage because they provided housing and food.

[avkid]

Originally Posted by willbb123

I worked at a camp for a few summers and they were able to pay less then minimum wage because they provided housing and food.

I have done that, and I plan to continue for as long as I am able.

With food, housing and basic medical care provided you don't really need to be making a whole lot of money.

[Gretsch]

The reason most places can pay interns, apprentices and assistants less than minimum wage is because it is a independently contracted position. As an independent contractor your wage is up to you to negotiate and your taxes are not taken out of your check by your employer. Most people in these positions put up with the lower wage because they are getting perks like free housing and a travel stipend. The federal and state governments do not regulate contractual wages that are fixed and not hourly or salary.

[Footer]

It really depends on the theatre. I am currently working in education because the pay is twice what a lot of my friends are getting, full benefits, that type of thing. My summer home also pays very well, and gives me a 1 bedroom apt. to myself, all utilities minus internet paid. I have worked at places that "housing supplied" means sharing a room with 2 other carps, and the pay was so so.

Now, even in my summer home, after the hours I worked a week I was barely making minimum wage. Add the cost of housing and I was making a little above minimum wage. At the same time though, I went 4.5 weeks without a day off, and worked at least 10 hours a day, sometimes up to 16 hours a day.

Your girlfriend needs to get her card. That should fix that problem. When a theatre hires a non AEA ASM in an Equity house, they are not going to pay them well because they are there to learn the ropes and get points on their card. After she gets her card, she will get paid pretty well, and have benefits (if she gets her 20 weeks).

The hunt for benefits in the theatre world is a harder one then the hunt for pay. Most places will cover housing, unless you are under a full year contract. Very few theatres have decent benefits packages that don't eat your pay down to nothing.

My rule with working in this "biz", if your salaried don't divide. It can just wreck your day. There is a reason places salary, they do it so they can get you to work at much as you need to. When you are first starting out, you are lucky if you get paid at all. I have a really good friend who spent all 4 of her summers in/after college at one theatre. The first summer she got 150 dollars FOR THE SUMMER, and housing. Next summer she was an ASM on a smaller show. and got 100 a week plus housing, next summer she was an SM on a larger show and got 300 a week, and this past summer she was PSM and got 700 a week plus her own apt on lake Michigan. You always start out small and work your way up. Its just how it works.

[Traitor800]

I totally understand that thats how it all works, and why im getting an Engineering Degree instead of a theatre degree, I was just curious as to how they got away with it and what Gretsch said makes since.

My girlfriend is working on getting her card, I was just using that as an example cause its the most recent example that I could think of.

[sk8rsdad]

Originally Posted by Traitor800

I totally understand that thats how it all works, and why im getting an Engineering Degree instead of a theatre degree.

You are wise grasshopper.

Electrical Engineering
University of Waterloo
Class of '86

[jwl868]

Originally Posted by Traitor800

I totally understand that thats how it all works, and why im getting an Engineering Degree instead of a theatre degree, ...

And take the EIT test before you graduate.

Joe

[Van]

Originally Posted by Gretsch

The reason most places can pay interns, apprentices and assistants less than minimum wage is because it is a independently contracted position. ..... ..........

Most places will call it a stipend, and not treat these people as true employees. This is a HUGE Hot Button issue for me, Employing Technicians, ASMs or PAs as "Independent Contractors" Is Illegal and contrary to IRS rules and most likely against local State departments of revenues rules as well.

Originally Posted by Gretsch

......... The federal and state governments do not regulate contractual wages that are fixed and not hourly or salary.

This statement is patently untrue. Thats not a condemnation of you Gretsch, it's a common misconnception. Companies are not allowed to pay "wages" that fall below Federal or State Guidlines and rules. Companies can pay a "fee for service" of any amount, which is why so many companies prefer to hire independent contractors.

I've attached a PDF of Oregons revised Independent contractor rules. These are based on, I believe, Texas' rules which If memory serves, are the basis for mosts states IC rules.


Getting back to the original issue, If your Girlfreind is being employed as an ASM at an Equity LORT D she should be receiving, at the least, Minimun Equity scale. If she is being employed as a PA < Production Assistant> well then she's screwed, as most theatres use this title to get around Equity Rules for minimum scale and and maximum duties. If she is listed as an Equity ASM then she has a legitimate claim against the theatre, even if she does not have her card, she has the right to Equity Scale in a LORT D. I suggest crusing over to the Actors Equity Association Website and downloading the rulebook for LORT D. They are really not that hard to read, or interpret < contrary to what most PM's and Business Managers would have us believe.> they have lots of cool info, and it may just be very elightening.
Hope that helps some.

[Traitor800]

Thanks Van that helps a lot

Originally Posted by jwl868

And take the EIT test before you graduate.

Joe

Not quite sure what the EIT test is but I am going to be taking the FE Exam which is step one to Getting My PE license.