To those in the Know.
I am but a humble stage manager who is currently working in the United Arab Emirates for a company that knows less about theatre than most people know about quantum physics. While I have agreed to work for this company the amount of work to run a (relatively) simple show is staggering. I have little support from the higher ups and a very inexperienced tech crew. While none of this is new to anyone who has ever done a show; and I accept that hard work and very long hours are part of the job. what I am not comfortable with is when my contract is blatantly violated. There is no Equity to protect me and my IATSE card is also just a nice decoration in my wallet right now. The only thing I have is myself and a few loyal cast members. I will not renew this contract unless massive changes are made. My question to you is this:
Is there an agent who represents Stage Managers and other technical people?
While I can call a show, run a spot, fix a Mac 2000 and still explain knots and Richard the III to people; I can't negotiate a contract worth ****. Like so many of us I tend to undersell myself to get the job and hope for a raise later. Well, there are only so many 70 hour weeks I can work in a row before getting on a plane sounds pretty good. Does anyone have any suggestions to help with this?
Thanks GBTimex
I am but a humble stage manager who is currently working in the United Arab Emirates for a company that knows less about theatre than most people know about quantum physics. While I have agreed to work for this company the amount of work to run a (relatively) simple show is staggering. I have little support from the higher ups and a very inexperienced tech crew. While none of this is new to anyone who has ever done a show; and I accept that hard work and very long hours are part of the job. what I am not comfortable with is when my contract is blatantly violated. There is no Equity to protect me and my IATSE card is also just a nice decoration in my wallet right now. The only thing I have is myself and a few loyal cast members. I will not renew this contract unless massive changes are made. My question to you is this:
Is there an agent who represents Stage Managers and other technical people?
While I can call a show, run a spot, fix a Mac 2000 and still explain knots and Richard the III to people; I can't negotiate a contract worth ****. Like so many of us I tend to undersell myself to get the job and hope for a raise later. Well, there are only so many 70 hour weeks I can work in a row before getting on a plane sounds pretty good. Does anyone have any suggestions to help with this?
Thanks GBTimex