Sunday, April 18, 2010
Noises off: Theatre of the exploited
guardian.co.uk: Should theatres be allowed to employ people without paying them? Given the fact that unpaid internships are virtually endemic across the theatre industry, this might seem a futile question. Indeed, it's an issue that Lyn Gardner examined only a couple of months ago. Yet the ethics of employment are being hotly debated on the blogs once again after, as Isaac Butler points out, the New York Times published this piece questioning whether unpaid internships are even legal. Via ArtsJournal
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11 comments:
I think this article brings up really good points that the Times article neglected. If a theater can't afford to pay interns, then should the theater not offer internships? NO! That's all around foolish! Interns, in the right circumstances, help a performance and can be integral in putting on a show. Without an extra, FREE, hand the show might not be as good. I, personally, do not mind working an unpaid internship in the slightest. I think it's a worthwhile experience, and I'd rather learn more than be paid more. I agree with the article that this is a luxury, but it's also possible to work another job at the same time. This article also has excellent advice on how to evaluate which unpaid internships to choose, and which are merely people trying to take advantage.
There is a really delicate balance that needs to be found between internships and individual's financial independence. On one hand, people are being exploited and others are being excluded. On the other, if theaters were made to pay interns, internships would disappear. I definitely think that some theaters who offer unpaid internships are able to offer some sort of compensation. I think that these theater would be able to at least offer housing. Personally, I would willing to trade an opportunity for pay. However, it has to be the right opportunity. If the work or internship will not get me anything in the future, I won't work there for free.
While I agree that internships can be absolutely great opportunities, doing them for no pay only works if you have the luxury of having mommy and daddy to help you out. For the people who aren't so lucky, it is virtually impossible to take an unpaid internship... by doing so they would be digging their own financial grave. And the argument that it's possible to work another job at the same time is not all that realistic. I'm sure that with some internships that is possible, but if it's a really good one, most likely all your time and energy is going to be put into that, and there really wouldn't be the chance to make extra on the side. And even if you can, it would have to be a part time job that most likely would not be substantial enough to live on. I understand that a lot of theatres can't afford to pay their interns, but a lot of interns can't afford not to be paid either. Unfortunately, I think this is kind of a lose-lose situation.
A lot of theaters that offer unpaid internships justify it by saying that they are "paying you in experience." This seems perfectly reasonable to me if they actually are giving you a positive, worthwhile experience that will result in more opportunities for you in the future. However, some companies take advantage of their unpaid interns by asking them to do work that does not benefit the interns in any way, and that is definitely a problem.
I'm not too knowledgeable on the subject but, as far as my understanding of it goes, there are unpaid internships in almost any field that you decide to go in. Granted, there may be a bit more stability with some other professions and granted, the interns in other fields may not be able to contribute as much as the interns in the theatre industry but, doesn't that just make for a greater learning experience for the intern? I know that there are a lot of people who would rather have an unpaid internship than not have one at all. This being said, I still acknowledge that this is becoming a larger problem. It seems to take people longer and longer to start making just decent pay within the theatre. People are beginning to have to take more and more expenses under their tab just to be able to live during their internships. Granted, the theatre themselves cannot do too much about that if they simple don't have the money for it. As for companies that simply want to take advantage of interns, they shouldn't be allowed to even offer unpaid internships.
I think many people would claim that unpaid internships pay their participants in lots of experience that they might not receive other places. That being said, the article raised a really good point that the practice seems to discriminate against those who can not afford to not be paid for their work. I get that quite often small theaters use the unpaid internships as a way to fill staff positions, but the idea that this could cause people to not look into jobs they really want to do because they can not afford to go without pay is not just unfair but also deprives people experience they might deserve.
If one thinks experiences you can expect from an unpaid internship are worth trying, just take the job. An Internship is an internship. They offer the opportunity for the young to be “involved” in the business. If one seriously thinks the career is his, the one would never have a second thought over paid or unpaid. If need to get paid, find a real job. I would go for un-paid internship, if I could believe the experience lead to the next job opportunity.
“Should I compromise my career to stay financially afloat, or should I dig deep into my pockets for what could be a fantastic opportunity.” My ears hurt. That is the question I should have asked to myself through my life. But I have not asked before, because I always seek an ideal life time career. Once you stop to think in that way, that’s the end of the game.
As I had fortunately had places to work since I graduated my college in Japan and saved money, I have not had so deadly financial problem. After I have finished my 1st job at my college, I came to the U.S. 7 years ago to study English communication for any possible international careers. Then, I even came to a graduate school after several years of work in a few companies, seeking a career opportunity in my favorite field.
I might be very rich now and enjoying more stable and pleasant life, had I not chose to invest money and time to seek further ideal career. Anyway, life is really a gamble. Just one should be smart enough to make appropriate decisions and know what the one really wants to do.
I think there is a really fine line that defines the differences between an internship and a free hands. Many tmies people look for internships as a way to get experience in the theater industry and while this is a good thing, many times companies exploit these people for thier free work. I think that in the end, theater compnie needs to show their interns as much as they can. While yes, it is free help, I think thatcompanies need to undertand that people need to ge paid, whether it is in exprience or in money. Ifte job is deeply involved and gves lots of experiece money should be less consiquwencatial
I think there is a really fine line that defines the differences between an internship and a free hands. Many tmies people look for internships as a way to get experience in the theater industry and while this is a good thing, many times companies exploit these people for thier free work. I think that in the end, theater compnie needs to show their interns as much as they can. While yes, it is free help, I think thatcompanies need to undertand that people need to ge paid, whether it is in exprience or in money. Ifte job is deeply involved and gves lots of experiece money should be less consiquwencatial
I think that both sides of this argument have very good points. I'd rather take an unpaid internship at a theater and gain not only connections, but experience. Everyone has to start somewhere. Everybody knows that. Being paid, like Annie says is a luxury at this point in our careers. The knowledge is worth more than being paid, because to get a good paying job you need experience and skill that you get with internships.
As much as I understand that internships are a way of gaining experience in a professional setting, I do think that interns deserve to be paid. They're still working for the theatre company, and therefore I think that it's only right that they be paid for their work. Personally, I can't afford to not get paid over the summer, but I still think it's important to get the experience of working in an internship position. I think it's unfair to those of us who can't afford not to be paid, to limit internship positions to people who can afford to do them.
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