www.broadwayworld.com: Actors' Equity Association has sent a statewide member alert to all Equity members regarding the launch of New York City's "Open Culture" program, allowing producers to apply for a permit to close a city street and hold an outdoor performance at a reduced cost.
5 comments:
I am glad that the actor's equity has decided to call out the terrible practices of this open culture program. Although it may seem like it is good to get these actors back to work, they should be back to work with their original wages and COVID-19 protocols. It seems like it could be a trap for some of these actors as they might be so desperate for a paycheck that they will accept almost any wage. If we are to do this, we should be giving everyone involved the same wage, if not more, as they are now putting their lives and the lives of their families on the line to entertain the public. It could also be possible that this specific permit was not meant to be used for Broadway performances and more for other types of entertainment. Hopefully, though, we could try and get some performances of theatre out onto the streets just so these actors would be able to get paid.
It is really disappointing to read about the failings of the Open Culture Plan, though it is not necessarily shocking. The arts have been struggling in many ways for the entirety of the pandemic and the government has been slow to aid the industry. I think it is really unfortunate that performers are potentially going to work for less than a living wage, and because of the lack of work for people in theater during the pandemic, a lot of performers really do not have a choice to not take these jobs. There has been a lot going around in the news the past few days that the reopening of theaters could potentially be happening within the next few months, which is great news. But, I would say that I am personally concerned for how this reopening will go. Stadiums can afford to be open at limited capacity because they are able to generate revenue from broadcasting, but this is not possible for theater, and I am concerned for how a reopening might go.
If Actors Equity decides that it is against COVID-19 guidelines and does not meet the minimum wage requirement, then I totally and entirely stand by them. I am glad they had the nerve to call out the unfairness put upon those working in the entertainment industry. Sure, it is an opportunity for so many unemployed theatre workers to gain experience as well as have a job in the pandemic, but it is obvious there is a catch. The fact that New York City does not even require payment for its performers and that they are not even doing it safely really rubs me the wrong way. I am sure nobody should want to risk their livelihood for a simple show. I am certain I would have my own grievances with some things done by Actors Equity but this is truly something that benefits their union members. Honestly, good for them and their employees, and bad on De Blasio.
This was a tremendous move on the part of Actors Equity. Ensuring that performers and workers will receive an equitable wage and are met with substantial and adequate protections, especially given the risk of performing during a global pandemic, is extremely important. I'm actually quite surprised that New York City didn't include these protections in their "Open Culture" plan, since they are equally, if not more important than the allowance of ticket sales and donations. Without ensuring that these standards are met, NYC is opening the door for producers to take advantage of this loophole and extort their workers and performers out of the wages and protections that they deserve. I can almost guarantee producers would exploit this loophole, saying that it's because of the financial struggles that they and the performers themselves have suffered during the pandemic and that they should be grateful to receive a wage at all. Actors Equity is completely right to be cautious of this plan, and all workers and performers in NYC absolutely need to be wary of any gigs that they are presented with.
The “Open Culture” project just seems like a surface-level band aid on the problems COVID has caused to the theater industry and reading Equity’s statement made me realize how this mandate seemed almost insulting. It is like it was just introduced as a concept, and no precautions were taken toward the people who were actually going to take advantage of the new program. I am glad that Equity released a statement about it, highlighting the areas where it falters. It is disappointing to know that the Open Culture project especially dismissed concerns regarding COVID-19, displaying the true intent behind this superficial solution. The idea behind the project is great- it would be fantastic to see socially distanced outdoor productions in order to breath life back into the industry; however, it is simply disappointing to see how it was executed, and it makes me wonder how this idea passed without any of the considerations Equity brings to light.
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