As you know, I go on. About stuff that interests me.. I suppose my theme is digging for the truth and presenting stories to uncover it.. in a way that some may find entertaining and some may find infuriating.
I’m good with it all.
I do believe that the truth really does set you free.. and I’m fortunate that I have a venue to do it. I’m very grateful for my little cyberkingdom. And more grateful that you read it.
There’s an AEA union election happening.. don’t worry this will be fun… there’ll be some juice in here. I’m gonna tell you who I think the candidates are to vote for, and some of the fucking crazy shit that’s happening behind the scenes.
At this point, I’m not sure they can begin to heal the crazy that Actors Equity is today. But I do know that they’ll try.
They are the hope for a shot at what a union should be.. an organization that prioritizes every member. And wages. And work. And fairness and equity.
It’s in the name people.
I would describe AEA today as more of a kinda social justice, mean girl McCarthyist club that I and thousands of others pay to keep afloat. It’s mired in identity politics and tribalism now. Since the tragic murder of George Floyd, there has been a distinct push to somehow correct the wrongs perpetrated by the theater industry(?) on African American actors specifically.
There are organizations out the yin yang that have sprung up that rail against the white(?) theater industry that are more about outrage than progress.
Most of them don’t back up any claims of injustice on a factual basis with statistics or work week numbers.. the last diversity study released in 2016 showed very strong work week numbers for African American men in particular…in fact based on the numbers of active union members, statistically more work goes to them than Caucasian men.. if you are an actor of color your odds are significantly higher of securing work as a union actor based on percentages of demographic representation in the union.
My guess is today, it’s higher.
The truth is, all of these groups have converged to have a common theme.
Anything but white.
Directors and authors have agreed to insist on diversity riders — to include members of underrepresented communities — in all new contracts they work on and “will never assemble an all-white creative team on a production again.” Producers have agreed to widen the talent pool to more diverse candidates.
Black Theater United
On it’s face, that is just absurd.
But the animus has hardened into Equity leadership, who at times use “white” as a pejorative.. the much hyped first annual(?) Equity convention had to be shut down due to what I would describe as a race war among members. A black member accused a white woman of “lynching” him at the meeting.. very publicly. He just sent out an email to all the members reiterating that incredibly dangerous claim last week. His email was full of a lot of falsehoods, and some good stuff.
She, by the way, has been getting death threats ever since.. and rape threats. She’s hired an attorney and protection. She’s off social media using her name.
All of this is not only tolerated, but encouraged by leadership.
Also, the fascinating thing to me is the lumping in of diverse groups into BIPOC and EDI and acronyms that don’t at all address the unique talent of each slice of the pie. They are quite specific, but used as a bloc when it’s convenient.
That’s starting to unravel, as I knew it would.
Identity politics has metastasized into union leadership, which seems like it would be a fun thing to do if it weren’t for a theater industry that’s still on the brink of collapse.
The truth is the same money is not coming into the union, and hasn’t for a while.. I doubt if it ever will again…obviously due to the pandemic. Equity woefully mishandled the regional market during the pandemic, and refused contracts to so many theaters that some went non union.
Most shows now have smaller casts due to budget constraints, which also translates to less money coming into the union.
There has been no strategic thinking in leadership, particularly in terms of tours, which have increasingly gone non union in the last 15 years.
But, dear Lordy, the union is still busy spending my money.
And here’s what some volunteer council members want to spend my money on:
Babysitting. They want $40 an hour from me to babysit their children during meetings. I think the cap is 7500 bucks a year.
I have nothing against children. I have dogs, and if I were to get on council I would expect that for dog care.. which is just about as expensive.
I’ve been told on several occasions during my career that a straight guy got hired instead of me because “they had a family and needed the job more than you”… read gay man who clearly just spends money on decorative items.
Most people in the union are itching for in person auditions again.. but here’s the thing… Equity doesn’t have the money for monitors at live auditions now.
Babysitting?
Personally, come to think of it, I wouldn’t ask for dog care because I would take a look at a budget and think of the membership at large and, as a co-president of a not for profit Board I read line item budgets… and would prioritize other members instead of the children I brought into this world voluntarily. Well, probably not voluntarily anymore but you get the point.
It’s the height of privilege to expect me to pay for your child care.. I’m sure most of the social justice warriors on council would never think that word would apply to them.
It does.
I get countless emails from Actors Equity .. which are expensive to produce and distribute…
CELEBRATE BISEXUALITY DAY!
VOTE FOR JOE BIDEN!
FIRE ANDREW CUOMO!
REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS!
TELL CONGRESS TO FUND THE ARTS!
JEWISH AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH!
AANPHPI EQUAL PAY DAY!
EID MUBARAK!
CELEBRATE MOM!
It’s now part of first day of Equity rehearsals for the union rep to read a statement that we are on Native Land, offer up some sort of apology/acknowledgment… state your pronouns in a round robin and, in some cases, sign a statement.. if you’re white… that you are basically racist at heart and admit your transgressions.
The union has been busy.
Just not busy securing safe and sanitary work conditions, increase wages and jobs, organize theaters and lead the theater industry in a smart, calm manner.
Here are the people I am voting for… some I know pretty well.
I don’t care what their views are on abortion, civil rights, gay rights, if they are bisexual, if they voted for Joe Biden or celebrate mom. I know them to be experienced actors and stage managers and union leaders who have had good careers.
I know their main concern is for a stronger union. And work.
Work.
SANDRA KARAS for sec/treasurer
Eastern Principal:
JUDY RICE
BUZZ RODDY
MAUREEN MOORE
MARGOT MORELAND
DIANE NICOLE
ALLYSON TUCKER
NICOLE FLENDER
STEPHEN BOGARDUS
Eastern stage manager
BERNITA ROBINSON
IRA MONT
If it’s possible, time to get to work.
Robert DuSold 
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