Money Talk: Question of Ethics

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Question of Ethics

Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Theater Administration
Forum Name: Money Talk
Forum Discription: Questions about fundraising and promotion
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3804
Printed Date: 11/22/24 at 7:41am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Question of Ethics

Posted By: JoeWindoes
Subject: Question of Ethics
Date Posted: 2/06/09 at 12:01am

I was recently cast into my friend's play. She wrote it but was having a new director and a brand new theater company produce it. I have done some television work and no stage work since grade school. During the process of producing the show, the director asked everyone for ideas on how to build this community group and "wanted everyone involved". He also looked for ideas on how to fund this. His suggestion was selling football gambling squares. Not the most ethical way to raise money, but whatever. That's not the issue. My friend is the sole writer of this play. She has written other plays. They all stated at the beginning that clearly they were not in this for the money. At this time there was no expectation of success. During the process...the business plan changed. It was now a three person hierarchy ruling the decisions of this company that benefited from the efforts of all of us. Well then the play went on...and was wildly successful due to great promotion by the cast. The theater company had 1900 in expenses and brought in almost 2000 over this. They told me I was out of line, for asking if they were going to compensate the writer. The writer did not have a written agreement. The writer has since been advised. The theater company claimed that they did not make a profit, due to the fact that the money was still in the account. Just cause I am new at theater doesn't mean I am new at life. The were paying their fee for the year at the hall, have all expenses covered and want to run another two nights. They were averaging 1200 a night in revenue. They still could not purchase t-shirts which they sold to the cast, but could purchase beer and pizza for parties, which half the cast didn't partake in cause we are sober. Then they turned away 40 people on closing night -some with reservations. When I asked if they would be comped or offered at reduced price to save face for the travel that night, they said a blunt..."NO, its not my fault they didn't get here early". Then said the encore was "for" these people, when honestly I feel they are milking it for all the cash they can get. I did not like the way they were doing business.

When they expected no money, they were this giving company that would donate to the other theater company. When the money came in, they acted like they were Enron, and "they" were the decision makers and offered a weak attempt at their accounting rationale.

Now I am an experienced business person, and the whole thing seems completely ridiculous. The writer should have had an agreement, but am I wrog for walking away from the two encore shows 6 weeks later? I feel they are just milking more operating cash for their next show, and exploiting the writer and people who tried to help build a community project.

Money and lack of foresight ruined the whole thing.

But the rest of the cast seems totally ok with what is happening because they have turned it around making it look like the actors want to get paid. When we don't we just want them to honest and forthright about the finances and it's one con after another.

Am I crazy or just being a drama queen? Or am I standing on principle.

I was not the lead, but received much praise for my comedic performance. Myself and a cast mate are currently writing our own play and it's coming along wonderfully. Very funny and much fun without the greed and double talk. I got what I wanted from the deal. But feel I shouldn't be a part of such unethical greed. Or should I just do the show and not make waves?

So my question is am I being unreasonable?

Thanks in advance for your insight and experience. Please respond to this. Also what is a fair agreement for the writer? I am not a first time writer and think that the musicians should be paid as part of show expenses. I was thinkning that after all agreed expenses the writer should get 30-40% of the profit - and not an equal share due to the fact that they are not taking any risk. What are your thoughts and your experiences on these issue.

Thanks in advance, and I am truly glad I found this site.

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The best way to learn about yourself, is to get out of yourself.

Replies:

Posted By: KEB54
Date Posted: 2/06/09 at 9:08am

Everything else aside, if you "signed on" at the beginning to do x number of shows and the run of the show was established, you are under no obligation to do encore shows six weeks later unless it was part of the original agreement. If they told you that they were running Thursday through Sunday for three weeks, that's your commitment.

As far as the rest of it, let it lie. Bad business practices, and especially bad relationship practices, will catch up with them. You need do nothing other than stay clear of it.

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KEB

Posted By: jayzehr
Date Posted: 2/06/09 at 1:10pm

Originally posted by JoeWindoes

He also looked for ideas on how to fund this. His suggestion was selling football gambling squares.

A piece of theater advice I got a long time ago was that at the first sign of anything "hinkey" you should get out right away because if will only get worse.

You have no moral, artistic or legal obligation to come back six weeks later and do addtional performances that you did not previously commit to.

Just tell them you have something else scheduled and wash your hands of it.

Posted By: SpenceKenzer
Date Posted: 3/12/09 at 3:42pm

I agree with KEB54 and jayzehr. Do with them what you agreed to do, no less and no more. When asked to do more (i.e., that remount of the show 6 weeks later) it's a whole new ball game; you can decide on the new events as each arises.

Obvious advice: stay clear of bad business practices and bad relationship practices. Our CT is a permanent resident at a small performing arts centre, which recently imploded due to both bad business AND relationship practices; the dust is just settling now, a year later (the building got a whole new board and a whole new staff). It was extremely unpleasant for all the CT's and dance groups who use that building regularly.

As for playwright royalties: our CT has done several plays where we signed a contract with the playwright himself (or herself) for permission to perform and for royalties. I think in each case we paid the playwright 10% of the gross box office for each performance (ticket sales, before any expenses, NOT bums in seats). We were told that was a usual amount (no, I don't remember by whom).

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Saludos, my dahlinks, and you know who you are ... !