DON’T FORGET TO VOTE
Ballots for the 2015 Executive Board Election are due in the SDC office no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, November 13, 2015. Election results will be announced at the 2015 Annual Membership Meeting on Monday, November 16, 2015. If you have not received your ballot by Nov. 1, please contact: Membership@SDCweb.org
NOTE: While Emeritus and Honorably Withdrawn Members are Members in good standing, they cannot vote. Suspended Members and Associates also cannot vote.
JOIN THE TELLERS COMMITTEE!
Each year SDC needs Members to serve on the Tellers Committee. If you are interested in joining and donating an hour or two of your time, please email: Membership@SDCweb.org
The fabulous café in the new office space is fully stocked with coffee, tea, snacks, and candy!
NEWS FROM CONTRACT AFFAIRS
BROADWAY AGREEMENT
The new SDC–Broadway League Agreement is effective September 1, 2015 – August 31, 2019. As of this issue of the SDC E-News, both parties have signed the Memorandum of Understanding and all terms are subject to retroactivity. The Union was able to increase protections and jurisdiction as well as address some of the League’s concerns which will enable successful productions to be further exploited and additionally support productions in need. While we were not able to gain recognition under this Agreement for Broadway Associate/Resident Directors and Choreographers, we are committed to advancing the cause for these artists whose contributions are critical to the success of Broadway and the road.
In addition to incremental gains across all categories of compensation, including Pension and Health, some of the results of these talks are as follows:
DEVELOPMENT COVERAGE
Recognition and Pension and Health contributions when a director/choreographer is engaged to work with actors in the development of new projects. Coverage will be retroactive to September 1, 2015 for all labs and workshops. Coverage for readings will begin on January 1, 2016. You will retain ownership of any stage direction or choreography that constitutes intellectual property. The contract also includes an arbitration provision and parameters for electronic capture of the work. The terms will remain frozen for ten (10) years except in terms of escalation of benefit contributions in 2019 and 2023.
WAIVER/DEFERRALS
- The four waiver weeks currently allowed per the Agreement will be available to producers as either waivers or deferrals. If used as deferrals, there is a defined window of time in which the weeks taken must be paid back or they automatically convert to waivers. If they are repaid by the deadline then those weeks can be taken again in the next deferral period.
- During the second year of a run, the producer will have two additional weeks of waivers/deferrals subject to the same construct as above although no more than four weeks can be taken consecutively.
- All weeks can only be taken (as waivers or deferrals) on losing weeks and beginning with the second year of a production, they cannot be taken within four weeks of an announced closing. (This restriction does not apply to limited runs.)
- The two additional weeks in the second year are further restricted in that they require written verification from the producer that all creatives have also waived/deferred in order for the weeks to be utilized.
OTHER COMPANIES –BRITISH ISLES
When a Broadway production is produced, leased, or licensed by the Broadway producer in the British Isles, the producer may elect to compensate a director/choreographer pursuant to the Broadway rates or the “Other Companies” provision. If producer elects the Broadway provision the following rates apply: 90% of the Broadway fee, no advance, and 80% of the Broadway minimum weekly guarantees. Net Operating Profit is calculated at the full Broadway percentages and may be done on four week cycles. If producer chooses the “Other Companies” provision the following rates shall apply: 90% of touring fee, no advance, and the 100% of the touring weekly guarantees plus a percentage of overage per week.
ELECTRONIC CAPTURES
SDC and the League have now agreed that SDC shall participate in good faith negotiations for rights beyond the visual reproduction and initial broadcast window. The payment for such capture shall be no less than an amount equal to the SDC minimum fee and advance.
DISMISSAL OF A DIRECTOR/CHOREOGRAPHER
The royalty terms of a dismissed director/choreographer shall be determined according to a tiered system based on when termination takes place – prior to first rehearsal, prior to first paid performance, and after first paid – 66%, 75%, and 100% respectively of the minimum weekly guarantee.
OTHER COMPANIES- ELECTION
The existing election provision for other companies, which involves tiering compensation based on the amount of work the director and/or choreographer performs when accepting the work has been problematic for both parties. The League and SDC have agreed to refer this provision to a working committee on which both sides will participate. If after 12 months no agreement has been reached on a restructure of the provision, either side may initiate interest arbitration to settle the matter.
The entire staff sends our deepest appreciation to everyone for your sustained support, determination, wise counsel, and participation. Your committee of peers led by the tireless Michael Wilson, with Kathleen Marshall and Evan Yionoulis, was astonishing.
SUNDANCE INSTITUTE AGREEMENT
SDC is thrilled to announce that the Union has negotiated a brand new agreement with the Sundance Institute effective for the fall 2015 Theatre Lab at MASS MoCA. Under the new agreement, Sundance will continue to provide lodging, meals, and round trip transportation for SDC Members, as well as compensation in the amount of $510 for each week or part thereof of engagement. In addition, Sundance will provide weekly benefit contributions in the amount of $30 to the SDC-League Health Fund and $20 to the SDC-League Pension Fund, which further recognizes the vital role Members play in the developmental process. SDC is delighted to strengthen and build upon its relationship with the Sundance Institute, and looks forward to continuing the collaboration.
Thank you to SDC Members Mark Brokaw, Anne Kauffman, Lisa Peterson, and Leigh Silverman for their support and input during these negotiations. If you have any questions, please contact Business Representative Kristy Cummings: x231 or KCummings@SDCweb.org
NEW OR RENEWED IPA
Utah Shakespeare Festival – Referenced to Shakespeare Agreement
ARS Nova – Referenced to ANTC
Sundance Institute- Independent Producer Agreement
DID YOU KNOW?
FIGHT CHOREOGRAPHERS
If you are a fight choreographer and you secure an SDC contract for an Off-Broadway or NYC Tier production, you may be eligible for a Joe A. Callaway Award given by SDC Foundation. Contact Business Rep Kristy Cummings if you have questions about securing a contract. KCummings@SDCweb.org
NEWS FROM MEMBER SERVICES
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16 AT 6 P.M.
Shetler Studios 244 W. 54 Street (btw Broadway & 8th Ave)
Please join your Union on November 16, either in person or via live stream, for the 2015 Annual Membership Meeting. The agenda will include:
- Details on the recent Broadway negotiations
- Discussion of proposed By-law changes
- Information on Member access at the Union’s new home, The Plant
- Results of the 2015 Executive Board Elections, including the announcement of elected officers, Executive Vice President and Treasurer
- Welcoming new Members and Associates
Members living in the New York tri-state area, please join in person; for those who do not live nearby, you may join the meeting via live stream. In the week prior to the meeting, Members will be sent a link and login information for the live stream. Visit www.shetlerstudios.com for directions. RSVP by November 12 to Associate Director of Member Services, Jennifer Toth: JToth@SDCweb.org
A NOTE ABOUT THE LIVE STREAM: As SDC continues to move into the 21st century, the Union is redefining the concept of being “present” at Membership Meetings. Technology provides opportunities and poses challenges. SDC is excited to offer this service to its Members, but asks that you respect to a few rules of order:
- SDC Membership Meetings are for Members only unless otherwise noted.
- Associates are welcome but do not have voting privileges.
- As we make our meetings available in cyberspace, it feels prudent to remind us all that discussions at Membership meetings are confidential and under no circumstances may issues or decisions be shared, unless and until SDC makes a public announcement of such issues or decisions. Even after SDC makes an official announcement about a business decision, Members are asked to hold the opinions and comments of other Members in the strictest confidence.
- Patience please! Each advance takes time to perfect. Staff members research and prepare to the best of their ability, and we expect to learn something new with each outing.
It is critically important that the Union create security policies to ensure that only those eligible Members in attendance are able to access online meeting streams, and that only those eligible to vote on Union business have the ability to vote. Please help SDC keep critical Union business confidential.
SDCJ-PEER REVIEW CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
SDC Journal seeks essays for the new peer-reviewed section. Essays must have accessible language that focuses on practice and practical application and that exemplifies the sorts of fruitful intersections that can occur between the academic/scholarly and the profession/craft. For more information, visit: http://sdcweb.org/community/sdc-journal/sdc-journal-peer-review/
MEMBERS ONLY SECTION – DON’T FORGET
SDC posts job opportunities online on the job board in the Members Only section of the website. Two recent opportunities are below. Members may also find the Union By-laws and Work Rules, SDC Member discounts and offers, and career development resources. Stay tuned as our new data system will boast even more features. The password is available to all Members who are in good standing, and can be found in the sidebar of the Monthly E-News. The password changes quarterly. Opportunity: Visiting Music Associate Professor, Vocal Performance, Non Tenure-Track
ACTION ALERT: REMOVAL OF NEW YORK TIMES CREDIT BOX FROM REVIEWS
Members, you may have heard about the New York Times removing the credit box from its reviews, online and in print. The industry is speaking out against this practice and asking the paper to reinstate the box – if not in print, then at least online where space is free. A number of creative unions have been in contact with their Members asking them to participate in this protest. SDC is joining the good fight. We recently sent a letter to the top three editors, and now we’re asking you to take a moment to do the same. Below are the three editors that you may write to. You may also consider engaging on social media. SDC believes that all collaborators deserve credit – your name matters, and it matters that people see your name and the names of those that you work with. Thank you for your support.
EDITORS:
Ms. Danielle Mattoon, Culture Editor thearts@nytimes.com
Mr. Scott Heller, Theatre Editor and Deputy Editor for Arts and Leisure thearts@nytimes.com
Mr. Arthur Sulzberger Jr., Chairman and Publisher publisher@nytimes.com
The New York Times, 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, NY 10018 thearts@nytimes.com
SAMPLE: As a Member of SDC, the national labor union representing stage directors and choreographers, I am writing to urge you to reinstate the credit box accompanying theatre reviews you publish in print and online. The identification of the creative team is an essential and irreplaceable part of the historical record, especially in an art form as ephemeral as the theatre. Your readers deserve and want to have this information. I stand with SDC and its union peers, and I hope you will reconsider your decision and restore this vital part of the story.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
- Ballots due in SDC Offices: Fri. Nov 13 at 5 p.m.
- SDCF Fichandler Award presented in LA: Mon., Nov 9, 5-7 p.m.
Info & RSVP: RSVP@SDCFoundation.org (646) 524-2227
Space is limited. RSVP required by November 4th. - Tellers Committee: Week of Nov 9-13
- Board Meeting: Mon. Nov 16, 1 p.m.
- Annual Membership Meeting: Mon. Nov 16, 6 p.m. Details above.
- Broadway Associate Meeting with Jack O’Brien: Mon. Nov 23, 9 a.m.
- Office Closed: Nov 26-Nov 27 for Thanksgiving
- SAVE THE DATE: Los Angeles Membership Meeting Mon. January 11, 2016
Time and location TBD. Stay tuned for details.
SDC MONTHLY MEMBER REPORT
NEW MEMBERS
- Nicholas C. Avila, Dir, Antioch, CA
- Steve H. Broadnax, Dir, State College, PA
- Devon de Mayo, Dir, Chicago, IL
- Reginald L. Douglas, Dir, Pittsburgh, PA
- Michael Dove, Dir, Washington, D.C.
- Chris Eigeman, Dir, Brooklyn, N
- Christopher Murrah, Dir, New York, NY
- Mark Myars, Dir, New York, NY
- Cynthia Nixon, Dir, New York, NY
- Takonkiet Viravan, Dir, Bangkok, Thailand
NEW ASSOCIATES
- Jacob Basri, Dir, Brooklyn, NY
- Dennis Beasley, Dir, Morgan Hill, CA
- Rachel Black Spaulding, Dir, Montclair, NJ
- Tina Chen, Dir, New York, NY
- Anna Lathrop, Dir, Washington, D.C.
- Greg Walloch, Dir, West Hollywood, CA
- Dina Vovsi, Dir, New York, NY
SDC-LEAGUE PENSION & HEALTH FUNDS
HAVE YOU HAD A FLU SHOT YET?
As we approach another winter season, are you taking care of yourself? Flu shots are readily available, effective, and they will not give you the flu! The shots are available at no charge for Aetna participants, and also for Kaiser participants in California. Both Aetna and Kaiser participants may obtain their shots directly from their Primary Care Physician with no co-pay and no claim form. Aetna participants may also obtain a flu shot from their local pharmacy, but will need to pay out-of-pocket. Upon submission of a claim, Aetna will then reimburse 100% of the cost.
The Actors Fund is also again conducting free flu vaccination sessions for all industry performing arts and entertainment professionals in NYC on the following dates:
- Wednesday, November 18 from 1:30 to 4:00
- Monday, November 30 from 9:30 to 12:00
- Tuesday, December 1 from 1:30 to 4:00
- Wednesday, December 16 from 9:30 to 12:00
Appointments are not necessary, but you will need to present your SDC Membership card. Dates and times are subject to change. For the latest information regarding flu shot days, call (212) 489-1939 and at the start of the recording, press option 3.
Shots will be provided at: The Al Hirschfeld Free Health Clinic, 475 West 57th Street (off 10th Avenue), Dorothy Ross Friedman Residence (formerly The Aurora), New York, NY 10019
WOMEN’S HEALTH AND CANCER RIGHTS ACT OF 1998
On October 21, 1998, Congress passed the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act. This law provides protection for breast cancer patients who elect reconstructive surgery after a mastectomy.
Because the SDC-League Health Plan provides medical and surgical benefits in connection with a mastectomy, the Plan also provides coverage for reconstructive surgery. Specifically, the Plan provides to you or your covered dependent who receives benefits in connection with a mastectomy, coverage for the following:
- reconstruction of the breast on which the mastectomy was performed;
- surgery and reconstruction of the other breast to produce a symmetrical appearance; and
- prostheses and treatment of physical complications at all stages of mastectomy, including lymphedemas, in a manner determined in consultation with the attending physician and the patient.
If you are covered by Aetna Managed Choice, you may elect to be covered on an in-network basis utilizing the services of your Primary Care Physician and Specialist referrals. If covered on an out-of-network basis through Aetna, this coverage will be subject to the usual annual deductible and coinsurance payments. Only in-network coverage is available through Kaiser Permanente.
Coverage is also available through Option B, provided that you have other group health insurance that meets minimum value standards under the Affordable Care Act. In addition, to the extent permitted by law, this coverage may be subject to benefit maximums and co-payment provisions under the Plan. ou should review carefully the provisions the Plan regarding any such restrictions that may apply.
Please remember that, as with all benefits, the Board of Trustees reserves the right to amend, modify and/or terminate benefits at any time in accordance with the official Plan documents and applicable law.
For questions, contact John Everson in the New York City Funds Office at JEverson@SDCweb.org or by phone at (212) 869-8129. Our address; along with SDC, SDC-League Pension & Health Funds is located at 321 W. 44th Street, Suite 804, New York, NY, 10036. www.SDCLeagueFunds.org