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Work-sustained Accidents

•   If injured while rehearsing or performing or on the theatre premises, report the injury immediately to the Stage Manager or Company Manager and make certain that a Worker's Compensation Accident and Injury Report is filed with the insurance company carrying the employer's Worker's Compensation policy.
  
  
•   Secure the name and address of the Producer's insurance broker or compensation carrier and relay this information to any doctor who treats you for this injury so that he or she may send the bills and medical reports directly to the proper party. Be sure to tell the doctor or hospital that it is a Workers' Compensation case.
  
  
•   Do not use your own health insurance for work-sustained injuries.
  
  
•   Your Workers' Compensation will pay a percentage of your salary up to a cap (the amount varies from state to state). In addition, the Equity-League Health fund maintains a supplemental disability policy that will increase your weekly compensation. You and your physician need to fill out a Supplemental Workers' Compensation Plan claim form and file it with Equity. Since the Supplemental Workers' Compensation Plan benefit is taxable wages and subject to voluntary income tax withholding, you should obtain a W4-S Request for Federal Income Tax Withholding from Sick Pay.
  
  
•   Do not use sick leave in the case of time lost due to accidents. File claims for disability benefits as indicated above. Save your sick leave for illnesses or accidents that are not covered by disability insurance. 
  
  

Tax Information for Actors & Stage Managers

from Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)

The following lists indicate the business expense deductions to which performing artists are usually entitled. The first list includes un-reimbursed business expenses incurred “in-town,” that is, while you are working or seeking employment in your home city. The other list includes those expenses usually incurred “out-of-town,” working or seeking employment – requiring at least one overnight stay – away from your tax home.

NOTE: Records of all expenditures should be kept according to the category (in-town or out-of-town) to which they apply as they must be reported on separate schedules on income tax returns.


IN-TOWN EXPENSES

1. Photos and Resumes
2. Agent’s/Manager’s Commissions
3. Union Dues/Initiation Fees
4. Office Supplies/Stationary/Postage
5. Academy and Players Guide
6. Accompanist/Audition Expense
7. Answering Service
8. Coaching/Lessons for Performance 9. Entertainment for Business
10. Gifts for Business
11. Sheet music, records, books, tapes 12. Rehearsal clothes & maintenance 13. Tickets for Professional Research 14. Trade Publications
15. Transportation Seeking Employment


OUT-OF-TOWN-EXPENSES

1. Travel
2. Lodging Expenses
3. Meals
4. Laundry and Dry Cleaning
5. Local Transportation
6. Auto Rental for Business
7. Gasoline/Auto Repairs & Maintenance 8. Telephone Charges
9. Tips and Gratuities
10. Other Expenses related to Qualifying

Travel


If you go out on a tour or get a job which will necessitate your working in another state, be sure to check with your employer as to the non-resident tax obligations imposed by the other state(s) or city(ies). Keep records, not only of what you earn in wages and per diem (if any), but the exact dates you spent in each locality. These records, along with those you have kept on your business expenses, will be beneficial to you and your tax preparer when you file your income tax returns. Provide your employer with the address at which you can be reached in January of next year and request that complete W-2 forms, reflecting your non-resident wages and withholdings, be sent to you as soon as they are available. You can usually (though not always) track down a New York employer, but getting information from a former employer in another state can take weeks, even months, especially in tax season.

The IRS does not accept estimates or approximations of any expenses. Paid receipts, canceled checks, bank and credit card statements, a detailed diary and other such documentation are required as proof of expenditures. You may claim the above-listed business expenses on your tax returns only to the extent you can prove you incurred them.

For more information about VITA, visit www.actorsequity.org


   

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Emergency Procedures


In the event of any health or safety emergency, including, but not limited to, insufficient heat or air conditioning, technical problems, leaks or fire, the Deputy or Stage Manager will immediately notify the appropriate Business Representative for the show. If the Equity offices are closed, an emergency service number will be given via tape recording. The Deputy or Stage Manager will call that number and leave the following information:

• The name and location of the production and theatre
  
  
• The contract under which the show is organized (e.g., Production, LORT, COST)
  
  
• The nature of the emergency
  
  
• The Deputy's and/or Stage Manager's name and local phone number.
  
  A Business Representative will contact the Deputy and/or Stage Manager quickly.
  
  Unless an Actor's health or safety is in imminent danger, no Actor is authorized to refuse to perform. A decision to cancel any performance for health or safety reasons may only be made by the President or Executive Director of Actors' Equity. Any individual Actor may refuse to work if he/she reasonably believes him/herself to be in imminent danger. Any Actor who refuses to work without prior approval of the President or Executive Director of the Association may be subject to penalties should his/her refusal lack credibility and therefore be unreasonable.
  
  Equity Office Numbers: 
  

New York (212) 869-8530 
Chicago (312) 641-0393 
Los Angeles (323) 978-8080 Bethany Umbach
Orlando (407) 345-8600 

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Important Information

Juvenile Votes: When a company vote is taken during a company meeting and there are children in the Equity company, Council policy provides that, if the child is less than 14 years old, the parent may be present to advise the child. The cast meeting will not be delayed, however, if a parent is not available.

Filming and Taping: All Equity contracts contain specific prohibitions against the making of audio and/or visual recordings of equity productions. Equity contracts also identify recordings that are expressly permissible. Accordingly, you should always consult your Equity contract prior to any recording. In addition, please remember the following:

• Make sure you have signed a proper Equity release form or rider before participating in any recording or filming that is not expressly permitted in your contract (including the reference contract.)
  
  
• Notify Equity immediately if any unauthorized taping or filming takes place.
  
  
• To avoid penalties for unauthorized taping or broadcasting, please consult your Equity Business Representative before you make any recording.
  
  Notices of Termination: Upon giving individual notice, whether it be by the Actor or Manager, both parties must submit a copy of the notice in writing to Equity. Please do not fail to comply with this rule in all instances.
  
  Stunts: It is important that notice be given immediately to the Equity office whenever stunts, special effects, or business that may be dangerous is contemplated or is being rehearsed or performed. Timely notice to Equity can help prevent injuries. Your cooperation on this will be appreciated.
  
  Redress of Grievances: The Council of Actors' Equity Association is anxious that you know the avenues open to you when seeking information or redress of grievances. You should initially try to solve your problems through the appropriate Equity Business Representative. Should the question not be answered and/or the problem not be solved to your satisfaction by the Business Representative, it is your right to seek recourse via the appropriate Senior Business Representative. If there still is not a satisfactory answer or solution, you should put the details in writing to the Regional Director. If even this does not prove satisfactory, you have the right to appeal to the appropriate Regional Board. Please remember that all inquiries, complaints and information will be treated with strictest confidentiality by the Equity staff. Do not hesitate to contact us on any matter.
  
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Responsibilities of the Actor

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Equity requires management to meet all of its responsibilities under its contract with Equity. In turn, members have certain professional responsibilities to the producer, to the production and to fellow Equity members. All Equity members must:

• Be on time for all rehearsals and half-hour calls
  
  
• Notify the Stage Manager as soon as possible, and certainly before half-hour, if ill or unable to reach the theatre on time
  
  
• Remember that, even though places for each act will be called, you alone are responsible for all of your entrance cues
  
  
• Observe all reasonable rules of the management not in conflict with Equity rules
  
  
• Cooperate with the Stage Manager and Assistant Stage Managers, Dance Captain and Fight Captain
  
  
• Take proper care of, and make no unauthorized changes in, your costumes, props, or make-up
  
  
• Maintain your performance as directed
  
  
• Appear at curtain calls in complete costume and make-up
  
  
• Go to your Deputy in cases of disagreement. If a disagreement cannot be resolved by the authorities backstage, refer it to the appropriate Equity Business Representative
  
  Your Stage Manager is obligated to report violations to Equity and Equity will, when necessary, call before a Membership Relations Committee any member who violates these rules.
  
  Discipline is a sign of professionalism. Please maintain a professional attitude at all times.
  
  Office of the Executive Director, AEA