Actors for Germantown Radio Audio drama on December 30th

A possible acting opportunity. If you are interested write directly to Caitlin Alicia Cieri at ccieri@fandm.edu

by Monday. Do not Reply to me. - Carlo 

Script here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/16lKs192HqV0V_lHw5JDIBUsmo5s9DA0B/view?usp=sharing

I've finished a play for a playwriting challenge, and I'm looking for actors to do a live read of it for Skywave Radio. The show is on Wednesday, December 30th 5 P.M., and I'd like to do a readthrough an hour in advance. The play's called "Here, There, Everywhere," and it's about two air force pilots who fly a helicopter for a training exercise...and end up in a completely different continent. BIPOC actors, veterans, people with disabilities and gender nonconforming actors are encouraged to apply.

The roles I’m looking for are...

SENIOR AIRMAN ALICE ANDERS: Female, American, Any Race. An American Army pilot who’s devoted to justice and her job; whichever comes first.

SENIOR AIRMAN BOB LONG: Male, American, Any Race. An American Army pilot who’s more impulsive and more likely to speak out than Alice.

AIR MARSHALL CAROLE DENT: Female, Scottish, Any Race. Former American military researcher, current Scottish Air Force Marshall. Thought she’d finally left her past behind.

EVE: Female, British, Any Race. A British sailor who likes a little fun.

FAYTHE: Female, British, Any Race. A British sailor who will follow the rules until someone’s in danger.

DR. NIAJ MEHROTA: Male, American, South Indian Descent. Former American military researcher, current dairy farmer. Lost too many people to the technology he created.

SYBIL BRAITHWAITE: Female, American, Any Race. Former American military researcher, current NSA intelligence analyst. Moonlights in war profiteering.

DAIRY FARMER: Any Gender, American, Any Race. A Minnesotan Dairy Farmer who gets thirsty quickly. Can be doubled with Alice, Bob, Eve, Faythe, or Sybil.

GENERAL WENDY SEARS: Female, American, Any Race. Military Police general. She has a job to do, and you’re just in her way. Can be doubled with Eve or Faythe. 

EMPLOYEE 1: Any Gender, Indian. Works in a post office in New Dehli. Does not like large packages. Can be doubled with Carole, Niaj, or Sybil if they’re Indian and can speak Hindi.

EMPLOYEE 2: Any Gender, Indian. Works in a post office in New Dehli. Starts office-place wagers to liven things up. Can be doubled with Carole, Niaj, or Sybil if they’re Indian and can speak Hindi.



I've enclosed the script in this email so you can all give it a read. I may make more edits before the recording, so I will update you on my progress. If you have any questions, please email me at ccieri@fandm.edu. Let me know by Monday afternoon if this works for you, and Merry Christmas and a Happy New year.

Warm Regards,

Caitlin

AEA COVID-19 Safety Protocols FYI

This fall, in consultation with Dr. David Michaels, former head of OSHA, Equity’s safety team began working on updating our guidance for producers wanting to create COVID-19 Safety Protocols for their productions.

 

We wanted you to know that after months of work, we have published four new worksheets for producers to use depending on whether their shows are indoors or outdoors and whether they are with an audience or without. The new documents offer clear guidance on key aspects of production, from ventilation to testing, while also streamlining the preproduction process for producers.

 

This guidance came together based on collaboration with dozens of Equity producers over the last nine months, a number of whom went on to mount productions that created multiple work weeks for actors and stage managers. You can view that list on Equity’s safety spotlight page. This updated guidance is based on science, and it has evolved as we have collaborated with more producers and learned more about COVID-19.

 

We have also published a stand-alone safety guide with additional information on how to maintain a safe workplace during this difficult time. Just as we have evolved and updated our approval process and protocols, this new guidance is subject to change as new information becomes available.

 

You may view the new documents in the member portal – they are also posted on the public website as a resource for producers.

 

We continue to approve new safety plans on a weekly basis.

 

We have not been able to approve every safety plan that has been put before our safety team. Some of those employers have gone ahead without appropriate safety protocols in place. Sadly, we know how that story can end. A non-Equity production in Texas made headlines after it abruptly stopped production following 17 COVID-19 cases among their cast and crew in October. Unfortunately, they are far from the only example of what can happen when care isn’t taken to protect stage managers, actors and every worker in the theatre.

 

I am proud to say that no Equity-approved show that opened with our safety protocols in place has been shut down this year because of COVID-19. Our guidelines are keeping workers and audience members alike safe. This happened not just because of our safety standards. The protocols only work if everyone commits to following them. You, standing together in solidarity, make the workplace safer.

 

Moving forward, we will continue to focus on science-based safety protocols that keep you safe at work in collaboration with Equity employers who are committed to getting you back to work in the safest way possible.

 

For Equity,

 

Mary McColl

Executive Director, Actors' Equity Association                                                                                                                                                       ccq 

Information about the bipartisan COVID-19 relief package and the AEMI's shared COVID-19-related priorities

 Hi everyone,

As you have likely seen, later today (and probably into the early hours of tomorrow), Congress will vote on a large bill that combines an omnibus spending package for the remainder of FY 2021 and another round of COVID-19 relief.  The bill is expected to pass and be signed into law. 

This Google Doc briefly summarizes which AEMI priorities are included in the COVID-19 relief portion of the bill: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qtGId72dcG8tNXMGKuChoyYooNfcbJtL6pFmbaHPh_4/edit?usp=sharing. 

In addition, while not explicitly an AEMI priority, the bill extends the national eviction moratorium through January 31, 2021, and includes $25 billion for rental assistance to families facing eviction.

Highlights from the omnibus portion of the bill include:

• $167.5 mil in FY 2021 funding for NEA and NEH 
• $475 mil in FY 2021 funding for CPB (and an additional $20 mil for network upgrades)
• $26.4 million in FY 2021 operating funds and $14 million in capital expansion funds for the Kennedy Center
• Felony streaming loophole fix
• CASE Act

A full summary of the omnibus is attached.

Best, 

Michael

Member Ashley Wagner Advent Calendar Style Videos

She has been making daily Advent calendar-style videos (primarily for elementary-aged kids, adults like to watch, too). 

She talks about holiday customs from around the world, sing, and read stories. 

Here’s the one she did for Italy: https://youtu.be/Z3zxTO4liqQ 

The full calendar is here: http://www.ashleywagnerarts.com/christmas 

Online meeting Tuesday Dec. 22 at 4pm

 Carlo Fiorletta is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: GIAA Meeting

Time: Dec 22, 2020 04:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/92215951567?pwd=UXFEdzQ3RTlldzF5S24wUWdZT0I1dz09

Meeting ID: 922 1595 1567

Passcode: 47bFXH

DPE President’s Activity Update for December and Year-End Summary

 DPE General Board – 

 

Happy Holidays! This month’s update includes DPE’s December activities and highlights from our activities in 2020.

 

Legislation & Policy – On December 8^th, DPE facilitated a meeting with the Biden transition's USTR agency review team and AEMI unions in copyright-reliant industries to share the AEMI's trade policy priorities related to intellectual property protections for creative professionals.

 

DPE sent a letter for the record to the Senate Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Manufacturing, Trade, and Consumer Protection for their hearing, “Examining the Impact of COVID-19 on the Live Event Entertainment Industry.” The letter reiterated our urgent ask that Congress provide continued economic support for creative professionals impacted by COVID-19.

 

AEMI – DPE convened the broadcast unions on December 4^th and provided an update on industry employment and unemployment to all AEMI unions on December 15^th. 

 

Member Engagement – DPE’s next member engagement roundtable will be January 21^st from 1:00 – 2:30 ET. The agenda will focus on the successes and challenges affiliate unions have experienced while engaging members who work in remote or distributed workplaces, and how affiliates are preparing for sustained interest in working remotely after the COVID-19 pandemic is over. Please contact Ethan Miller (emiller@dpeaflcio.org) for more information or to RSVP.

 

Year-End Summary – Thank you to all DPE affiliates for your ongoing support and engagement throughout this challenging, but productive year. Once again, I can’t say enough about the incredible DPE staff – Michael, Katie, and Ethan – and their resiliency and work this year. 

 

Legislation and Policy

• As a result of close collaboration with the AEMI and regular, ongoing communication with key leaders and staff on the Hill, secured an early victory in the CARES Act for broad protections, including language that extended PUA to gig workers and those who lost future work due to the pandemic
• Hosted a virtual meeting with U.S. Representative Chellie Pingree and AEMI unions to discuss industry impacts and needed relief
• With the AEMI unions, developed federal policy priorities aimed at the next Congress to assist the arts, entertainment, and media industries during and after the pandemic
• Held numerous meetings with Hill staffers to urge the inclusion of digital news in COVID-19 relief
• Sent a letter to the Census Bureau in June requesting a revision to the NAICS code for Internet-only news and periodical publishers

Racial Justice

• Convened a meeting of AEMI union leaders on June 18^th to discuss ways to advance racial justice
• Published DPE’s racial justice toolkit in July
• Convened AEMI legislative and policy staff on July 9^th to begin the development of a racial justice policy agenda for the next Congress
• Hosted a meeting of the broadcast unions to discuss advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion in their industry

Member Engagement

• Hosted member engagement roundtables in January and May
• Compiled tips on communicating with members while social distancing measures are in place
• Created tips for hosts and guidelines for participants utilizing zoom video conferencing

Communications and Organizing

• Developed a social media training and conducted several trainings for OPEIU locals
• Created a guide to digital advertising on social media and provided trainings for OPEIU international and local organizing staff
• Launched a digital campaign to generate organizing leads among veterinarians and veterinary technicians, which has generated 37 organizing leads to date
• The Philadelphia Inquirer published an opinion piece from me on how the pandemic has reinforced why workers need unions

Affiliate Collaboration

• Over the course of the year, hosted 20 meetings of the five DPE affiliates representing members in broadcast news
• Arranged a briefing for broadcast affiliates from NELP on work share programs
• Coordinated an entertainment industry press call in May with 10 affiliates to highlight the pandemic’s impact on arts and entertainment professionals

Research

• Published a new fact sheet on the H-1B visa and its impact on diversity in STEM occupations
• Compiled and distributed monthly arts, entertainment, and media industry employment and unemployment data beginning in July
• Updated DPE’s fact sheet on library professionals

Collective Bargaining

• Developed two new training resources and a checklist to help prepare professionals for collective bargaining

In Solidarity,

 

Jennifer

 

----------

Jennifer Dorning

President

Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO

815 16th Street, NW, 6th Floor

Washington, DC 20006

Member Gary Morgenstein Play A BLACK AND WHITE COOKIE January dates

January 21 and 24, 

release here

Union Meeting: PRO Act and EDI: Prefer woman of color member to join with me as principal in next meeting

 Yes, sorry - meant to say - we have a strong EDI committee but also a very diverse executive board


From Alicia Cook AGMA to Everyone: (1:50 PM)


Could the principals intro union then the speaker? To connect the relationship.
We don't want the optics of this to become the story.


From Lisa Portes SDC (she/her/ella) to Everyone: (1:52 PM)


Supporting Alicia’s suggestion
100% Alicia


From Alicia Cook AGMA to Everyone: (1:59 PM)


Black History Month too is Feb
Union

Information about the bipartisan COVID-19 relief package and the AEMI's shared COVID-19-related priorities

 Hi everyone,

As you likely saw, yesterday a bipartisan group of senators and representatives released a COVID-19 relief package that consists of two bills. One bill addresses PPP, unemployment insurance, and other relief for students, families, workers, and businesses. Another bill provides funding for state and local governments and liability waivers for businesses. It is unclear exactly how this package is viewed right now by Democratic and Republican leadership in the House and Senate, though there are clear signs that the next phase of COVID-19 relief legislation will center around this group's proposal. 

We will aim to keep you updated as negotiations over this proposal and the next steps for COVID-19 relief legislation progress.  As a starting point, we want you to know how the bipartisan proposal addresses the shared priorities of the AEMI. 

This Google Doc briefly summarizes which AEMI priorities are included in the bipartisan COVID-19 relief proposal: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fUnjywEAxQfXxPmM5J_2ycOHO7VJShmMgZD4jj85-oM/edit?usp=sharing

Section-by-section summaries of the two bills are available here: 

"Bipartisan COVID-19 Emergency Relief Act of 2020": https://www.manchin.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Bipartisan%20COVID-19%20Emergency%20Relief%20Act%20of%202020%20FINAL.pdf?cb

"Bipartisan State and Local and Small Business Protection Act of 2020": https://www.manchin.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Bipartisan%20State%20and%20Local%20Support%20and%20Small%20Business%20Protection%20Act%20of%202020.pdf?cb

Please don't hesitate to directly email me with any questions.

Best,

Michael

Michael Wasser

Assistant to the President/Legislative Director

Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO

Reminder AEMI Racial Justice Policy Agenda planning call, tomorrow, Wed. Dec 16th, 1 pm ET

From: Michael Wasser  To:Jennifer Dorning Cc:Katie Barrows Tue, Dec 15 at 5:19 PM

Hi everyone, 

We look forward to seeing you tomorrow, Wednesday, Dec. 16th at 1 pm et for our next AEMI Racial Justice Policy Agenda planning call. We will use this call to discuss a potential distribution and media strategy for the document, which is 

attached for your convenience. 

An agenda and call-in information is below.  

Best,

Michael

Agenda

Welcome/Introductions Review goals for EDI policy agenda Proposed distribution and media plan

Discussion

Next steps

Conclude

Call-in Info

DPE AFL-CIO is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: AEMI Racial Justice Policy Agenda

Time: Dec 16, 2020 01:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 819 8797 8549

Passcode: 548056

One tap mobile

+13017158592,,81987978549#,,,,,,0#,,548056# US (Washington D.C)

+13126266799,,81987978549#,,,,,,0#,,548056# US (Chicago)

##

Michael Wasser

Assistant to the President/Legislative Director

Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO

DPE letter for the record of Dec 15th Senate Commerce hearing re: COVID-19's impact on live event entertainment industry

 Hi everyone,

The Senate Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Manufacturing, Trade, and Consumer Protection is holding a hearing tomorrow, Tuesday, Dec 15th at 10 am ET titled, 

"Examining the Impact of COVID-19 on the Live Event Entertainment Industry."  

A livestream of the hearing is available here: 

https://www.commerce.senate.gov/2020/12/examining-the-impact-of-covid-19-on-the-live-event-entertainment-industry

Today, ahead of the hearing, DPE sent the attached letter for the record to Chairman Jerry Moran and Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal. Our letter reiterates our urgent ask that Congress provide continued economic support for creative professionals impacted by COVID-19. We also sent our Nov. 2020 document:

"Economic Support Needed for Creative Professionals Impacted by COVID-19," 

so that our specific policy asks are also included in the record. 

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Best,

Michael

Michael Wasser

Assistant to the President/Legislative Director

Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO

AEA Courtesy Forward: Soaring Unemployment Numbers Especially for Arts Industry and Benefits lack

 

Soaring Unemployment Numbers Highlight Need for Help for Arts Industry Workers   Millions of Unemployed Americans Not Receiving Their Full Unemployment Benefits  New York – Actors’ Equity Association, the national labor union representing professional actors and stage managers in live theatre, released the following statement following the new unemployment report, which found that over 850,000 Americans have newly applied for unemployment in the last week, the highest it has been since September, and a jump of over 100,000 from the week prior.  The new report comes following a U.S. Government Accountability Office study found that millions of unemployed Americans are not receiving the benefits to which they are entitled under the pandemic unemployment assistance program (PUA) that is used by many in the arts and entertainment industry. According to the study, many states have been paying PUA claims at the minimum benefit level instead of based on past earnings.  “What’s tragic is not just the raw numbers, but more than four months after supplemental federal unemployment benefits expired, the Senate still hasn’t acted,” said Mary McColl, executive director of Actors’ Equity Association. “As the virus continues to rage out of control, the arts and entertainment industry remains shut down and the workers are devastated. Congress must act.”  The arts and entertainment industries are important economic drivers. The average nonprofit arts attendee spends another $31.41 per person, per show beyond the cost of admission, according to Americans for the Arts. That includes spending at restaurants, parking and even the babysitter. Nationally, this audience spending supports 2.3 million jobs, provides $46.6 billion in household income and generates $15.7 billion in total government revenue.  To ensure the survival of union members who cannot safely work during the pandemic, Equity has been fighting for the passage of the HEROES Act since May, which passed the House and has yet to pass the Senate. The current version of the bill includes important provisions including:  The resumption of pandemic unemployment insurance.  $10 billion in emergency arts funding that would be made available via the “Save Our Stages” Act that also includes new, critical worker protections.    An additional $135 million in funding for the National Endowment for the Arts.  New provisions to ensure that workers who earn a mix of traditional (W-2) and independent (e.g. 1099) employment income can fully access the unemployment assistance provided in the CARES Act. ACTORS' EQUITY ASSOCIATION, founded in 1913, is the U.S. labor union that represents more than 51,000 professional actors and stage managers. Equity endeavors to advance the careers of its members by negotiating wages, improving working conditions and providing a wide range of benefits (health and pension included). Member: AFL-CIO, FIA. www.actorsequity.org #EquityWorks   Equity contact: Brandon Lorenz

Recommending personnel for Biden administration

Attached is the spreadsheet 

your union should use to identify recommended personnel for the Biden administration. You can send your completed spreadsheet to me for submission to the Biden transition team. If your union prefers to directly send its recommendations to the transition team, please let me know. Folks should aim to have their recommendations ready for the transition team by this Friday at the latest.

In addition, anyone your union is recommending for a position within the incoming administration should submit their resume via the transition job portal: https://buildbackbetter.gov/join-us/.

Please let me know if you have additional questions.

Best, Michael Wasser, Assistant to the President/Legislative Director

Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO 815 16th Street, NW 6th Floor Washington, DC 20006

www.dpeaflcio.org Twitter: @dpeaflcio Facebook: Facebook.com/dpeaflcio

Momenti Productions "AS YOU LIKE IT" Friday Dec. 11 at 7pm

Live via YouTube on Friday Dec 11th at 7PM.

Show link:

https://youtu.be/u7L51j0gl4c

Emma Schwartz, director, veteran of Royal Shakespeare Company 

DPE President Activity Report November 2020

 Good Morning DPE General Board: 

DPE Leadership Update – The DPE executive committee unanimously elected AFT Secretary-Treasurer Fedrick Ingram as Treasurer of the DPE general board. We are thrilled to welcome Fed to DPE and like all of you look forward to working with him. You can learn more about Fed here. 

 

DPE Executive Committee Meeting – The DPE Executive Committee met virtually for its fall meeting on November 12^th and received updates on AEMI activities, immigration, the veterinary services industry campaign, and DPE research and communications. Executive committee members from 10 DPE affiliates provided updates on the recent general election, COVID-19, organizing, member engagement, bargaining, and other activities within their unions.

 

Legislation/Policy – On November 16^th, DPE and the AEMI unions re-emphasized the need for Congress to provide economic support for creative professionals and their industries. The sector has lost an estimated $14.1 billion with losses expected to continue well into next year. You can read the letter that was distributed to the Hill here. 

 

Member Engagement – DPE is working to schedule out next member engagement roundtable for January. The virtual roundtable will focus on the best ways to engage and represent members working in distributed or remote environments. More information to come. You can indicate your availability here and feel free to forward to anyone in your union. For more information you can contact Ethan Miller, emiller@dpeaflcio.org.  

 

AEMI –Activities in November included:

• Updating and distributing the employment and unemployment data for the arts and entertainment industry. The November update showed continued flat employment with no obvious signs of a rebound.
• Convening the broadcast unions on November 20th to discuss ongoing initiatives and collaboration.

In Memoriam – DPE was saddened by the untimely loss of Transportation Trades Department President Larry Willis. Our hearts go out to his family and loved ones at this difficult time.

 

In Unity,

 

Jennifer

 

----------

Jennifer Dorning

President

Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO

815 16th Street, NW, 6th Floor

Washington, DC 20006

Office: 202-638-0320 x10

www.dpeaflcio.org

Social: @DPEaflcio