AEMI Diversity conference featuring members Carson Grant and Tonille Watkis transcripts

 2 beautiful speeches, Carson first who introduced Tonille.

Carson Grant:

Good Afternoon, thank you for inviting us to join such a rich group of talent. "Reflecting on the preamble

of the United States Constitution, 'We the People...' includes all races and ethnicities, all ages and sexes,

all creeds of beliefs, religions, and spiritualities, to be re-embraced and made anew in 2021."

"GIAA is resolute with our efforts to nurture these words from our USA Constitution in our daily

considerations of others and our activities, asking our members to share their creative and innovative

ideas of inclusion and promote forward thinking and development for all. 

The Arts are the crossroads all societies meet. 

I am proud to introduce one of our GIAA members Tonille Watkis, former Miss Black America.

Tonille Watkis:

Good Afternoon everyone, my name is Tonille Watkis. I’m a black woman, the daughter of

Jamaican Immigrants, an actor of color and a member of the Guild of Italian American Actors, and 

proudly so. My grandmother had a saying in patois which translated means “what is for you, will always 

be yours” and as I’ve listened to each of you, leaders in this industry, speak today about the importance of

camaraderie, acceptance and inclusion for all who make great contributions to the industry I love.

 I must say, I feel as though my work in theatrical outreach and educational theatre have prepared me for 

such a time as this.

I thank you all for the opportunity to speak about the Guild of Italian American Actors involvement

in the advancement of equity and inclusion in the arts, especially during Black History Month in the

aftermath of a year where the importance of prioritizing diversity and inclusion could not be ignored.

GIAA was founded in 1937 as the Italian Actors Union in order to protect people – often

immigrants – working in Italian language radio. We remain as such an ethnic union. We work in sync with

and support all the performing unions.

In addition to encouraging Italian performers and those who speak the Italian language, GIAA is

proud to welcome and encourage membership by people of every ethnic and racial group. GIAA is proud

to be a diverse organization, and we value the richness that all of our members bring to the group.

We’ve implemented a diversity survey to identify the make-up of our organization by ethnic origin,

gender identification, and age. Our web site offers members the opportunity to share their head shot and

resume publicly. We look forward to continuing to welcome people of every background in the years

ahead.

Once again, I thank you for the opportunity to share and to be among the voices speaking in

hopes of making a difference.

FY 21 budget reconciliation package next round of COVID-19 relief

 Hi everyone, 

As you're presumably aware, this week House committees are marking up their portions of the FY 21 budget reconciliation package, which is the vehicle for the next round of COVID-19 relief. Once the House committees complete their markups, the House Budget Committee will markup the combined text, and then it will move to the House floor for a vote likely during the week of February 22nd. (The Senate will then go through its own process.)

This Google Doc briefly summarizes which AEMI shared COVID-19 priorities are included in the initial reconciliation legislation: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eLD_cWSZWA9GQO_AKR8GD2_3j6GfM-SAm5JSUMRupPw/edit?usp=sharing

In particular, we want to note that the House reconciliation language includes PPP access for 501(c)5 organizations. DPE submitted the attached letter to the House Small Business Committee ahead of its markup tonight in support of this provision.  

We'll keep you updated as the reconciliation process continues to unfold. 

Best,

Michael

Michael Wasser

Assistant to the President/Legislative Director

Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO

ESPAfest Week of FREE Classes and Performances

Primary Stages ESPA

Mêlisa Annis (Writer, Director, and Dramaturg; Faculty, NYU Tisch Dramatic Writing Program); Karen Braga (Alexander Techique for Performance Teacher); Erin Daley (Associate Artistic Director, Primary Stages); Judy Gold (Emmy Award winning Comedian); Kimberly Immanuel (Actor, Website Designer); Zachary Fine (Writer, Bewilderness at Playmakers Rep; Actor, China Doll on Broadway, Timon of Athens and Measure for Measure at TFANA); Winter Miller (Writer, In Darfur at The Public Theater, No One Is Forgotten at Rattlestick); and more!

Production Description

Primary Stages Off-Broadway Einhorn School of Performing Arts is opening our virtual doors to all those in the ever-growing ESPA community for a week of FREE collaborations and networking opportunities with artists in all stages of their careers. Whether you’re interested in attending a free workshop or seeing some of our artists perform, join us at ESPAfest this week February 8-13 – and bring your friends!

FREE PERFORMANCE - SOLO TRAIN

hosted by Judy Gold

with Heidi Armbruster, Laurie Braun, Beth Broun, Amy Crossman, Sam Given, Nan Hoffman, John Mudd, Gail Payne, Nicole Soul

Monday, February 8 at 7:30pm ET

via Live Stream on YouTube!

What's more exciting in the theater than a performer baring it all? Solo Train is an evening of new work by Solo Performers from the Primary Stages Einhorn School of Performing Arts (ESPA), who've been guided by renowned actress and Emmy Award-winning writer Judy Gold. Inspired by stories from their own life, each writer/performer has honed their performance to its most essential elements. Some stories are hilarious. Some stories are moving. Each story is bracingly fresh. Solo Train will be presented online! Once you RSVP, you will receive a Zoom link to our live performance.

FREE WORKSHOP - Intro to Dramatic Writing

with Mêlisa Annis (Writer, Director, and Dramaturg; Faculty, NYU Tisch Dramatic Writing Program)

Tuesday, February 9 from 12:00pm – 1:00pm ET

via Zoom!

What is dramatic writing? And what are the tools you need to get started, and keep going? Led by writer, director, and dramaturg Mêlisa Annis, you will demystify the art form together.

FREE WORKSHOP - Alexander Technique: How to De-Stress on Zoom

with Karen Braga (Alexander Techique for Performance Teacher)

Tuesday, February 9 from 2:00pm – 3:00pm ET

via Zoom!

Join Alexander Technique for Performance Teacher Karen Braga for a workshop on how to de-stress on Zoom. Whether you're online for meetings, auditions, or acting classes, learn how to sit for optimum comfort, use breath to release tension, and practice simple exercises to energize and rejuvenate.

FREE WORKSHOP - Seeing Between the Lines: The Night Watcher

with Erin Daley (Associate Artistic Director, Primary Stages)

Tuesday, February 9 from 6:00pm – 8:00pm ET

via Zoom!

The dramaturg's job is to read between the lines and enhance a script with specificity and accuracy. This workshop will teach you to watch and read a play from the perspective of a dramaturg and see what you've been missing.

For our upcoming Encore Virtual Presentation of Charlayne Woodard's The Night Watcher, you will read the script in advance of class and then delve into the text with Primary Stages Associate Artistic Director Erin Daley – giving you an exciting perspective and insight, whether you watched the virtual performance originally or are seeing it fresh the next week! With your eyes opened, you'll be able to incorporate dramaturgical practice into your work as a writer, actor, or director.

*All participants will receive a free link to our virtual encore of The Night Watcher, which runs from February 17-28.

FREE WORKSHOP - From "Why" to Website: Websites for Artists

with Kimberly Immanuel (Actor, Website Designer)

Wednesday, February 10 from 5:00pm – 6:00pm ET

via Zoom!

Get inspired to think outside the screen as you design your website. For folx looking to create their website from scratch and those wanting to give their site or brand a refresh, actor and website designer Kimberly Immanuel’s approach to designing an artist’s website will empower you to create and design a website that accurately represents, expresses, and celebrates who you really are!

FREE WORKSHOP - RECESS!

with Zachary Fine (Writer, Bewilderness at Playmakers Rep; Actor, China Doll on Broadway, Timon of Athens and Measure for Measure at TFANA)

Wednesday, February 10 from 7:00pm – 7:45pm ET

via Zoom!

Facilitating connection and boosting morale on an online platform can seem like a monumental task. Trust us, we know! Let us integrate some play into your workday.

Are you looking to increase collaboration? Are you curious as to how to optimize productivity, combat Zoom fatigue, and make online work more effective? Are you on the hunt for some fun ice-breakers and games that won't bore your group to death? Are you sick of the same old, oh-so-awkward "virtual happy hour?" If so, read on, player!

Founded by artists Zachary Fine and Arielle Yoder, RECESS optimizes teamwork, sharpens focus, and fosters creativity by integrating play into the workday through a series of games customized for your team and uniquely designed for the online workplace.

In this workshop, Zack will show you how to invigorate any virtual space with joy, curiosity, and fun. This workshop is for anyone – whether you want to enliven your company, team, rehearsal room, or family Zoom.

HOW WE HEAL – A Discussion with Chesney Snow and Sharon Washington

moderated by Erin Daley

Thursday, February 12 from 5:00pm – 6:00pm ET

via Zoom!

This discussion between artists Chesney Snow and Sharon Washington, and Primary Stages Associate Artistic Director Erin Daley will explore the role of artists in this extraordinary moment and our responsibility to avoid complacency and cultivate active motion. Join us as we imagine a better, more empathetic future and discover what we as artists have to say – and what we need to listen to.

FREE WORKSHOP - Write-In

with Winter Miller (Writer, In Darfur at The Public Theater, No One Is Forgotten at Rattlestick)

Friday, February 12 from 1:00pm – 2:00pm ET

via Zoom!

Last month, in response to the Inauguration and all that led up to it, we held a Write-In with Winter Miller, who provided a reflective space for all. Reflection can always deepen, so now that we are two months into this new year, we’d like to check in and invite you to another Write-In with Winter this Friday, February 12 at 1pm ET. We hope you will join us and facilitator Winter Miller to come together as a community and write it out.

FREE PERFORMANCE - DETENTION #51: Word Have Power

Detention is an evening of new and original theater pieces written, directed, and performed exclusively by ESPA artists.

Friday, February 12 and Saturday, February 13 at 7:00pm ET

via Live Stream on YouTube!

This virtual edition of Detention is a challenging opportunity for writers to create material for a specific person, for actors to receive and perform a monologue or scene written especially for them, and for directors to rehearse, film, and edit a virtual performance.

"At their best... words... can inspire. At their worst, they can incite." – President Joe Biden on January 6, 2021

As we've seen throughout history—and even these past weeks—words have immense power. They have the potential to instill great wisdom and insight, or incite violence... depending on where you place the emphasis. For this Detention, we asked out artists to think about the power of words—both our greatest tool for hope and our greatest weapon of fear—and create pieces about the power of words and the implications on those that choose to wield them. With hope and change in sight, we empower you to use your words to provide insight into who we are, and incite change toward everything we could be.

For more information about ESPAfest and to RSVP for all events, please visit: https://primarystages.org/espa/our-community/espafest

Virtual Trivia Game Show Host

PAIDWORK FROM HOMENONUNION

EXPIRES:February 28, 2021 6:59 PM

Do Something Trivia for a Cause Justin Pigeon, chief of development

Production Description

Casting virtual trivia game show host. Production states: "Do Something Trivia for a Cause is an online platform that brings people together to learn, to connect, and to do something good for the world. Our company started when COVID hit the US and since then we have raised over $15,000 for 35 different grass roots organizations. We are currently looking for additional game show hosts that are tech savy, that like nerding out over trivia, and want an opportunity to entertain an audience and do something good for the world."

Roles

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the game show hosts manage virtual trivia events over zoom. They host live audiences of up to 200 participants and so we are looking for someone who has a high level of emotional intelligence, that can manage technology, and the understands the importance of customer service.

Required Media: Headshot/Photo, Video Reel

Required Skills: 

• Hosting/Presenting

ApplySave Draft

Rehearsal and Production Dates & Locations

The events are booked based on our clients needs and they typically happen during the late afternoon to evenings and on some weekends. This is a remote and ongoing role.

Compensation & Union Contract Details

Professional Pay: $60Pays $60 dollars a game to host a 3 hour virtual trivia game remotely for private and corporate events.

Additional Instructions:

In your submission comment on the following questions:
What is your comfort level managing zoom and google forms?
Why do you want to be a virtual trivia host?
How would you describe your game show host personality?

Additional Materials

Website:https://www.dosomethingtrivia.com/

casting Couple for Fashion Company Shoot

EXPIRES:February 24, 2021 6:59 PM

Memoria Di llc, Sarah, coord.

Production Description

Casting couples in the NYC area for a well-known fashion brand. Company states: "A super inclusive and fun project for Valentines day, looking for all different types of people and lovers."

Roles

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all types of couples for a well known fashion brand's shoot.

Ethnicity: All Ethnicities

Required Media: Headshot/Photo

ApplySave Draft

Rehearsal and Production Dates & Locations

Shoots in early February in NYC!

Compensation & Union Contract Details

Deferred PayDay rate TBD.

Key Details

Seeking talent from:

New York, NY

Additional Instructions:

Email names and photos of partners in the relationship, contact info, and social media links to sarah@memoriadi.com.

Additional Materials

Website:http://memoriadi.com

COBRA subsidies in COVID relief package

Dear Carlo,   As vaccine availability ramps up, we know that the day is coming when theaters will be able to safely reopen across the country. But in the meantime, workers all across our industry are struggling. Since April, Actors' Equity has been pushing Congress to consider specific plans to help entertainment workers survive the pandemic.    After months of hard work, the Biden administration has heard our call. There's a proposal in President Biden's $1.9 trillion COVID relief package that could help: a COBRA subsidy through September.   This proposal provides a reimbursement for the cost of the often-expensive COBRA premiums for workers who normally receive coverage through their job, but have lost work. That would give Equity members more time while the industry works toward reopening.   The proposal is in President Biden's plan, but we need your help to make sure it stays in Congress's relief bill. Will you email your members of Congress to tell them why arts workers need the COBRA subsidy?   We're working all our contacts in Congressional offices, but nothing matters more to the Senators and Representatives than hearing from constituents like you. Please, take two minutes and use our tool to email your members of Congress today.   In solidarity,   Actors' Equity Association

'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel'

Grant Wilfley Casting Jackie B, casting dir. Casting men and women with real serving experience for work on the Amazon series "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel," season 4!

Roles

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must be okay working around atmospheric smoke; no wool allergies; interior work; men must be okay getting a 1960s haircut if needed and being clean shaven on the shoot date; women's hair requirements are as follows: no fashion colors; no wigs; no weaves; no braids; no undercuts; no ombré or unnatural looking highlights; no roots if hair is colored; hair must be above the shoulders, it cannot touch the shoulders. If hair touches shoulders, it will need to be cut by our hair dept; short hair is ok; any texture is ok; gray hair on more mature women is great; no tattoos for women; men cannot have any visible tattoos that won''t be covered in a suit.

Rehearsal and Production Dates & Locations

Shoots Feb. 18 and 19 in NYC.

Compensation & Union Contract Details

Professional Pay: $210/dayPays $210/12hrs for non union. SAG rates apply to SAG members.

Key Details

Seeking talent from:

Brooklyn, NY; New York City, NY; Long Island City, NY; Queens, NY

Additional Instructions:

Email a current candid photo to tmmm@gwcnyc.com with the following information: your name, phone number, SAG-AFTRA or non-union, are you AEA? Are you avail for all the dates? (shoot date is Feb. 18 and 19 (must be able to do both) with covid tests on Feb. 16 and 17. All wardrobe sizes (Men: height, weight, jacket, neck, sleeve, waist, inseam, shoe. Women: height, weight, dress, bust, waist, hip, shoe.) Men: Are you okay getting a 1960s haircut if needed? Men: are you okay being clean shaven on the shoot date? Women: what is the current length of your hair? Women: does your hair touch your shoulders? Women: if your hair touches your shoulders, are you okay having it cut by our hair dept?Women: do you have any highlights, undercuts, weaves, extensions, braids, bayalage or color in your hair? Or do you wear a wig? What forms of ID can you bring to set to fill out an I9? Are you 18 years old or older? Have you worked on the show before? If so when and as what? Are you local to the tri-state area? Do you have ANY tattoos? (this includes, hands, feet, ankles, back of neck, behind the ear.) Do you have any real life experience as a server? If so, explain. Attach current, candid photos. Need to see current hair style and length. One photo should be full body. Subject line should say "Backstage Waitress."