EQUITY News JUNE 2010 New York State
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JUNE “Theatregoing 2010 Volume 95 is a communal act; Number 5 moviegoing a solitary one.” EQUITYNEWS — Robert Brustein A Publication of Actors’ Equity Association • NEWS FOR THE THEATRE PROFESSIONAL • www.actorsequity.org • Periodicals Postage Paid at New York, NY and Additional Mailing Offices Nick Wyman Elected President EASTERN REGION Stage Manager –Five-year term 18 Council Principal – Five-year term Ruth E. Kramer 3,913 Seats Filled Dana Ivey 5,181 Greg Hirsch 2,745 ick Wyman has been Maureen Moore 4,217 Not elected: Jason A. Quinn, elected President of Judy Rice 3,759 Timothy R. Semon Equity for a two-year Wally Dunn 3,602 N CENTRAL REGION term. Other candidates for the Scott Evans 3,522 office were: Christine Toy Kristine Nevins 3,324 Chorus – Five-year term Johnson, incumbent Principal Craig A. Meyer 3,163 Ariane Dolan 5,001 Councillor and Brian Myers Joe Zaloom 3,141 Stage Manager – Five-year Cooper, incumbent Chorus Not elected: Tom Helmer, Jackie Taylor (c) is flanked by Cheryl Lynn Bruce and Luther term Councillor plus a write-in. The Ronald L. Brown, Bernard J. Goins. Malcolm D. Ewen 4,990 new President as well as Marsh, Jim Fouratt elected Councillors begin to Principal – Four-year term WESTERN REGION serve immediately. Nicole Flender 5,339 Principal – Five-year term LeNoire Award Presented There were 6,522 total valid Cynthia Marty 4,039 ballots cast, of which 1,868 Principal – Three-year term Tom Moriarty 3,656 to Chicago’s JackieTaylor were cast electronically. Results, Jonathan Brody 5,403 John Herzog 3,630 By Luther Goins recognition. Ms. Taylor, who tabulated by election.com on Chorus – Five-year term National EEO Coordinator knew and worked with Ms. May 21, 2010 are as follows: Bill Bateman 5,326 Not elected: Bostin Christopher LeNoire, is also a playwright ackie Taylor, the Founder and an Equity Actor. She has and Executive Director of J penned (and produced) more Trustee for the Pension and Chicago’s Black Ensemble than 100 plays. Wyman Outlines Goals Health Trust Funds. In addition, Theater, has received Equity’s The Black Ensemble’s he has worked on nearly all of 2010 Rosetta LeNoire Award. ick Wyman stepped areas of the country.” He mission remains to cross the contracts negotiated by the The award was presented on into his new post continued, “I will dedicate myself cultural barriers and help Union, and has served as the May 3, 2010 by Central Region saying, “I am honored, to improving the lives and eradicate ignorance and racism. N Deputy for all of the productions Equal Employment Opportunity delighted and humbled to be working conditions of our It does this through productions in which he appeared. His Committee Co-Chair Cheryl elected President of Actors’ members, and to that service, I and programs that perpetuate dedicated service to Equity Lynn Bruce at a reception at the Equity Association.” Mr. Wyman offer my experience, reputation the history of the African includes serving on four Equity office attended by staff, fills the position vacated by and leadership.” American people while reaching Production Contract negotiation Central Regional Board Mark Zimmerman in December, Mr. Wyman brings to the post out to a diverse audience and committees, as well as the members, the EEO Committee, 2009 and held on an interim of President more than 20 serving disenfranchised National Public Policy, House Black Ensemble staff and board, basis by First Vice President years’ experience as a National communities. Affairs, Strategic Alliance and and friends and family. Paige Price. His term of office Councillor and eight years as a The Rosetta LeNoire Award, Merger and the 2010 Executive Ms. Taylor’s cultural will be through the conclusion of established in 1988, recognizes Director Search committees. contributions to the city of elections in 2012. outstanding artistic contributions An Equity member since Chicago, and to the country, are In outlining his goals, Mr. to the universality of the human 1974, Nick has worked under a vast, numerous and diverse. Wyman said, “An ancient curse experience in American Theatre. variety of contracts, including There is a street on the North says, ‘May you live in interesting The Award is given to an Production (Broadway, National Side of Chicago that has been times,’ and these are indeed individual, theatre or producing Tour and bus and truck), Special named in her honor by the City interesting times. My priority will organization with an exemplary Production, LORT, Off in recognition of her be to improve communication, record in the hiring or promotion Broadway, ANTC, WCLO, and contributions to the arts. The both by clarifying and focusing of ethnic minorities, female Staged Reading. He created the Black Ensemble Theater, which the message and mission of actors and actors with role of “Monsieur Firmin” in the is celebrating 30 years, has Actors’ Equity and by soliciting disabilities through multi-racial original Broadway company of grown into a million-dollar and listening to the concerns and/or non-traditional casting. organization with national and ideas of members in all Nick Wyman. Photo: newhartphoto.com (continued on page 7) Equity Members Respond to Community Projects n all-star cast gathered based on the book by Kerry February 2010. The cast included respond when news of an explo - for a one-night only per - Kennedy to help raise funds for Marcia Gay Harden, Elias sion in an underground West Vir - Aformance of a play by the relief efforts of Habitat for Koteas, Alfred Molina, Julianne ginia mine made headlines in Ariel Dorfman, Speak Truth to Humanity in Chile, where an 8.8 Moore, Viggo Mortenesen, Aidan April 2010. Both the Broadway Power: Voices Beyond the Dark , earthquake caused devastation in Quinn, Gloria Reuben, Paul and touring company of the musi - Sorvino, Meryl cal, set in a mining town, raised Streep, Stan - money to support the American ley Tucci and Red Cross relief efforts to help Debra Winger. the families of the victims and the Held in May, community. the event was For the third year in a row, an presented by (continued on page 4) Mr. Dorfman, Ms. Kennedy, Index S the Robert F. Kennedy Cen - Nick Wyman elected President .... 1 W d e t ter for Justice E t s Wyman outlines goals .............. 1 e e 6 e u e 3 and Human N g r q 0 Y t a e t 0 N NYS COBRA payments delayed ... 2 S s R 1 Rights and , Y o k h e r P t Y c i T o 6 s The Public v N Y Letters ................................. 2 r s 4 I , e a w t l k e S r s Theater. C U N e s o d Postcards from the Regions ....... 3 s Y n n i W e The casts r o w d Q 5 d c i e d e 6 a of Billy Elliot Gypsy Robes: 2009-2010 ........... 5 1 A N S P E The cast of Speak Truth to Power: Voices Beyond the Dark . (Photo: Anita/Steve Shevett) were quick to 2 / EQUITY news JUNE 2010 New York State U.S.Postage Letters to The Editor 44 Letters received from paid up members on subjects of concern to Equity member s will be considered and COBRA Payments Delayed; published as soon as possible. The Editor reserves the right to limit letters to 150 words and to select one or two representative letters when many similar letters are received. Letters must be signed, but names Participants Must Pay in Full will be withheld on request for those letters which may affect members’ employment. Signatures will not ffective June 2010, New the Fund can no longer provide be withheld on letters antagonistic or accusatory, either implied or expressed, against other members. York State COBRA coverage and then wait for NY Opinions expressed in Letters to the Editor are not necessarily those of Actors’ Equity Association. Epremiums that are State to pay the COBRA ANNIVERSARY planned, and I would encourage ple contribution of $1 when expected to be covered by the subsidy. CELEBRATION any past company members or matched by their fellow audience State subsidy program will The Fund deeply regrets the need to be paid in full by difficulties this change in policy Dear Editor: audience members to join us. It members would add up to thou - Equity Health Plan will impose on many The Peninsula Players Theatre will be a night to rekindle acquain - sands. participants no later than the participants, and if you do not in Fish Creek, Wisconsin will be tances and share memories of Our Santa Claus, actor Ken end of each month (e.g., June have the resources to pay for celebrating its 75th Anniversary shows and fellow company mem - Cavett, made an irresistible curtain 30 for June premiums). As the additional premium, you are this year. Over the decades Penin - bers. speech, and we sold copies of sula Players has provided actors Ticket information is available at Carols for a Cure , which featured soon as the Fund receives urged to contact The Actors and technicians the opportunity to the theatre’s website, the John Engeman cast of Little payment of the June premium Fund for assistance, hone their skills and pass along www.peninsulaplayers.com . For - Shop of Horrors. subsidy from New York State, it www.actorsfund.org. You can their craft to company interns and mer Players may also email mem - We had 11 children in the cast, will credit that payment to the contact the Fund Office for an apprentices. ories to all of whom participated enthusias - participant’s account as he or accounting of what will be due Artistic Director Greg Vinkler, [email protected] or tically.