Council Renewal EVERY THREE YEARS WE DEDICATE an ISSUE OF

Home , Lucy Peacock (actress)

EQUITY QUARTERLY SPRING 2018

THINKING OF STANDING FOR ELECTION? THE ILLUSION OF INTIMACY EQ COUNCIL’S END OF TERM WRAP-UP

Council Renewal EVERY THREE YEARS WE DEDICATE AN ISSUE OF

EQ TO EQUITY COUNCIL FOR A RECAP OF THE

WORK THEY HAVE BEEN DOING – AS WELL AS

A LOOK AHEAD TO THE FUTURE. SINCE SPRING

IS A TIME OF REBIRTH AND RENEWAL, THIS IS

THE PERFECT TIME OF YEAR TO REFLECT ON HOW

OUR ASSOCIATION CONTINUES TO GROW STRONG

AS WE MOVE IN NEW DIRECTIONS TO MAKE

WORKING CONDITIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES

BETTER FOR ALL OUR MEMBERS. EQUITY QUARTERLY SPRING 2018 EQ VOLUME 11 NUMBER 3

6 What your Equity 2 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Council has been 3 NOTES FROM ARDEN R. RYSHPAN 4 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR up to 5 EQ HONOURS 12 Intimacy Directing 11 EQUITY ELECTIONS takes the stage 17 DANCE EQUITY 18 IN MEMORIAM 20 Not In OUR Space! 19 EQ NEWS continues to roll out 21 EQ FLASHBACK

Equity members can submit letters to the editor via email at [email protected]. The deadline for submissions Coming issue: FALL 2018 EQ is Monday, August 20, 2018. EQ reserves the right to edit for length, style and content. Subscriptions are available at an annual rate of $35, including GST. EQ Equity Quarterly (ISSN 1913-2190) is a forum to discuss issues of interest to members concerning their Publications Mail Agreement No. 40038615 SPRING 2018 – Volume 11, Number 3 craft, developments in the industry, Equity’s role in the workplace, and the important position live performance Each volume of EQ is published annually by Canadian Actors’ Equity Association. EXECUTIVE EDITOR Lynn McQueen holds in the cultural and social fabric of Canada. It is also used as an advocacy tool to educate others about National Office the industry, promote live performance in Canada, and celebrate the achievements of Equity members. 44 Victoria Street, 12th Floor, Toronto, ON M5C 3C4 EDITOR Barb Farwell Tel: 416-867-9165 | Fax: 416-867-9246 | Toll-free: 1-800-387-1856 (members only) Canadian Actors’ Equity Association (Equity) is the voice of professional artists working in live [email protected] | www.caea.com performance in English Canada. We represent almost 6,000 performers, directors, choreographers, fight DESIGN & LAYOUT Chris Simeon, Western Office September Creative directors and stage managers working in theatre, opera and dance, and support their creative efforts 1316-750 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1J3 by seeking to improve their working conditions and opportunities by negotiating and administering Tel: 604-682-6173 | 604-682-6174 | Toll free: 1-877-682-6173 (members only) collective agreements, providing benefit plans, information and support and acting as an advocate. [email protected]

Above: Lucy Peacock (centre) as Agave with members of the company in Bakkhai at Stratford Festival, 2017. An intimacy director was brought on board since the production contained many scenes with sexual moments President’s message

Happy spring. Welcome to this issue of the season, this issue is dedicated to the ideaEQ of, Councilyour source Renewal. for all It things focuses Equity! on the efforts of your National Council, a committed group of 22 members just like you, and on the upcomingIn keeping elections with in the fall, which will result in a new “crop” of Councillors who will move Equity forward into its future. When I tell my colleagues and coworkers that I serve as a National Councillor I invariably get asked, “What does that mean exactly? What the heck do you do at those meetings?” Great ques tions, and exactly the same ones I used to ask before I decided to run for Council. Even after I was elected it took some time to learn about how Council runs, what its function is, and how it relates - to staff activity. Well, here’s a brief look at how your Council operates. Council’s job is to provide good governance for Equity, overseeing the resources given by the members (dues), and establishing specific uses for those resources. All of our work is guided by a number of stated goals or “Organizational Results.” The primary goal is stated this way: Equity exists to promote the professional, artistic and economic advancement of Equity members within a live performance community that is inclusive, evolving and vibrant, seeking to reflect the diverse society in which we live. So how do we accomplish this? Council uses a system called “Policy Governance Principles” to run its business. The system was created by a man named John Carver in the 1970s and is used by many commercial, non-profit, and public sector organizations to provide solid systems of guidance for their activity. There are three major components in this model: • The Owners (that’s you, the Equity members) • The Board (that’s us, your elected and appointed National Council) • The Executive (Arden R. Ryshpan, Executive Director – Council’s direct link to staff activity) This model states that Council’s job is to enact the will of the members and create policy to see that happen. Our Executive Director’s sible for day-to-day operations thatjob fulfill is to those policies. Council monitors staff through the Executive implement the policies set by Director to Council, and ensure that those to be respon- assessments along the way. policies are achieving the desired results, The philosophy of Policy Governance is that it is a function of service toand the makes Owners. adjustments Again, that’s and you! The more informed the Owners are on how their company works and what their policies are, the more they will get out of their company. Got an idea about what Equity should be doing? Let’s talk! Of course the details are more intricate, but that’s the basic gist of how things go around the Council table. We meet 10 times per year: seven times by teleconference for a couple of hours, and three times in person, usually in Toronto, for a two-day intensive. Our work includes discussing staff activity, overseeing committee work, fielding inquiries from members, and generally brainstorming for new ideas on how to make things better for our community. It’s always a full agenda, and we have our work cut out for us to keep this ship running smoothly! For more details on our recent activities, have a look inside. Wishing you all the very best,

Scott Bellis Council President

2 EQUITY QUARTERLY SPRING 2018 Notes from Arden R. Ryshpan

Endings and beginnings… it seems appropriate somehow to speak of these things in the late spring when everything, including Equity’s National Council, is beginning the process of renewing itself. People often quote Winston Churchill on the nature of democracies (inaccurately, as it turns out) but here is what he actually said: “Many forms of Government have been tried, and will be tried in this world of sin and woe. No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed it has been said that democracy is the worst form of Government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.” Consistent with democratic practices, every three years you have an opportunity to choose your representatives for the next term. And as imperfect a system as it may be, it still allows for you, the individual member, to express your wishes through the choice of your elected representative. Please keep an eye on your inbox over the coming weeks as you will begin to receive information from us pertinent to the election. Your outgoing Council always uses this issue of EQ to let you know what they have tackled during their term and what projects they will be passing along to those who come after them. Their issues and concerns are varied but they all have a deep concern for the improved welfare of the members at their heart. While we might not have accomplished all we would have liked to, I can assure you that your elected Councillors have worked hard to make the best decisions they can on your behalf. Also in this issue, we explore the emerging discipline of intimacy direction. Many people find scenes of intimacy or nudity uncomfortable to stage. At worst, they are an opportunity for members to harass one another, sometimes right on stage in the middle of a performance. Intimacy direction seeks to codify the way in which these scenes are developed and staged, providing a safe and respectful workspace for all involved. With more and more attention paid to harassment in the workplace, I am sure you will find this approach to staging these scenes extremely refreshing and a welcome tool in the kit to combat inappropriate behaviour. Let me take this opportunity to thank those Councillors who will not be returning in the next term for all of their hard work, thoughtfulness and determination to continue to find ways to improve the working lives of artists in live performance. Like those who have come before them, we always build on the achievements of our predecessors and I am confident that the new Council members will bring their own integrity and intelligence to the table. I wish all the outgoing Councillors all the very best for the rest of their professional career in Equity.

In Solidarity,

Arden R. Ryshpan Executive Director

SPRING 2018 EQUITY QUARTERLY 3 Letters to the editor

EQUITY QUARTERLY SPRING/SUMMER 2017 Not in OUR Space! LETTERS on subjects of concern to Equity members NATIONAL ANTI-HARASSMENT CAMPAIGN will be considered for publication. Letters must be signed, Through the Not in OUR Space! initiative, Equity is raising DANCE EQUITY PROJECT KICKS OFF but names will be withheld on request for those letters WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE HARASSED awareness and providing real support to members facing that may affect members’ employment. Letters that EQ include artistic criticism of Equity members or letters that are antagonistic or accusatory, either implied or expressed, harassment and bullying. While the allegations have been may be withheld or edited at the discretion of the editor. Opinions expressed in Letters to the Editor are not neces- shocking, Equity is there to promote respectful workplaces sarily those of the Association. and respond in a positive and supportive way. We all have PHOTO AND PRODUCTION CREDITS a role to play in setting the stage for artists to create their Cover, Inside Front Cover and page 6: Illustration by Alexandra Larina, Shutterstock. best work. Thank you Equity for leading the way. Pages 1 and 12: Photos: Cylla von Tiedemann. Bakkhai — Janet Sellery, Health & Safety Consultant, (2017) by Euripides with a new version by Anne Carson produced by Stratford Festival. Directed by Jillian Keiley Sellery Health + Safety with intimacy choreography by Tonia Sina and fight Respectful Workspaces Co-Founder, Canadian Event Safety Summit direction by John Stead. Cast: Sarah Afful, Jasmine Chen, Laura Condlln, Rosemary Dunsmore, Quelemia Sparrow, Diana Tso, Bahia Watson, Graham Abbey, Nigel Bennett, Equity recently presented the Not in OUR Space! campaign to the Edmonton Arts Council Mac Fyfe, Brad Hodder, Gordon S. Miller, André Morin, Lucy Peacock and E.B. Smith. Stage managed by Bona and a group of local and provincial arts service organizations. We appreciated the work Duncan assisted by Kimberly Brown and Ann Stuart. that Equity did to set the context for the campaign and present concrete examples and Page 3: Photo of Arden R. Ryshpan by Michael Cooper. materials to our group. We look forward to continuing this important conversation and Page 14: Photo of Tonia Sina by Dahlia Katz. Chart: Line drawings by Daniela Barreto, Shutterstock, with illustration establishing a supportive anti-harassment framework for our arts organizations and artists by Chris Simeon. at the local level. Page 15: Photo of Siobhan Richardson by Dahlia Katz. Page 16: Photo: Cylla von Tiedemann. Bunny (2018) — Sanjay Shahani, Executive Director, Edmonton Arts Council by Hannah Moscovitch produced by Tarragon Theatre. Directed by Sarah Garton Stanley assisted by James Wallis with intimacy coach Siobhan Richardson. Cast: Gabriella Albino, Maev Beaty, Rachel Cairns, Matthew Edison, Cyrus What would you like to read about Lane, Jesse LaVercombe and Tony Ofori. Stage managed by Sandy Plunkett assisted by Katherine Belyea (apprentice). We want in EQ? Page 21: Photo: Lucas Boutilier. Merry Wives of Windsor Please send your letters, comments (2017) by William Shakespeare produced by The Freewill Shakespeare Festival. Directed by Ashley Wright with and questions to [email protected] choreography by Laura Krewski. Cast: Julien Arnold, to hear by Monday, August 20, 2018, Robert Benz, Alex Cherovsky, Nadien Chu, Belinda Cornish, Nathan Cuckow, Jesse Gervais, Troy O’Donnell, for consideration for the upcoming Ryan Parker, Ron Pederson, Chris Pereira, Cayley Thomas, from you! Fall issue. John Ullyatt, Stephanie Wolfe and John Wright. Stage managed by Kerry Johnson assisted by Sang Sang Lee.

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS RRSP FUNDS ATLANTIC MANITOBA / NUNAVUT Markeda McKay Adam Daniel Koren Ben Caplan Nelson Bettencourt Reid McTavish Wajdi Mouawad ON HOLD Katie Dorian Christina Heather David Michael Moote Dakota Jamal Wellman Kya Mosey Brett Owen Rachel Mutombo SASKATCHEWAN There are a number of Equity Spenser Payne Madelyn Narod BRITISH COLUMBIA / Andre Harden members who have RRSP YUKON Shannon Unger Hilary J. Nichol Tony Ofori SOUTHERN ALBERTA Sarah Roa Canero N. ALBERTA / NWT John Knight money on hold with Equity. Frank Parks Steffanie Davis Jordan Mah Sash Striga Dan Payne Please visit www.caea.com and Leah Fong Mike Tan ONTARIO Andrew Pimento Shannon Hanbury Jamie Tognazzini click “RRSP Funds on Hold” on Nathan Kay Gabriella Albino Victor Pokinko Camille Legg Sara Allison Candy Pryce STAGE MANAGEMENT the right-hand sidebar to see if Sean Harris Oliver Justina Aveyard Andrew Joseph Richardson Alice Ferreyra your name is on the list, or if Aaron M. Wells Kurtis Leon Baker Joel Schaefer Jordan Guetter Alexandra Brynn Giovanni Spina Stephanie Kincade you know someone on this list. DANCE Bracken Burns Kelsey Rae Apolonia Velasquez Natasha Strilchuk If so, please contact Equity’s Alexander Crowther Gabriella Sundar Singh Erin Valentine E. ONTARIO/OUTAOUAIS Shakura Dickson Vanessa Trenton Emlyn VanBruinswaardt National Office immediately Bénédicte Bélizaire Maria Zarrillo Michael Gaty Michelle Urbano ([email protected]) to EASTERN OPERA Heather Kosik Chris Weatherstone WESTERN OPERA Matthew Dalen François MacDonald Zac Williams Adam da Ros open an RRSP account. Sarah Williamson Emily Siobhan McCourt Chris Wilson Micah Schroeder

4 EQUITY QUARTERLY SPRING 2018 EQ Honours Celebrating outstanding members

Every two years we celebrate outstanding Equity members at our Honours Awards Celebration. Meet two of the members who will be honoured in June at this special event.

Chick Reid – Life Membership in Equity Ryan G. Hinds – Stage West – Equity Emerging Chick has made an outstanding contri- Artist Award bution to Canadian theatre by working A recent participant in Factory Theatre’s across the country in theatres both large training program for early career directors, and small, and playing a wide array of Ryan has already made a name for himself characters. by creating work that reflects his queer From Theatre New Brunswick and and mixed racial identity. He has toured the Neptune Theatre in the east, to the his own performance pieces and became National Arts Centre, the Stratford and a member of Equity when he performed in Shaw Festivals, Toronto’s Theatre Plus, Magnus Theatre’s 2017 production of We and the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre Will Rock You in Thunder Bay, Ontario. – Chick has thrilled audiences and inspired her colleagues. From MacArthur Park Suite: A Disco Ballet, which he created Her contribution as a mentor has also made any stage and and performed for Buddies in Bad Times’ Rhubarb Festival, to rehearsal hall she touched a better place to work. At Stratford in his position as Associate Artist at lemonTree productions, Ryan is particular, she has been an important influence on up-and-coming dedicated to creating equitable and diverse theatre by promoting actors who learn from her talent and skill, but also from the way inclusivity and ensuring what’s on stage reflects the world around she conducts herself in the process of her work, treats her col- us. As a result, his work isn’t just about the story, but about who leagues, and never stops her education as an artist. is being given the opportunity to do the work. Year after year Chick has also been one of the most popu- When he is bringing a team together for a production, Ryan lar drama instructors at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, mixes established artists with newer emerging ones. This not only where she has a reputation for demanding an extremely high creates an exciting dynamic, his mentorship has helped to shape, standard of work from her students. Her success in helping stu- create and sustain careers for many artists. Ryan also has a keen dents understand the art of acting is astonishing, and the effect of sense of equitable practices during rehearsal, and ensures that her work is easily seen in comparing the work of students before every voice in the room is heard and the rehearsal hall is a safe and after they’ve taken her course. space for all.

SPRING 2018 EQUITY QUARTERLY 5 COUNCIL REPORT – LOOKING BACK AND FORWARD RENEWAL AND GROWTH

6 EQUITY QUARTERLY SPRING 2018 COUNCIL REPORT – LOOKING BACK AND FORWARD

RENEWAL AND GROWTH BY SCOTT BELLIS One of the most pressing issues we have been addressing is the opportunity we have to help create change in the culture of our community surrounding issues of workplace harassment.

AS I WRITE THIS, much of • Affirmed use of non-gendered pronouns in all of our Council Canada is still finding its way out of winter, but here in Vancouver documents. cherry trees are in blossom, crows are nesting in the branches • New allowances for our Association to make social investments. above my apartment window, and spring is rising to meet us. • Equity’s newly drafted Equality Statement, affirming the dignity It is a time for forging ahead toward new growth. However, as of all individuals, will be read at all official Equity meetings and we leap forward, I’d also like to take a moment to look at what functions. You can read it here: http://bit.ly/2mBImDl. Council has been up to this past year. • Election reforms intended to increase diversity and inclusion Your Councillors have all been busy on a number of fronts in of underrepresented communities within Equity at the Council their work with our Association, and without a doubt one of the table. Having information from our recent census has given most pressing issues we have been addressing is the opportunity Council greater knowledge about the makeup of our member- we have to help create change in the culture of our community ship, and we believe the voices at the table should reflect those surrounding issues of workplace harassment. Equity’s Not in OUR demographics. Space! initiative, launched last September, has helped to give • The launch of Equity’s Dance Outreach program, providing rise to a greater awareness about issues of consent, respect and benefits of membership to more artists in the dance community. safety in our theatres and rehearsal halls, and we are hopeful for Additionally, at the start of this year, Council undertook to a future where collectively we strive to maintain safe environ- organize a nationwide slate of regional member meetings to ments for our work, and where members feel confident to speak give our fellow members direct access to their Councillors. Read out when lines are crossed. Our staff has received more calls for about them here: http://bit.ly/2jLr1rg. The contact and feedback information and advice on these issues in the past year than in from members who attended these meetings has been valuable the previous 10; it seems clear that change is in the air. Council to Council, and, I hope, satisfying to those who could attend. continues to receive input and feedback from members across Our national theatre community, so socially and geographically the country, and we will continue to work with staff to make diverse, can benefit from staying more closely connected, and I changes where necessary. hope to see these gatherings continue in future. Council has also taken up many other smaller interesting Looking forward, we have begun work on a number of valuable changes this year, some of which I’ll highlight here: initiatives that I have asked my fellow Councillors to sound in on.

PREVIOUS PAGE, TOP ROW: Kirsten Alter, Ontario; Deena Aziz, Quebec; Herbie Barnes, Ontario (resigned); Karen Bassett, Atlantic; SECOND ROW: Scott Bellis, Council President, B.C. and the Yukon; Liam Caines, Dance; Nicole Caron, Dance (resigned); Stephen Erickson, First Vice-President (resigned), Eastern Opera; Sedina Fiati, Second Vice-President, Ontario; THIRD ROW: Jaron Francis, Saskatchewan; Jane Heyman, B.C. and the Yukon; Aaron Hutton, Manitoba/Nunavut; Catriona Leger, Eastern Ontario and the Outaouais; Ian Leung, Alberta North/NWT; Minh Ly, Ontario; FOURTH ROW: Simon Mallett, Alberta South (resigned); Peter McGillivray, First Vice-President, Eastern Opera; Kate Sandeson, Stage Management; Genny Sermonia, Ontario; Diane Speirs, Secretary-Treasurer, Western Opera; Allan Teichman, Council President (resigned), Ontario; FIFTH ROW: Paul Welch, Alberta South; Zeph Williams, Ontario; Paula Wolfson, Ontario; Katey Wright, B.C. and the Yukon (resigned); Raugi Yu, B.C. and the Yukon

SPRING 2018 EQUITY QUARTERLY 7 Senior Artists Research Project Committee

This committee was created to see how issues specific to senior artists can be addressed. These issues include continued career with or without an Equity contract, dues remission, finance, health, housing, iso- lation, and communications. We are in the process of formulating a survey to see if the members who are either approaching senior status in their discipline or are in fact in this category (the age varies depending on discipline) can give us any input or feedback about Benefits, Fundraisers and their issues and what is possible to be done within Equity’s capacity. Awards Events Research Group

— Paula Wolfson, Ontario Councillor Made up of four Councillors, this committee has been looking at current guidelines around Equity members’ involvement in these Education and Renewal Committee one-off events. We want to see what is working and dig into issues that exist. Some of the questions we are considering: We’ve had a very busy term starting out with researching how • Is the Equity paperwork appropriate to the task? our sister organizations hold elections and encourage diversity • Are members being adequately compensated and protected? and inclusion. This resulted in proposals to Council and eventually • Should some events be considered differently than others? a blizzard of recently passed new bylaws for increasing member We plan to circulate an online survey to a selection of the membership engagement and representation. in the coming months, and the feedback collected will inform Additionally, we worked with staff to organize educational com- recommendations for improvements to the guidelines and process. ponents for every face-to-face Council meeting. For some of these we brought in expert facilitators. Douglas Stewart led two sessions — Diane Speirs, Secretary-Treasurer on harassment that guided Council in creating Not In OUR Space! Sara Neville led two sessions on diversity and inclusion, Intimacy Member Engagement & Education Committee Directors International shared their fascinating work, and we look forward to learning about Indigeneity. Staff also deepened our This committee has been finding its feet this term. We’ve been knowledge of Equity’s various agreements, finances, etc. working with Council to establish solid social media guidelines, As we enter the term’s final months we are busy creating a ensuring all Councillors have email addresses and discussing issues “Primer” to assist the next cohort of Councillors that gather in our regions. Establishing the Council Connect email newsletter around the table in November 2018, for their first meeting. At the was a highlight and an excellent way for Council to connect to same time we are collaborating with staff to plan what we hope members. This initiative was a direct result of committee brain- will be Equity’s most inclusive and exciting election. Each region storming. Upcoming, the committee will be very actively working will have a recruitment committee tasked with finding potential on creating a dynamic campaign for Equity elections and discussing candidates for Council and its committees, especially from previ- possible education material for deputies. We hope to leave a good ously under-represented groups. Let them know you’re interested! foundation for the next term of Council. — Jane Heyman, B.C. & Yukon Councillor — Sedina Fiati, Second Vice-President

Diversity Committee

This committee continues to raise awareness around issues affect- That session led to a moderated brainstorming of strategies to ing members identifying from underrepresented groups – both at advance opportunities for marginalized members. As a result, the Council, and in the industry at large. committee is developing a plan for a National Day of Inclusive The Census Final Report (http://bit.ly/2zWyTQC) has received Action – stay tuned for details. much attention from industry colleagues, and Arden R. Ryshpan We are especially excited that the education for our June meet- and Lynn McQueen just completed a very successful presentation ing will focus on Indigeneity, with time allocated to cultural com- to the Arts Policy Branch of Canadian Heritage. petency. We hope to learn how Equity can better serve the needs Collaborating with the Council Education and Renewal of Aboriginal members, and be a better ally to the Aboriginal arts Committee, external consultant Sara Neville led a primer on and artists practicing alongside our jurisdiction. Diversity and Inclusion, and a second workshop on Implicit Bias. — Deena Aziz, Quebec Councillor

8 EQUITY QUARTERLY SPRING 2018 Mental Health Research Sub-Committee

We have been taking steps to determine the needs, con- ing services when experiencing financial limitations cerns, challenges and impact of mental health on artists in and seeking sliding scale or no-cost services. our industry. Part of that research has identified troubling Once the survey data has been collected and ana- trends in our sister organizations, which have indicated lyzed, we intend to build an awareness package to that suicidal ideation among our demographic is twice distribute to engagers to help increase awareness of that of the national average. Additionally, in recent years mental health impacts and challenges in our field. This we have anecdotally observed an increase in anxiety package will hopefully provide engagers with guidance among our membership as well as increasing mental on how to support artists who come forward and to health barriers and concerns from students and the next refer them to appropriate services in their region. generation of artists coming into our association. The survey will hopefully provide a very clear “next As a result, it is our intent to put forward a national step” for our committee and test the membership’s survey to thoroughly explore the needs of our mem- appetite for including mental health services in Equity’s bership as well as determine if there is a desire to medical insurance benefits. access mental health services. We also intend to create We look forward to getting a survey out to mem- and maintain a national database of accessible mental bership in the next few months. health services, including a demystification of access- — Paul Welch, Alberta South Councillor

Update from Safe & Respectful Workspace Task Force

We have been working with staff on the development Members feel empowered and important discussions of the Not in OUR Space! campaign. In the latter part of are taking place on the first day of rehearsals as a result the term, our attention turned toward information shar- of the joint statement being read by both engager ing at regional member meetings and industry confer- and Equity representatives. We have also heard about ences. Over the last several months members meetings some challenges – a few emails to RWAs were not have taken place in the following cities: Charlottetown, answered, the complaint form feels daunting at first Edmonton, Halifax, Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto, glance, and there was a suggestion that we review our Winnipeg and Vancouver. materials to ensure we’re presenting our information in In addition to these member gatherings, Equity staff a way that can easily be understood by someone who have presented the work of the Task Force at the fol- has been traumatized. A working group from Council lowing industry events: Canadian Event Safety Summit, is reviewing these recommendations. Actsafe Event Safety Conference, and the Stage The second phase of the campaign involves out- Managing the Arts (S.M.Arts) Conference. Over 300 reach to post-secondary training institutions through- posters have been distributed to spaces across Canada. out the country. We have been contacting schools Respectful Workspace Advisors (RWA) continue to where Task Force members have a personal connec- provide front-line support for members experiencing tion and can direct us to decision-makers. Equity staff harassment. Staff is presently compiling a list of repu- will use the information to develop materials for use table local resources to supply to Equity members. This within those institutions. To date we have spoken with will be vetted in advance by a consultant, to assess over 25 schools. Equity hopes to make a presentation the relevancy of the information and reliability of the at the annual B.C. Articulation Meeting attended by sources. heads of all post-secondary theatre programs in that We are also disseminating information through a province, and has spoken at the annual meeting of the Facebook page titled Equity’s Safe Space. Members are Ontario Council of College and University Theatre pro- encouraged to “like” the page and post comments. It grams. Some training programs have already posted provides a common space for information-sharing about Equity’s materials. The Task Force’s goal is to have harassment in the live performance sector. made connections with all professional training insti- Most of the feedback we have received about tutions across the country before the fall term starts up the Not In OUR Space! initiative has been positive. in September 2018.

SPRING 2018 EQUITY QUARTERLY 9 COUNCIL REPORT – LOOKING BACK AND FORWARD

This past year also saw a changing of the guard in the Council In closing I would like to express how much of an honour it President’s seat. In November, our long-time Council President, has been to serve this term on Council with 21 other dedicated Allan Teichman, stepped down after 11 years of serving Equity members, people like you, who devote their time to the better- in that role. This orchestrated move allowed the newly appointed ment of our Association. As we move through spring, I wish you President (yours truly) to have Allan’s experience and guidance all the very best for the bounty of summer. EQ at the Council table while the current term is still in session. In my first few months as Council President, his knowledge and perspective has been valuable, and he is to be thanked for his ELECTIONS ARE COMING dedicated service and applied wisdom at the Council table these UP! THIS IS YOUR CHANCE many years. TO GET INVOLVED IN YOUR In Allan’s words: “The work of Council involves two comple- mentary, and sometimes contradictory, tasks: keeping Equity ASSOCIATION AND SUPPORT on course, while simultaneously adjusting that course with an THE WORK OF ARTISTS! eye to the future. It was my pleasure and privilege to have been so closely involved in that work for 11 years. However, no one I believe in doing “service”; giving back what should ever think that the Council President does it on their own. one can, donating one’s skills and time to what- Any successes in that time must also acknowledge 70-plus fellow ever organization has meaning and import to a Councillors, similarly passionate about their professional associa- person’s career or life. tion, and equally determined to help Equity help its members better. Here’s to all who serve our members so well, yesterday, today Please consider running for Council yourself. and tomorrow.” Our Association is as strong as we make it, as Thanks again to Allan. we support our Members’ wants and needs. We also had the pleasure of welcoming some newly appointed Know that it requires a commitment of time, Councillors this past year: Raugi Yu (BC/Yukon), Paul Welch thought, homework, patience, empathy and (Alberta South), Genny Sermonia (Ontario), and most recently, open-mindedness. Liam Caines (Dance). It has been a fruitful and invigorating year of work. We’re not — Paula Wolfson, Ontario Councillor done yet! However, the time for this incarnation of Council is almost up. As this Council moves toward the end of its three-year term this October, another one will rise to take its place. Elections Being on Council has been an important and are coming up! This is your opportunity to get involved in the special responsibility. It’s been a place of reflec- Association we all support, and which supports all of us in our tion, an exercise in patience, and lessons in work as artists. Come and take a role in guiding us into the future. long-term planning and big picture thinking. You can learn more about Equity’s governance and what we do For those who are “joiners” or for those who by looking here: http://bit.ly/2rCagCA. want to serve the membership or be a part of Serving on Council is a challenging and rewarding form of ser- making important changes, there is a seat at vice to your community and I can say with confidence that it has the table for you. We need those who are will- enriched my life as an artist and as a community member. It is by turns a fascinating, satisfying, perplexing and occasionally head- ing to learn and share knowledge, those who spinning activity, but it is always engaging. Equity is a member-led are willing to “be the change.” organization, and it needs your voice to make it go. Stay tuned — Sedina Fiati, Second Vice-President for more information about our upcoming elections and the role of a National Councillor in coming months. If you have questions about elections, Council, or anything else TO LEARN MORE ABOUT RUNNING FOR Equity is up to, please drop me a line at [email protected]. I’m ELECTION, PLEASE SEE THE NEXT PAGE. always glad to hear from fellow members.

10 EQUITY QUARTERLY SPRING 2018 TIMELINE WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE May IN YOUR ASSOCIATION? • Recruitment Committees established June 28 • Nominations open GET INVOLVED August and September • Candidate statements posted WITH THE CANDIDATE RECRUITMENT online (as received) COMMITTEE IN YOUR REGION Candidate search committees, coordinated by the Councillor in your geographic September or discipline region, will seek out motivated great candidates in your region. Get • All-candidates’ outreach to regional membership in touch with your Councillor – Get involved! September 6 RUN • Nominations close TO LEAD AND SUPPORT YOUR COLLEAGUES September 13 Have what it takes to be a leader? Equity membership needs your voice • Last day for candidates’ statements to be received at the Council table. Offer your strategic leadership skills in creating policies and standards to effectively support members’ working lives and careers. September 21 • Last day for members to update VOTE electoral regions October 1 FOR PEERS WHO REFLECT YOUR VALUES • Election ballots mailed to AND PRIORITIES membership This is your opportunity to elect a diverse, representative Council. In October October 9 2018 cast your vote! • Voting by telephone and Internet begins Equity is dedicated to the election of a Council representative of all Promoting demographics, those who self-identify on the basis of ability, age, October 24 inclusivity ancestry, belief, ethnicity, gender, health or sexual orientation. • Last day to come into good standing Council particularly encourages Indigenous peoples (First Nations, and be eligible to vote Inuit, Metis) Persons of colour, and D/deaf and/or persons with a October 31 disability(ies), to seek nomination for election. • Last day to vote and election results announced • Candidates’ may submit a video statement to be posted online November 25, 26 and 27 For the • Virtual all-candidates meetings are now an option as well as • First meeting of new Council first time in-person gatherings • Election of Council President and • New online nomination forms officers

* For further information on all the bylaws pertaining to Council nomination and election process, please consult Equity’s Constitution and Bylaws available at www.caea.com.

SPRING 2018 EQUITY QUARTERLY 11 CREATING A SAFE PLACE FOR DANGEROUS WORK Intimacy Directing for the stage

Mac Fyfe as Dionysos and Gordon S. Miller as Pentheus in one of the scenes Tonia Sina intimacy-directed for the Bakkhai at Stratford Festival BY BARB FARWELL

LONG BEFORE THE #MeToo campaign and the recent headlines of sexual harassment in the workplace – Tonia Sina knew actors were at risk when performing scenes of intimacy on stage. “I had been in dangerous situations in scenes that were not properly managed or directed,” says Sina. “As actors we touch each other as part of our job – but that can go awry. It can also be traumatizing.” While fight scenes are carefully choreographed so everyone knows exactly what will happen, scenes involving kissing and sex have not been given the same step-by-step attention to detail. Unfortunately, when actions have not been discussed or agreed upon, boundaries can get blurred and changes can be made without the other person’s permission – leading to instances of sexual harassment. A fight director as well as an actor, Sina began adaptingBY LINE the exercises and processes she used for safe combat to choreograph intimate scenes on stage. As a result, for the last 15 years, intimacy on stage has become Sina’s specialty. She worked in academia as a Movement Professor, and researched intimacy on the stage for her Master’s thesis in 2006, eventually developing a process for choreographing intimate scenes – called the Intimacy for the Stage Method. “It took a long time to create this technique,” says Sina. “There is a proper protocol in fight scenes to keep everyone physically safe. I saw the need for a similar protocol in scenes of intimacy. Actors are not supposed to be doing the choreography for these scenes. They are supposed to be performing.” In 2016, Sina launched Intimacy Directors International (IDI) with cofounders Alicia Rodis and Siobhan Richardson. The man- date of this not-for-profit organization is to bring together artists who agree on a set of core principals when dealing with scenes of intimacy. IDI also advocates for safe workplaces for actors, advises on ways to prevent sexual harassment, and provides workshops and training on intimacy directing. IDI does not claim to be the first group to choreograph scenes of intimacy. Movement coaches, dance choreographers and fight

12 EQUITY QUARTERLY SPRING 2018 PILLARS OF SAFE INTIMACY

1 CONTEXT Everyone must understand the story and Intimacy Directing for the stage how the intimacy scene meets the needs of the story. This makes it clear to everyone what the scene is trying to achieve. It also de-mystifies the scene. It is a specific, artistic choice to propel the action forward. directors have been doing this work for decades. IDI is among the first to declare it as a primary specialty, however, and has created awareness of the growing need of trained, knowledgeable 2 COMMUNICATION intimacy directors to keep actors safe and help prevent sexual There needs to be continuous discussion harassment on the stage. between the director, intimacy director, stage “This is not a fad,” says Sina. “We want to get the industry manager and actors so everyone understands involved in the prevention of harassment and abuse in our com- the scene and how it is being choreographed. munity and our rehearsal spaces.” The actors need to know exactly what is While each intimacy director may have their own techniques expected of them, and feel free to lay down for staging and rehearsing intimacy scenes – there are five basic boundaries of where they don’t want to be “pillars” that help ensure the physical and psychological safety of touched or actions they don’t want to do. all the people involved, says Sina. Last year, director Jillian Keiley asked Sina to choreograph the 3 CONSENT scenes of intimacy in Stratford Festival’s production of Bakkhai. The actors need to consent to every action in “It was the first time Stratford had ever hired an intimacy direc- the scene. They should also continually check- tor, and it was a fantastic collaboration. As talented and expe- in with their scene partner to make sure they rienced as a director Jillian is, she claimed she was relieved to still feel comfortable with the action. Also, that have these scenes choreographed with a protocol that allowed consent is only given for that particular scene. the process to move more safely and swiftly,” says Sina. It doesn’t apply to any other scenes, and it “The production contained many scenes with sexual moments, doesn’t apply backstage or outside the theatre. including a female group ritual sex scene and a male actor por- traying a female orgasm. The director, assistant director and stage manager – and occasionally the technical production team 4 CHOREOGRAPHY as well – attended each rehearsal to make sure the story of the There is a set choreography for the scene, just as intimacy blended with their visions of the show. It was a purposely there is for a dance or a fight, and that choreog- mostly all-female production team, and the level of care, empa- raphy must stay the same for the entire produc- thy, and collaboration was truly inspiring for myself and Siobhan tion run. Changes cannot be made without the [Richardson], who assisted me.” approval of the intimacy director. Not only does Sina says the Stratford experience also taught her a lot, espe- this help prevent sexual harassment, it makes cially about the minimum working conditions required for an inti- the story stronger because each action has been macy director, the amount of time required for each scene, and thought out in a safe and thoughtful way. how involved an intimacy director needs to be with a show that has as much sexual content as this one did. CLOSURE Although Sina is based in the U.S., she spends a lot of her 5 Finally, the actors need to separate their lives time travelling across the U.S., Canada and internationally to give from the sex lives of their characters. At the workshops, and holds mentoring classes online for intimacy direc- end of every rehearsal and show, it’s a good tor candidates from around the world. idea for actors to have a closing moment Inclusivity and consent in Canada to signify the end of their show life and the return to their real life. “I actually have worked and taught in Canada just as much, if not more, than I have in the States,” says Sina. “Canada has

SPRING 2018 EQUITY QUARTERLY 13 CREATING A SAFE PLACE FOR DANGEROUS WORK been amazingly welcoming to the concept of actor to make actions that are not navigable Tonia Sina equality, inclusivity, and consent in the arts, to them,” says Richardson. and I find that truly inspiring.” When working on a new production, In Canada, IDI cofounder Siobhan Richardson starts off with a workshop to Richardson also criss-crosses the country explain the process and the guiding prin- giving workshops. Richardson, who lives in ciples of intimacy directing. She then takes Toronto, started her career as an actor, chore- the actors through exercises to create con- ographer and fight director. “Intimacy direct- nections. They practice asking for consent – ing just seemed to support my artist work, as well as giving and refusing consent – for and grow naturally out of my existing skill actions such as stroking their scene partner’s set,” she says. chin. “It gives people a process to say no,” Intimacy directing is about protecting an she explains. actor’s mental health as well as their physi- “You can never assume consent,” says cal health, she says. “The director directs the Richardson. “The script may say you roll whole story, but I zoom in on the choreogra- around naked on the floor kissing, but you phy of a particular scene to make sure people feel comfortable and to find alternatives if haven’t consented to the manner in which needed.” you are going to do that. Even if you have read the script and For example, if an actor finds it uncomfortable to have their signed the contract.” chin stroked, Richardson would see if an alternate action could be In addition, if you consented to letting your scene partner used to tell the same story – like touching the actor’s shoulder. “I stroke your chin in Scene 2 – that consent doesn’t extend to strok- need to find what the actor can do repeatedly and sustainably.” ing your chin in Scene 5. The tools the actor uses to perform the In ballet you would not ask a dancer to do a complicated triple first scene are not the same they are prepared to use for the other jump and the splits if they were not able to. “Do not ask the scene, says Richardson.

Do I need an Is there a specialized I’ve got this! movement you do not Absolutely! Intimacy Director? know how to approach Are there I can say with confidence or choreograph? any power dynamics that there are not. (i.e. strip tease, or preexisting Enthusiastically, yes! lap dance, group relationships within Do you sex, etc.) the company that understand how Do you Check the certificate! may necessitate the consent works have an use of an outside in the rehearsal understanding of I thought we’d eye? Enjoy the Do you just figure it out... Do you feel room? Mental Health know how to Has your process! comfortable First Aid? navigate actors theatre had staging in physically We do! a history intimacy? and emotionally of harassment, No When in doubt... uncomfortable No Sure have! That’s great! abuse, or general moments? intolerance? Yes So, is there Do you No any nudity or Hire an simulated sex Yes have effective I’m half in your protocols that don’t way through the Intimacy Not as well violate your union No Unfortunately, Great! Not now production? yes process and I’m Director! Have you as I would like standards, federal, having second Not at all! No staged intimacy provincial, or local thoughts. Is it too before? laws? late to hire an ID?

14 EQUITY QUARTERLY SPRING 2018 CREATING A SAFE PLACE FOR DANGEROUS WORK

has been carefully thought out and choreo- Clarity leads to both a better show Siobhan Richardson and a respectful workplace graphed to reveal something about the char- To make sure everyone is clear about what acters – just like every other part of the show. the scene is trying to achieve, Richardson Richardson also emphasizes the impor- does table work with the actors to discuss the tance of an intimacy call. Like a fight call – it context of the scene and what it means to the is a chance to review the specific movements development of the characters and the story. before the show and rehearse the choreogra- “Instead of this being a secret thing – like phy of the scene. two people making out – we are crafting the Closure is also critical. “You need to sepa- audience’s experience so they come away hav- rate your stage life from your real life. You ing experienced a specific story,” she explains. need a process to separate your real life expe- The language used during rehearsals is also riences from your character’s experiences. critical. Even referring to a scene as the “orgy You have to leave your onstage emotions on scene” can make the scene stressful for the the stage,” says Richardson. “It allows the actors. It’s better to refer to it as the “garden actors to dive into the work more clearly.” scene” or “Scene 5,” she says. This brings up the subject of “show- To choreograph the scene, Richardson mances.” Of course it is not wrong to fall creates a framework that the actors can rehearse and can be in love with someone you work with, explains Richardson. This adjusted. Then, once the choreography has been set, it cannot happens in any line of work. “But if you fall in love with your be changed, unless approved by Richardson. romantic scene partner in every show it’s going to affect your Some people might think creating a specific choreography for personal life,” she says. an intimate scene removes the spontaneity. Richardson points While the idea of intimacy directing is steadily growing and out that the text of the play seems spontaneous even though the more productions are engaging intimacy directors, the more actors don’t change the words with every performance. The scene actors know about the importance of choreographing intimate

SPRING 2018 EQUITY QUARTERLY 15 CREATING A SAFE PLACE FOR DANGEROUS WORK

Bunny was an excellent example of how choreographing scenes of intimacy allows us to make bold, vulnerable and intimate choices... – Siobhan Richardson scenes, and knowing clearly what is expected of them, the safer they will be on the stage. To learn more about If you are not comfortable with the way a scene is being staged, intimacy directing, visit but force yourself to do it anyway – it can take a toll on you emo- www.intimacydirectors tionally and take away from your performance, says Richardson. That’s why it’s important for directors to tell actors very specifi- international.com. cally what they are looking for in intimate scenes. “When you audition, ask how the director is going to do a scene. And ask if This summer, IDI expects to have more trained, they have an intimacy specialist. That way you will not be sur- qualified international intimacy directors on its prised,” says Richardson. roster after its nine-day August International “Creating a safe place for dangerous work is our goal. It would Intimacy Intensive at the University of Illinois. be ideal if everyone had the tools to handle and navigate intimate Siobhan Richardson is also forming a nationwide scenes.” EQ network and resource for Canadian intimacy directors at Intimacy Directors: Canadian Intimacy for Stage and Screen (www.ciss.online). If you already work in this vein and would like to find out more, please contact Richardson and her team at ID@ CISS.online. They are currently planning a training workshop in Windsor, Ontario, in August, 2018, with more to come across Canada over the next year. You can also sign up for their newsletter.

Maev Beaty and Jesse LaVercombe in Tarragon Theatre’s 2018 production of Bunny, which Richardson worked on as an intimacy coach. “People can find intimacy and sex so difficult to watch on stage because it feels so awkward and leaves the audience feeling uncomfortable, whereas the intimacy in Bunny was engaging, added to the show, and was character-specific, and therefore, easy to watch.”

16 EQUITY QUARTERLY SPRING 2018 TELL A DANCER... danceequity.com/join WE MOVE FAIR WE MOVE SAFE MOVE WITH US dancers join for $10 *until aug. 2018 MOBILIZE FAIR & SAFE SPACE * NEW ACCESS TO EQUITY * MOVING TOGETHER FOR CHANGE OPEN POLICY DANCE VOICES SNAPSHOT VIDEO SERIES +Short duration performance contracts ($150+) +Dancers share their professional dance stories +New competition contracts danceequity.com/dancevoices +New judging contracts JOINING EQUITY +Reduced initiation fee $10 *until end of aug. 2018 +Easy to use online membership application danceequity.com/join D•O•T•, ARTIST COLLECTIVE & FESTIVAL POLICIES +Protections available to independent dancers DANCE COMMUNITY OUTREACH +On The Move Convention – presented by Dancer Transition Resource Centre +Open Art Surgery, Breakin Convention – in rehearsal artist rights discussion +Various presentation, workshop & competition visits EVENT PARTNERSHIPS & SELF-ENGAGING +Your online policy resource and how to guide for self-engaging danceequity.com/policy EVENT LISTINGS PARTNERSHIP WITH DANCE CURRENT +A new shared national listing highlighting dance performances, connecting artists, audiences & members danceequity.com/listings

SPRING 2018 EQUITY QUARTERLY 17 In Memoriam

SAD NEWS It was with profound sadness that Equity had to announce the passing of Keith IN MEMORIAM Davidson, Director of Business Rep Services on February 16, 2018, following a short – 2017 – illness. Keith joined Equity’s staff in 1989, working in both offices in a number of roles during his 29 years of service. His work in the Business Rep department on behalf of Matthew Amyotte the Equity membership is immeasurable. He was a respected colleague on both sides Malcolm Black, Life Member of the negotiations table throughout his career with Equity. Keith was also a serious artist; a painter in many mediums and more recently as a Alan Bleviss candid photographer. He leaves behind his long-time partner Dennis Duncan. Joy Coghill, Life Member “Keith Davidson’s death came as a huge blow to the staff at Equity. He was a vibrant Gregory Cross presence both in the office and on the phone to the many engagers he worked with over the years,” said Arden R. Ryshpan. “Keith, Senior Business Rep Ruth Leggett and Len Crowther I have probably spent more hours on the road together than anyone else I have ever John Francis Dunsworth worked with and we could not have endured the many, many hours in negotiations Cathy Elliott (and airports!) if we didn’t get along well. We will all miss Keith’s energy, commitment David Fujino and we promise to continue the quest for the ideal cinnamon bun in his honour.” Henry Gauthier Dennis Duncan and Keith Davidson Calvin Green Dwight Griffin Richard Howard David E. Kemp Orest Kinasewich Susan Lehmann Jonah McIntosh Richard McMillan George Merner Cheryl Millikin Mary Monks Sean Mulcahy Roger Peace Kurt Reis FONDLY REMEMBERED IS NOW ONLINE Bob Robertson Tony Rosato All Fondly Remembered tributes are now published online instead of in EQ Magazine. Lawrence Seligman To submit a tribute, click on “Memorial Submissions” on the www.caea.com Vincent Warren home page. You will be asked to log in with your Member Number and Sandy Webster Password. Tributes should be 250 words or less and please submit a photo- graph if possible. Kenneth Wickes To view tributes, click on “View Memorials” on the home page. David Zurak

18 EQUITY QUARTERLY SPRING 2018 EQ News

CONGRATULATIONS 2018-2018 CANADIAN THEATRE Equity wishes Douglas G. Irons much happiness in his retirement AGREEMENT effective February 2, 2018. Doug served the Association and its Equity and the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres members for nearly 30 years as Equity’s Financial Controller. In (PACT) worked jointly over many days to negotiate fair changes addition to his steady financial leadership, members have Doug to the 2018-2021 CTA. However, the PACT membership failed to to thank for weekly insurance premiums, surviving the insurance ratify the proposed changes. plan crisis, ensuring a healthy stabilization fund, and the educa- Equity and PACT have subsequently negotiated to roll the tion of the Canadian Revenue Agency on legitimate arts worker current CTA over for one year, with a 2.75% financial increase deductions. Arden R. Ryshpan adds, “Doug Irons was the first to all minimum fees and monetary amounts as well as signifi- staff person I met at Equity and I was instantly relieved to dis- cant increases to minimum fees at the lowest levels in order to cover that my right-hand person would be smart, experienced conform to increased minimum wage rates across Canada. and a genuinely decent human being. I’m not the only one who Here is the ratification schedule for these proposed changes: felt that way about Doug and his fundamental decency has been May 30 a hallmark of the many years he spent at Equity.” Everyone at Ballots mailed Equity wishes Doug and his partner Sara many happy years of June 4 Voting opens gardening, travelling and seeing theatre and art. June 14 Last day to come into good standing June 21 Voting ends June 22 Results announced WELCOME Please contact Executive Director Arden R. Ryshpan by email Marion (Maz) Magoris, CPA, CMA, joined Equity’s management ([email protected]) or by telephone (1-800-387-1856; team as Director of Finance & Administration on February 12, 416-867-9165 in Toronto) with any questions or comments. 2018. Maz came to Equity from Greenpeace Canada, where she served as Finance and Operations Director for four and a half years. In addition to extensive financial management experience, Maz has considerable experience in human resources, general operations, IT, facilities management and administration. Maz originally trained as a stage manager in London, IMPORTANT NOTICE U.K., at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. She is already a valued member of the Equity team. RATIFICATION OF AGREEMENTS 2018-2021 INDEPENDENT Since 2012, Equity has conducted the ratification of our dance, opera and scale agreements by telephone and Internet voting. THEATRE AGREEMENT Starting in 2019, we will begin sending voting information, a Pending a successful ratification of the CTA, new material unique PIN and the corresponding ratification package by email and fee changes to the Independent Theatre Agreement ONLY to all eligible Equity member (ITA) will come into effect June 25, 2018. only be mailed to Equity members withoutvoters. Hard email copy addresses and ballots will Contact an Equity Business Rep ([email protected]) if upon request. Contact Equity at 1-800-387-1856 (416-867-9165 you have questions. in Toronto) or at [email protected] for more information.

Did you know that you can now access your Equity tax receipts for working dues and insurance premiums online instantly? Visit caea.com and look for the ‘big green button’.

SPRING 2018 EQUITY QUARTERLY 19 New Federal Anti-Harassment Initiatives

Over $500,000 for Respectful Workplaces in the Arts The Department of Canadian Heritage will provide funding in the amount of $252,000, and the Canada Council for the Arts will be contributing $300,000, over two years, dedicated to preventing harassment in the arts. The Cultural Human Resources Council (CHRC), which supports work- ers and employers to build better workplace environments Campaign Update within the cultural sector will coordinate the Respectful Workplaces in the Arts initiative reaching across live performance, visual arts and crafts and literary arts. Not In OUR Space! by the numbers The funding will be used to support a series of initiatives to equip the cultural sector with the tools, practices Joint Statement packages have so far been sent out to: and training for building and maintaining respectful workplaces. Plans include holding consultations with equity- seeking communities across the country, developing train- 143 117 ing and information webinars, delivering discipline-specific Professional Associations Non-PACT Member workshops, compiling best practices on Board policies and of 143 Canadian Theatres Productions (D•O•T, processes and codes of conduct, conducting research on (PACT) members INDIE 2.2, Collective, etc.) reporting mechanisms, and a broad communications campaign targeted at Canadian audiences and arts supporters. “Industry leaders and organizations took swift action to discuss how all cultural sectors can work together to provide harassment-free, respectful work environments. 6 5 I am proud to support this initiative, which will benefit Opera engagers Ballet engagers over 1,750 arts organizations across Canada,” said the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage. “We can accomplish a lot to prevent harassment, abuse Equity’s Safe Space – A Social Media Solution and discrimination of any kind in the cultural sector. for Discussing Safe and Respectful Workspaces Integrating these changes is definitely a step in the right direction.” www.culturalhrc.ca Equity’s Safe Space is a creative commons for sharing news, information and ideas about building and main- Workplace Integrity in Recipient Organizations taining safe and respectful workspaces in Canadian Canadian Heritage announced the completion of a review professional theatre, opera and dance. Just look for the EQ icon of funding instruments to ensure that recipients commit on Equity’s main Facebook group page. to providing safe and respectful workplaces free from any The page is largely focused on Equity’s Not in OUR Space! form of harassment, abuse and discrimination. Changes will initiative, but welcomes industry-wide constructive discussion on be made to the funding agreements, the application forms, how we can all make our workspaces the supportive and creative the approval letter and the application guidelines to remind ones that live performance artists deserve to have. recipients of their commitment to workplace integrity. We support vigorous and constructive discussion and analysis The Canada Council for the Arts has announced that in this forum. when accepting grants, recipients must commit to foster- The page does not replace the wide range of support that ing a workplace free from discrimination, harassment and Equity has already been providing as part of its anti-harassment sexual misconduct. Failure to respect this commitment campaign. If you need a safer space to chat you can always email could result in the Council initiating a process to review and us at: [email protected]. potentially reverse a grant decision where there are serious Respectful Workspace Advisors (RWAs) are trained Equity staff concerns about the recipient, the funded activities, or the people who can answer a wide range of questions related to harass- soundness of the Council’s investment of public funds. ment in the workspace. They can be reached at: 1-800-387-1856.

20 EQUITY QUARTERLY SPRING 2018 Freewill Shakespeare Festival EQ Flashback celebrates 30 years

The Freewill Shakespeare Festival’s 2017 production of Merry Wives of Windsor

Thirty years ago, a group of BFA acting grads from the University company has an equal ratio of men to women this season,” says of Alberta decided that Edmonton was in need of an outdoor Copithorne. Shakespeare Festival, so they headed down to the Hawrelak Park In addition, before every performance at the Freewill Amphitheatre to make it happen. It was a pass-the-hat affair and Shakespeare Festival, the following statement will be read: they had a budget of about a thousand dollars. The Freewill Shakespeare Festival is honoured to acknowledge Today the Freewill Shakespeare Festival hires over 50 artists and that the Hawrelak Park Heritage Amphitheatre where we per- staff members every summer, and is a fully professional not-for- form is on Treaty 6 territory. We offer our friendship and respect profit theatre company operating on a budget of just over a half to the Cree, Nakota, Blackfoot, Dene, Saulteaux, and Metis who a million dollars. Since 1989 over a quarter of a million audience made this land their home for thousands of years before our members have attended their plays. city was built, and to all indigenous people who continue to To celebrate its 30th anniversary, Freewill Shakespeare Festival live in Edmonton today. The summer breeze passing through is presenting a gender-bending production of The Comedy of Errors. Directed by Dave Horak, it features Belinda Cornish as our Amphitheatre invokes the spirit of Tatawaw, which means: Antipholus of Syracus and Kristi Hansen as Ephesus – both in “welcome, there is room.” Through making the stories we tell male drag. Hamlet is the other production scheduled for this accessible to all communities who share our creative space, we special anniversary year, directed by artistic director Marianne recognize that we are all Treaty people and seek to uphold the Copithorne, with Hunter Cardinal in the title role, and Nadien spirit and intent of peace, openness and understanding founda- Chu as Gertrude. “We are also pleased to announce our acting tional to Treaty 6.

SPRING 2018 EQUITY QUARTERLY 21 EQUITY QUARTERLY

Five questions. Two minutes. EVERYBODYCOUNTS DIVERSITY BY THE NUMBERS EQ ABILITY | AGE | CULTURE & ETHNICITY | GENDER IDENTITY | SEXUAL ORIENTATION Want to receive an electronic version of EQ? EVERYBODYCOUNTS is a brief five-question survey collecting demographic markers so that Equity can measure the ongoing impact of member diversity on Equity offers electronic access to EQ . engagement patterns and income earned. No need to answer the questions if If you would rather read an online version you completed the Equity Census unless you want to update this information. of EQ – login to the Member Only zone All responses are anonymous. on EQUITYONLINE (www.caea.com) and Your permission to collect and store basic demographic information will update your EQ delivery options. strengthen this research and allow Equity to measure the impact of member diversity on engagement patterns and lobby more effectively, for all members. Visit www.caea.com to be part of this important research. DUES REMISSION ADVISORY REQUESTS FOR COUNCIL ACTION In recognition of career longevity, senior Equity Councillors and Equity members in good standing may submit members are eligible for remission of basic topics to Council for discussion by using the Request for Council dues but will continue to pay working dues. Action (RCA) form. If you have a topic or issue that you think EQUITYONLINE Regular members who have been members in good should be addressed by Council, then log in to and standing for at least 10 (ten) years may apply for submit an RCA form (look under Council Links on www.caea.com). dues remission as follows: • age 65 (sixty-five) for performers, stage managers, directors and choreographers PAY YOUR DUES Basic Dues are processed on May 1 • age 55 (fifty-five) for opera singers and November 1 each year. The Online Dues Payment feature allows • age 45 (forty-five) for ballet dancers ONLINE members to log in t o EQUITYONLINE Contact [email protected] for more and securely pay dues by credit card in a few simple clicks. information.

Publications Mail Agreement #40038615 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: EQ Canadian Actors’ Equity Association 44 Victoria Street, 12th Floor Toronto, ON M5C 3C4 [email protected]