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Bliss Griffin, Nat'l Diversity & Inclusion Strategist

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Bliss Griffin, Nat'l Diversity & Inclusion Strategist

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diversity@actorsequity.org

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Can the TCG Salary Survey begin to track racial demographics too?

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Can the TCG Salary Survey begin to track racial demographics too?

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AEA contracts used to be publicly available on the website, but were made private some years ago. In the interest of transparency, has there been any conversation about once again making those public? They were a great educational resource for producers and potential members.

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AEA contracts used to be publicly available on the website, but were made private some years ago. In the interest of transparency, has there been any conversation about once again making those public? They were a great educational resource for producers and potential members.

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- A rider to either require a certain level of diversity in a team, or to require that people doing similar work earn a similar amount to ensure income equity.
- Examples will be made available on the Equity D&I website

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We at the Equity-League Benefit Funds are very dedicated to maintaining your privacy, and a number of the laws the Funds are governed by require that we protect your privacy in very specific ways. For instance, according to the HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), the Fund may not transmit or access PHI (Protected Health Information) insecurely. Due to Federal Privacy Regulations, we cannot respond to a request via email if it contains members' PHI. An example of PHI would be, "I will have the required number of weeks by the last week of July. What Benefit Period will I be able to use my health insurance?" When you have questions such as this one, you should either log-on to our Self-Service portal to see your eligibility status, or call or visit the Fund Office directly, so that we can provide you this information. If you have a general question that does not involve personal PHI, and pertains to the overall requirements under the health plan, such as "Is there a deductible that must be satisfied for the prescription drug plan?", we can answer those via email.

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We at the Equity-League Benefit Funds are very dedicated to maintaining your privacy, and a number of the laws the Funds are governed by require that we protect your privacy in very specific ways. For instance, according to the HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), the Fund may not transmit or access PHI (Protected Health Information) insecurely.

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Events. Information on inclusion riders. New policy regarding Diversity & Inclusion.

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One day, every American theatre will be a safe, equitable, and inclusive workplace filled with arts practitioners who represent and reflect the wonderful diversity of the human tapestry, promoting the union values.

MISSION STATEMENT

The Diversity and Inclusion department is dedicated to promoting Actor's Equity's values of equal opportunity, diversity, and inclusion by leading the industry in creating cultures that promote diversity, celebrate inclusion, and foster a deep sense of belonging in Equity members, audiences, and all people who engage with the American theatre. In short, we're here to #ChangeTheStage. We do that with four primary activities:

offering educational programming and talk space for members so they understand their rights regarding equal access to employment and a safe and inclusive workplace

advising council and staff on inclusion-related policy and practice

developing best practices that drive the equitable and fair representation in all theatre roles

collaborating with our colleagues across the industry to ensure that inclusion is a central tenet in all conversation about the American theatre

DIVERSITY STUDY

In November of 2020, Equity released the union's second-ever diversity and inclusion report, tracking the demographics of how its members are hired for acting and stage management work, and how much they were paid from the years 2016-2019. You can learn more about the report here.

This follows our first diversity study, released in June of 2017, which demonstrated hiring biases in the theatre industry. You can read about the key findings of that first report and view datasets here. You can also read more in the Spring 2017 issue of Equity News: Looking at Hiring Bias by the Numbers.

BLOG

Have you missed a recent diversity and inclusion event or Equal Employment Opportunity award presentation? Are you looking for food for thought regarding creating a more inclusive theater? You can find updates about all our programming on the D&I Blog.

CONTACT

For more information about Diversity & Inclusion at Actors' Equity, please contact Diversity & Inclusion Strategist Bliss Griffin at diversity@actorsequity.org.

Members may want to:

Learn more about the Equal Employment Opportunity Committee

Ask questions about or make recommendations for future events

Request accessibility accommodations for Equity events

Raise a concern about discrimination, harassment, or disparate treatment on and Equity job

Equity employers may seek:

Best practices for inclusion in any aspect of theatre

A sounding board for handing programming that addresses inclusion or systemic marginalization

Resources for deepening and clarifying your organization's inclusion conversation

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Diversity & Inclusion | Actors' Equity Association

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One day, every American theatre will be a safe, equitable, and inclusive workplace filled with arts practitioners who represent and reflect the wonderful diversity of the human tapestry, promoting the union values.

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Are there any discussions about a complete revision of AE health insurance?  It doesn't work for most AE members.

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Are there any discussions about a complete revision of AE health insurance?  It doesn't work for most AE members.

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June 30th is the projected date to reevaluate these protocols.

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Here you will find safe and sanitary procedures that have been developed over months of collaboration with producers and work with Dr. David Michaels, former head of OSHA during the Obama Administration and member of President Biden's Transition COVID-19 Advisory Board, on establishing safe and sanitary procedures for theatrical work during COVID-19. The foundation of this work is based on the four core principles Dr. Michaels identified as necessary to support safe and healthy theatre productions. You can learn more about these principles in the memorandum Dr. Michaels sent to Equity on May 15, 2020.

The guidance to the left contains guidelines and the intake form for vaccinated workforces, intake worksheets for non-fully vaccinated productions during the pandemic, requirements for in-person callbacks and more.
Please submit the appropriate safety evaluation worksheet as soon as possible, but no less than three weeks prior to the first proposed day of work.
During the pandemic, Equity has implemented special remote work agreements and archive use agreements to exhibit work online. The union welcomes employers who are interested in issuing contracts for virtual performances, and interested parties should reach out to their business representative to learn more.

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Here you will find safe and sanitary procedures that have been developed over months of collaboration with producers and work with Dr. David Michaels, former head of OSHA during the Obama Administration and member of President Biden's Transition COVID-19 Advisory Board, on establishing safe and sanitary procedures for theatrical work during COVID-19.

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Is there contact info for the Equity League Health Fund?

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Is there contact info for the Equity League Health Fund?

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Question: Will AEA be putting together a best-practices/guidelines document and procedure for individuals who self-produce, or collectives who come together for a single project or workshop in order to create healthy anti-racist practices?

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Question: Will AEA be putting together a best-practices/guidelines document and procedure for individuals who self-produce, or collectives who come together for a single project or workshop in order to create healthy anti-racist practices?

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As we all discuss re-inventing theatre in a more human-centered, sustainable way as we come out of the pandemic.   can Equity consider a radical re-imagining of part-time rehearsal contracts at a lower rate than full-time rehearsals?  Our actors at SPT theatres often have either full-time jobs or intense part-time jobs and families that make it extraordinarily difficult to rehearse 34-40 hours a week.  In many cases, theatres and actors would be happier and more productive if they could rehearse 20 or 25 hours a week for 6-7 weeks instead of 34-40 for 3-5 weeks.   Theatres can't afford to just add additional weeks of rehearsal at a full-time rate without rehearsing full-time.   We are all living the BIG LIE that is never talked about - most of our SPT theatres CANNOT AND NEVER WILL BE THE SOLE EMPLOYER OF OUR ACTORS.   Can we just admit that and design a world in which the actors can be compensated, the theatres can survive and we all do better work and live happier lives?   And while we're at it, can we get REAL HEALTH INSURANCE FOR ACTORS.   It is a crime that actors cannot pay into insurance in order to keep their insurance when they don't accumulate the very large number of weeks Equity currently requires.   I just talked with an actor today who is leaving the union because health insurance was the primary benefit - and now it is almost impossible to accumulate the weeks required.  Don't just protect your members.  HELP THEM THRIVE!  There must be a different solution to this health insurance problem.

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@Bliss - not a question.....for many years we have required actors to participate in mandatory harassment training and it has been quite difficult to get actors to do it. I wonder if they are doing it at every theatre they work at and its redundant. We also intend to require anti-racist training when we re-open.

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@Bliss - not a question.....for many years we have required actors to participate in mandatory harassment training and it has been quite difficult to get actors to do it. I wonder if they are doing it at every theatre they work at and its redundant. We also intend to require anti-racist training when we re-open.

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Historically the burden of filing complaints and acting as liaison between production and producing organization falls to Stage Management team. Lots of conversations about actors so far here, but how will AEA protect SMs?

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Historically the burden of filing complaints and acting as liaison between production and producing organization falls to Stage Management team. Lots of conversations about actors so far here, but how will AEA protect SMs?

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Question: Can you discuss the intersection of AEA Healthcare and Anti-racism? As well as other health care issues related to COVID

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Question: Can you discuss the intersection of AEA Healthcare and Anti-racism? As well as other health care issues related to COVID

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- The Equity League Health Fund makes decisions independently of AEA
- AEA is not currently aware of changes being made in the health care structure.

- It is the unions job to protect members from risk.
- Employers take on the risk of cost if someone contracts COVID because of an exposure in the workplace. This includes the risk of cost of paying for someone to isolate safely. In nearly 300 productions, no employer has had to take on that cost.
- Employers are asked to take on the risk of health care cost if an employee becomes infected in the workplace. AEA is asking employers to work with the union to figure out how to cover the cost of that risk. Some have been able to get assurance from their workers comp coverage that they will cover it. Others have been able to work out agreements with their health care provider.

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Question: Is there Anti-racist training taking place within AEA? Are you encouraging theatres to hold Anti-Racist trainings with members.

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Question: Is there Anti-racist training taking place within AEA? Are you encouraging theatres to hold Anti-Racist trainings with members.

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- There is mandatory ongoing training for AEA staff.
- In the next 4-6 weeks there will be mandatory anti-racist training rolling out for members.
- It is AEA's recommendation to hold space and time on the first day of rehearsal to help members understand the organizations priorities and structures.

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@Bliss, can you talk about the intersection of the AEA health care and anti-racist strategies?

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@Bliss, can you talk about the intersection of the AEA health care and anti-racist strategies?

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Do on-line agreements include a provision to allow the work to be submitted in the case of implementation of on-line awards in theatre? Second, can agreements specify a certain number of on-line airings with an option for more?

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Do on-line agreements include a provision to allow the work to be submitted in the case of implementation of on-line awards in theatre? Second, can agreements specify a certain number of on-line airings with an option for more?

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My understanding is that AEA contends that, should an uninsured actor get Covid, the theater should cover all of their medical costs.  Tests, hospitalization, ICU, everything. Is this correct? This is not viable for most (really, any) theaters.  Is this accurate?

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My understanding is that AEA contends that, should an uninsured actor get Covid, the theater should cover all of their medical costs.  Tests, hospitalization, ICU, everything. Is this correct? This is not viable for most (really, any) theaters.  Is this accurate?

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Can this be covered under workers comp?

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Question: Can you speak to any changes in collaborative contracts and the future of media in theatre producing. Changes that will generally impact theatre producing?

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Question: Can you speak to any changes in collaborative contracts and the future of media in theatre producing. Changes that will generally impact theatre producing?

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- The relationship with SAG-AFTRA is developing & will continue developing.
- AEA is still learning about working in the virtual/streaming space.

- AEA is analyzing what they do as an employer and union to find the places where white supremacy is the norm in order to take those things apart and rebuild with Anti-Racism as the norm.
- AEA will be rewriting their systems for recruiting, hiring, and development of staff.
- One big change that AEA is working on is making sure members know the difference between normal practice and just practices. This means educating members on how the union can support and protect them. A sense of belonging and mental & emotional safety is a key component of workplace safety.

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When will companies be able to submit applications for Guest Artist Contracts?

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When will companies be able to submit applications for Guest Artist Contracts?

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When can we find out about what will be required to employ a member through Guest Artist Agreement?

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Question: Can you require proof of vaccination?

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Question: Can you require proof of vaccination?

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- Not every attorney has the same view on requiring vaccination. Equity's current practice is to encourage employers to encourage vaccines. It is an employers choice to mandate them. Equity has no objection to employers verifying vaccination status by looking at vaccination cards, but would object to requiring any more information than that. Employers should respect ADA exemptions- medical and religious.

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We propose that you bear these guidelines for respectful communication in mind, and consider offering additional agreements in your session rooms (compiled from a variety of sources):

Make space, take space (if you normally participate a lot, consider moving back for others; if you normally hold back, consider moving up)

Use “I” Statements (speak for yourself, not on behalf of a group)

Acknowledge the difference between intent and impact (well-intentioned comments can still cause harm)

Agree to disagree, but please do not disengage (we encourage leaning into healthy conflict)

Embrace imperfection (perfectionism is a hallmark of white supremacy culture,* so let’s resist it together and be okay with a little bit of mess)

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Can you talk about streaming?  Will it be allowed during the run?  After the run?  What will costs be in relation to your normal weekly conflict.

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Can you talk about streaming?  Will it be allowed during the run?  After the run?  What will costs be in relation to your normal weekly conflict.

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How are you accounting for children in the realm of fully vaccinated companies?

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How are you accounting for children in the realm of fully vaccinated companies?

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Can an organization require that staff or a cast be vaccinated? Can they require proof of vaccination?

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Can an organization require that staff or a cast be vaccinated? Can they require proof of vaccination?

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Can you explain the process for non Equity theatre contracts? I believe it is early July that we can apply but it makes us nervous that we may not be approved or things change and we have to postpone a production or cancel it for a third time. Thanks!

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Can you explain the process for non Equity theatre contracts? I believe it is early July that we can apply but it makes us nervous that we may not be approved or things change and we have to postpone a production or cancel it for a third time. Thanks!

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Question: What are the policies around vaccines?

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Question: What are the policies around vaccines?

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- AEA is still working through the most recent CDC policy update
- Many things that were requirements before vaccines will no longer be necessary. E.g. requiring less frequent COVID tests and changing air filtration requirements.
- For fully vaccinated companies the emphasis will be on cleaning and consulting ventilation experts.
- For partially vaccinated companies, it is still more approachable to produce. Different requirements will apply to vaccinated and non-vaccinated members. Each contract will vary on which mitigations need to be in place.

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Question: How is AEA expanding their capacity to prepare for an uptick in hiring.

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Question: How is AEA expanding their capacity to prepare for an uptick in hiring.

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- Rehiring staff
- Reorganizing staff internally
- Revamping internal efficiences
- DocuSign will still be accepted for contracts

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There is likely only to be a large uptick in hiring if the AEA safety protocols change/reduce, etc.

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There is likely only to be a large uptick in hiring if the AEA safety protocols change/reduce, etc.

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