Hi! I am a non-union actor who is taking on their first summer contract. Very exciting but it's also my first time reading and understanding a contract. Though it's pretty cut and dry, the only thing raising some flags is there's a Fine System put in place that is very thorough. A few examples of fines are as follows:
Breaking character, or causing another Performer to break character: $5
Failure to reset prop to its appropriate location: Warning, $5
Leaving trash in Rehearsal Space or Dressing Room: $1 per article
Damage or loss of costume pieces: Labor & replacement costs.
There are other types of fines about the cast housing, costumes, and others that actually are legitmate (missing a show, smoking in costume, etc.) Again, first timer so is this kind of fining system normal or should I be concerned at all???
Thank you and any advice for a first contract is appreciate:)
Objective breakage/damage of costumes, housing, set pieces, etc. makes sense & I have seen that clause in contracts. "Breaking character" and "failing to reset props"? Absolutely not and I would refuse to pay for that silliness. Are you toddlers or are you young adults who should be treated as the professionals you now are? I would be willing to bet they just put that language in there to scare people & don't literally enforce it; but it still says a lot about the character of whoever wrote it...