Theatre Authority FAQ

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An administrative fee is charged with few exceptions for every Theatre Authority (TA) approved benefit. This fee helps to defray the costs of a special insurance policy maintained by Theatre Authority for the union performers and stage managers who donate their services. All payments must be made online via a link provided upon conditional approval. This fee is based on a sliding scale.

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The administrative fee is not to be confused with an honorarium – the amount paid to a stage manager or actor in lieu of salary. The honorarium may be used to cover expenses for food, transportation, housing and other costs related to a union member's participation in the benefit. A benefit producer may not pay health and/or pension to the Equity-League Benefit Funds on behalf of a participant. (The Funds are prohibited from accepting pension and health payments for an individual actor or stage manager who is not signed to a formal union employment contract.)

Producers who fail to forward the administrative fee will be denied future Theatre Authority Agreements.

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TA can clear benefits with one or two performances. Should a producer wish to request clearance for more than two performances, the producer should contact union representatives at Equity to negotiate an appropriate employment contract.

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TThe rehearsal time must meet union-established requirements regarding standard breaks and span of day. Rehearsals are limited to 25 hours (not including the presentations). Should a producer require more than 25 hours of rehearsal, the producer should contact union representatives at Equity to negotiate an appropriate employment contract.

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A benefit may not be used to extend an already existing Equity Employment Contract or Showcase, nor may a benefit be offered as part of a subscription package. Generally, a benefit may not be used to supplant any appropriate contract or code, or for backers' auditions. Benefits may not be produced with multiple locations or in a traveling tour.

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The IRS code does not permit a charitable deduction for participant’s' time or donated services as participants in a benefit. Actors or stage managers with questions concerning taxes should be directed to the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) office at (212) 921-2548. VITA is only open on Thursdays except during tax season.

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Union performers or stage managers may terminate at will their services with a benefit at any time and for any reason without any penalty whatsoever.

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Neither Theatre Authority nor the unions are involved in procuring participants for benefit work.

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Neither Theatre Authority nor the unions are able to assist in securing rights for intellectual property.