Roles
These are the three types of performer roles in AEA.
This is the amount of notice you must give on AEA Agreements if there is no end date on your agreement.
What is "4 Weeks"?
aka a "Four Week Out"
This is the rate set by federal and state governments as the lowest amount you can receive per hour. This may vary by state, but can never be lower than the federal rate set.
What is minimum wage?
This is an agreed way to terminate a contract in the case of egregious or bad behavior.
What is "Just Cause"?
This is money given to you on top of your salary to cover living expenses while touring.
What is "Per Diem"?
Per Diem can include or exclude housing costs, but will fluctuate accordingly.
This is the union for live performers and stage managers in the United States.
What is Actors' Equity Association?
This is a featured ensemble part that does not rise to the level of principal performer, but deserves a special call out in terms of playbill listing. This also comes with a salary bump.
What is a "Specialty Role"?
This is a rider given to Ensemble members to commit them to a minimum amount of time on an agreement, usually in half-year or full-year amounts.
What are "Six Month Riders " and "Twelve Month Riders"?
"The dividing up of" and the equitable way to decrease your salary when you miss a day of rehearsal or performance.
What is "Proration"? (Or Prorating, Prorate)
Typically this is 1/6 for Rehearsals, 1/8 for Performances, and 1/7 for Per Diem.
Pro Ration can also increase your salary when you go on as an understudy.
This is the most volatile employment relationship and provides little protections to the employee. This is typical in non-theatre jobs and hourly based theatre jobs like theme parks.
What is "At Will" Employment?
This is where the company is based and you typically would not receive per benefits.
What is "Point of Organization"?
This is the union for screen, television, radio, and other captured media performers in the United States.
What is Screen Actors' Guild?
aka SAG, SAG-AFTRA
This term is added to agreements for when roles may be adjusted or added throughout the rehearsal process or run of show.
What is "As Cast"?
This is a temporary contract with a limited amount of agreed time. Typically for vacation or medical leave covers.
What is a "Short Term Contract"?
This is when all ensemble members are being offered the same financial terms.
What is Most Favored Nations?
This is the type of termination that both sides agree to mutually end the contract.
What is "BiLateral Termination"?
This your home and where the Producer should return you to when the tour end or during any layoffs.
What is "Point of Origin"?
This is when employer/union negotiations fail and the union walks away from the table.
What is a "Strike"?
This is the ordering of something, typically referring to understudies (i.e. first cover or second cover).
What is "enumeration"?
Covers can also be "non-enumerated"
These are negotiated terms for Principal performers for work in other mediums.
What are "Outs"?
Someone might negotiate this for certain performance related accolades that have mutual benefit for the performer and the show.
What is a "Bonus"?
This is the type of termination where you solely end the agreement and may come with consequences if previously agreed.
What is "Unilateral Termination"?
This is a period of time when the show has no bookings and the Producer may return you home. There is no compensation paid during this period and the number of these is limited in AEA Tours, but not in Non-AEA Tours.
What is a "Layoff"?
This are the terms for an employer/union agreement that has been fully negotiated, agreed, and ratified, and is considered the current Agreement being used.
What is Minimum Basic Agreement (MBA) and/or Collectively Bargained Agreement (CBA)?
What is an Alternate?
Alternates have scheduled performances, while standbys only go on when needed.
Ensemble members who are on a six or twelve month rider cannot break their time rider except for this type of work.
What are Principal roles in equal or higher contracts?
Ensemble can leave for Principal roles
Principals cannot leave for any reason unless pre-negotiated
You might receive a share in this if you did AEA Developmental work on a show.
What are "Net Profits"?
This is an event or "Act of God" that prevents an employer from providing the job and your ability to do the job.
What is "Force Majeure"?
This is potential compensation offered on lower tier tours based on the financial success of the tour in each market.
What are "Overages"?
This is a major benefit from AEA that secures your salary and benefits for two weeks and must be paid to the union before you can be offered employment.
What is "Bonding"?