[NEohioPAL]Professional?

[Lauren Muney]

Dustin Brennan,

Your post seems to have been of interest to many people. Obviously  
your concept of 'professionalism' is based upon UNION accreditation  
only, a union which was originally formed to "protect" theatre  
artists from abuses. Unions now have often become a form of "haves  
vs. have-nots": it sometimes becomes a club of snobs, instead of a  
brother/sisterhood. That wasn't the original intent of any union, and  
Equity (and SAG, and others) should be the same way.

I have been a variety entertainer for over 20 years, performed  
internationally, been in magazines, newspapers, and on television  
many times. There was no "union" I could have belonged to which would  
have encompassed my skills and experience, nor that would give me  
credibility. Even AGVA couldn't. But by making money I was still a  
"professional", and by my demeanor I was (or tried to be) responsible  
in my occupation: always prepared, on time, ready to work with  
clients, producers, or co-workers. In fact, due to my  
"professionalism" and skill level, I was/am often paid quite well.

I also have seen "union" people unprepared, often late, nasty, work  
very poorly with others, and quite frequently, not very good. Being  
in a union does not necessarily make someone more of a  
"professional", it just makes them able to meet the on-paper criteria  
that the union requires --and pay the dues. That being said, joining  
a professional union while being a professional (in demeanor) does  
help many people.

As for "union" theatres: again, while most union theatres have good  
reputations, just being 'union' doesn't mean anything. Ever see other  
unions' workers? Sometimes it's just watching them wait for their  
union-stipulated breaks. On the flip side, just because someone is  
paid doesn't mean it's a decent wage. If someone hires a 14-yr-old to  
make balloon animals at a child's party for $15, technically he's a  
professional also. But being paid is no definition of success or  
experience: it can be just a description of money exchanging hands.  
I've seen [professional] circus performers work 80 hours/week in  
grueling performance conditions for $150/week, and I've seen "ACTORS"  
get paid exorbitant amounts of money for 5 minutes ---with lots of  
whining.

I agree with these other NEohiopal people: "professional" means being  
PAID. But it also can mean how the company, performer, or theatre  
management works.

Additionally, if a small theatre company pays its actors (even if  
it's $5/show), they have a right to advertise whatever truths they  
want to say -- it's simply 'marketing'. There are awful productions  
mounted in every theatre, whether it's unpaid or paid theatre; each  
still advertises to the public so they can get audiences. If a  
theatre advertises "Newest professional theatre!" so what? It's a truth.

I'm not trying to flame you, Dustin, but maybe your post is a call  
for you to examine what YOU think about these "non-professional"  
theatres ---and think about the whole industry at large. Sounds like  
you have a grudge against these smaller theatres somehow, or a  
glorification of the union. The real point is that beauty (or crap)  
can come from any source, union or otherwise.

Everyone has to decide on their own professionalism also -- whether  
or not they are paid.

Lauren

-------------------

Lauren Muney
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301-674-7086 cell
Personal email:
LaurenMuney at comcast.net

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On Feb 14, 2006, at 10:44 PM, Matt DuMont wrote:

>
> Hi,
> Several people have already contributed to this discussion in very  
> organized and well thought out ways. (Hi Adam ;-D)
>
> I turn though to Merriam-Webster Dictionary.
>
> Professional:
> 2 a : participating for gain or livelihood in an activity or field  
> of endeavor often engaged in by amateurs <a professional golfer>  
> b : having a particular profession as a permanent career <a  
> professional soldier> c : engaged in by persons receiving financial  
> return <professional football>
>
> So, in short, a professional is anyone who is getting paid to do  
> work, regardless of what it is... be it painting houses, answereing  
> phones, working at McDonalds... Being Unionized or part of the  
> Union has nothing to do with being professional.
>
> I've done several Professional Non-Equity shows. Thats how a lot of  
> people get experience so when you eventually become Equity you  
> aren't completely new to the business aspect of acting and theater.
>
> I think that pretty much sums it up. I get paid to do work. I'm a  
> professional. =)
> -Matt DuMont
>