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<DIV><STRONG>Hi folks,</STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>Some subscribers got this as an attachment that they couldn't
open. It is reprinted below in the body of the
message.</STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>It was originally sent to me by AEA actor Leslie Feagan and I
thought it was worth forwarding to the whole list. </STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>Thanks Leslie!</STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>Fred</STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">The Good Old Days?</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">A 1945 Code of Ethics for Theatre Workers
Surfaces</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>Equity member Kathleen Freeman died of lung cancer in August, 2001 while
she was appearing on Broadway in her Tony-nominated role of Jeanette in The Full
Monty. <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Equity Councillor Jane A. Johnston, a
longtime friend, was executrix for Ms. Freeman’s estate. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Among Ms. Freeman’s papers she discovered
a yellowed document containing </I>A Code of Ethics for Theatre Workers<I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">. Ms. Freeman was a daughter of a small time
vaudevillian team and it was her childhood experience of touring with her
parents from which this Code of Ethics sprung, Ms. Johnston writes.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>She also notes:<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>“What is particularly interesting about
this list of dos and don’ts for the theatre is that it was written in 1945 when
Kathleen was establishing one of the first small theatres in Los Angeles and she
was 24 years old.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I wish I had been
told some of ‘the rules’ when I was a young actress instead of having to pick
them up as I went along.”<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></I></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><FONT face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>The theatre was the Circle Players, and among its backers was Charlie
Chaplin. <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>That group
subsequently evolved into the Players’ Ring.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Although there is no record that either
company used an Equity contract (they certainly pre-dated the 99-Seat Code in
Los Angeles), nevertheless,<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Ms.
Johnston confirms that all the participants were professionals.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></I></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><FONT face="Times New Roman">Foreword to
the Code<o:p></o:p></FONT></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>“A part of the great tradition of the theatre is the code of ethics which
belong to every worker in the theatre.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>This code is not a superstition, nor a dogma, nor a ritual which is
enforced by tribunals; it is an attitude toward your vocation, your fellow
workers, your audiences and yourself.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>It is a kind of self-discipline which does not rob you of your invaluable
individualism.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>“Those of you who have been in show business know the full connotation of
these precepts.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Those of you who
are new to show business will soon learn.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>The Circle Players, since its founding in 1945, has always striven to
stand for the finest in theatre, and it will continue to do so.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Therefore, it is with the sincere
purpose of continued dedication to the great traditions of the theatre that
these items are here presented.” The “rules” follow:</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>1.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I shall never miss a
performance.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>2.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I shall play every
performance with energy, enthusiasm and to the best of my ability regardless of
size of audience, personal illness, bad weather, accident, or even death in my
family.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>3.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I shall forego all social
activities which interfere with rehearsals or any other scheduled work at the
theatre, and I shall always be on time.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>4.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I shall never make a
curtain late by my failure to be ready on time.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>5.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I shall never miss an
entrance.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>6.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I shall never leave the
theatre building or the stage area until I have completed my performance, unless
I am specifically excused by the stage manager; curtain calls are a part of the
show.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>7.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I shall not let the
comments of friends, relatives or critics change any phase of my work without
proper consultation; I shall not change lines, business, lights, properties,
settings or costumes or any phase of the production without consultation with
and permission of my director or producer or their agents, and I shall inform
all people concerned.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>8.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I shall forego the
gratification of my ego for the demands of the play.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>9.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I shall remember my
business is to create illusion; therefore, I shall not break the illusion by
appearing in costume and makeup off-stage or outside the theatre.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>10.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I shall accept my
director’s and producer’s advice and counsel in the spirit in which it is given,
for they can see the production as a whole and my work from the front.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>11.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I shall never “put on an
act” while viewing other artists’ work as a member of an audience, nor shall I
make caustic criticism from jealousy or for the sake of being smart.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>12.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I shall respect the play
and the playwright and, remembering that “a work of art is not a work of art
until it is finished,” I shall not condemn a play while it is in
rehearsal.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>13.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I shall not spread rumor
or gossip which is malicious and tends to reflect discredit on my show, the
theatre, or any personnel connected with them—either to people inside or outside
the group.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>14.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Since I respect the
theatre in which I work, I shall do my best to keep it looking clean, orderly
and attractive regardless of whether I am specifically assigned to such work or
not.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>15.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I shall handle stage
properties and costumes with care for I know they are part of the tools of my
trade and are a vital part of the physical production.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>16.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I shall follow rules of
courtesy, deportment and common decency applicable in all walks of life (and
especially in a business in close contact with the public) when I am in the
theatre, and I shall observe the rules and regulations of any specific theatre
where I work.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>17.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I shall never lose my
enthusiasm for theatre because of disappointments.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>In addition, the document continued:</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>“I understand that membership in the Circle Theatre entitles me to the
privilege of working, when I am so assigned, in any of the phases of a
production, including:<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>props,
lights, sound, construction, house management, box office, publicity and stage
managing—as well as acting.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I
realize it is possible I may not be cast in a part for many months, but I will
not allow this to dampen my enthusiasm or desire to work, since I realize
without my willingness to do all other phases of theatre work, there would be no
theatre for me to act in.”</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>All members of the Circle Theatre were required to sign this
document.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>And they must
have—because the theatre, and the group into which it evolved, was successful
for many years.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">
</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><FONT lang=0
face=Arial color=#000000 size=3 FAMILY="SANSSERIF"
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