By Sandra KarasVolunteer IncomeTaxAssistance Program

Ibegin this year’s articles ona personal note. My friendand one of the founders of

Equity’s Volunteer Income TaxAssistance (VITA) program,Conard Fowkes, died this pastDecember, leaving a legacy ofassistance to actors that isunparalleled in the program’shistory – indeed, rarely seen atany level of union volunteerism.In 1977, Conard, MichaelEnserro and Shorling Schneiderformed an unofficial committeeof individuals who venturedbravely into the InternalRevenue Code and foundedAEA’s VITA Program in an effortto help fellow performersnavigate the waters of the IRS.Since that time, VITA hasserved tens of thousands ofAEA, SAG and AFTRAmembers, saving them millionsof dollars in taxes.Yours trulyjoined the effort a year or soafter VITA was founded and,inspired by our founders’examples, I was determined tolearn everything I could learnabout performing artists andtheir relationship to our systemof taxation. Michael Enserro andSchorling Schneider passedaway many years ago and, withConard’s death, we have lostour last founding member ofVITA. But, we continue the workon behalf of our fellowperformers, as we have for morethan 30 years.We hope thateach member who hasbenefitted or will benefit fromthis program will pay a tribute ofthanks to the founders and

especially, our late ConardFowkes, whose dedication tothem and this program werevaluable gifts indeed.We are Volunteers – As Mr.

Fowkes often stressed, we areunpaid and well-trainedvolunteer members of theInternal Revenue Service’sVolunteer Income TaxAssistance Program. Thisparticular program, located atthe Equity building in NewYorkand at other union offices asavailable, is supported byEquity, SAG and AFTRA toprovide tax assistance tomembers of those three unions.It is not a function of union staffin any of its locations, in spite ofthe perception to the contrary.We remind each member whomay benefit from the free taxhelp that the individual assistingyou is probably a union memberhim or herself and is doinghis/her best work possible tohelp you file your tax returns inaccordance with the terms ofour agreement with the IRS.Questions may be directed tothe VITA Site Coordinator atyour location or sent to the IRSnearest you.Are you being audited? –

The NewYork office of VITA iscurrently compiling auditinformation and providing someassistance to these members inthe form of officialcorrespondence and othermeans. If you are one of ourmembers who has experiencedan audit or examination, we askyou to please contact our officeand provide information for ourfiles and determine if we may beof help in resolving your case.Unemployment benefits:

Taxation andWithholding –While most of you already knowthat you pay tax onunemployment insurance, thisyear you might be pleasantlysurprised to learn that you’ll getsome relief in receiving the first$2,400 tax-free! We recommendthat you withhold both federal

In response to the devastatingearthquake in Haiti onJanuary 12, 2010, Broadway

Cares/Equity Fights AIDS hascontributed $100,000 to UNICEFin the name of the theatrecommunity to assist in theHaitian relief efforts.

Paul Libin, President of theBoard of BC/EFA, and TomViola, Executive Director ofBC/EFA, said, “Thanks to the

theatre community’s remarkablefundraising efforts prior to therecent Gypsy of the YearCompetition, BC/EFA has beenable to make a contribution toUNICEF to support the UN’sHaitian relief efforts.”

For more information on howto help and a listing of otherorganizations acceptingcontributions, visit Equity’swebsite, www.actorsequity.org.

Help for Haiti

If you would like to help thepeople of Haiti who havesuffered in the devastating

tragedy of the January 12, 2010earthquake, the AFL-CIO hascompiled a listing of serviceorganizations acceptingdonations.They are: DoctorsWithout Borders, Partners inHealth, Red Cross InternationalResponse Fund, RN ResponseNetwork, Solidarity CenterEducation Fund, UnitedWayWorldwide Disaster Fund and

Yéle Haiti.You may visit theEquity website,www.actorsequity.org, to click onany of these organizations tomake a donation.

“If you really want to helpthe American theatre,

don’t be an actress, darling.Be an audience.”

—Tallulah Bankhead

JANUARY/FEBRUARY2010Volume 95Number 1 EQUITYNEWS

A Publication of Actors’ Equity Association • NEWS FORTHETHEATRE PROFESSIONAL • www.actorsequity.org • Periodicals Postage Paid at NewYork, NY and Additional Mailing Offices

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IndexPresident Mark Zimmermanresigns ................................1

Council commits to lobbyingcampaign on health care reform..1

A new decade of taxation ..........1

Tribute to Conard Fowkes ..........4

Postcards from the Regions .......5

Changes in health coverage .......8

Mark Zimmerman Resignsas Equity President; Paige PriceCarries Out DutiesMark Zimmerman

resigned as EquityPresident, effective

December 11, 2009. First VicePresident Paige Price iscarrying out the duties of theOffice until a new President iselected.

In his resignation statementto the Officers and Council, Mr.Zimmerman said he wanted todevote more time to hispersonal life and his career. “Ididn’t go into this business to bea President of a Union. I did it tobe an Actor. I miss that, and Iwant to devote my time to doingwhat I love.” Mr. Zimmerman iscurrently in the Broadwaycompany ofWest Side Story.

“Mark has been an importantpart of the Equity family, first asa Vice President and then asPresident,” said Ms. Price. “Hehas helped to shape thedirection of the Union withenergy and vision. The Officers

and Council will continue tobuild upon our solid foundationof leadership and serve themembers with the samededication that Mark hasdemonstrated.”

A member of Equity since1976, Mr. Zimmerman steppedinto the role of President in 2006when then-President PatrickQuinn resigned to become theExecutive Director. Mr.Zimmerman led the Unionthrough the difficult timefollowing Mr. Quinn’s suddenpassing and the extendedsearch for a new ExecutiveDirector. Under Mr.Zimmerman’s leadership, Equityachieved a 401(k) plan for itsmembers through collectivebargaining and, together withhis fellow officers and executivestaff, conducted ExpandedRegional Board meetings fromwhich the Union’s strategic longterm plan was set. He also

created the groundwork forEquity’s centennial, which willtake place in 2013.

Paige Price was elected to aPrincipal Council seat in theEastern Region in 2001 afterserving on the ProductionContract Committee and being amember of the 2000 ProductionContract Negotiating Team. Sheserved again on the 2004Production Contract NegotiatingTeam and was elected to asecond Council term in 2006.When Mark Zimmerman waselected President to fill theposition vacated by the latePatrick Quinn in 2006, theCouncil elected Ms. Price to fillMr. Zimmerman’s post as FirstVice President until the nextelection in 2007. At that point,she was elected by themembership to serve until 2009and was reelected to that officein 2009.

BC/EFA Contributes$100,000 for Haitian Relief

(continued on page 3)

A New Decade ofTaxation

Council Resolves to ContinueEfforts to Improve Health Care;Commits to Lobbying CampaignBy Rachel LaforestPublic Policy Director

At its meeting on January19, 2010, Councilcommitted to continue

its efforts to improve health careand resolved that “uponpassage of any health carereform bill by Congress, Equityagrees to commit to a lobbyingcampaign over the next threeyears that seeks to address theills of the bill. Either bylegislative amendments or bythe regulatory process and rule-writing, we will work to eliminatethe worst components of the bill

and to safeguard the bestcomponents.”

It has been a long anddifficult road to health carereform. Reform - which is crucial

for millions of Americans -hangs in the balance and thepicture is becoming bleaker witheach passing day. Rapidlyescalating health care costs arecrushing family, business, andgovernment budgets. Employer-sponsored health insurancepremiums have doubled in thelast nine years, a rate threetimes faster than cumulativewage increases. This forcesfamilies to make impossiblechoices between paying rent orpaying health premiums. Givenall that we spend on health care,American families should not

Equity MournsPassing ofConard Fowkes(Seepage 4)

(continued on page 3)

REMEMBERINGCONARD FOWKES

Dear Editor:For many of us, Conard

Fowkes was synonymous withthe best our union has to offer.He was welcoming, inclusive,and brought a sense ofbrotherhood.When I was ayoung actor starting out in NewYork, Conard’s enthusiasm forour profession was strongenough to keep me going andapproach the difficult work ofgetting work with integrity. Inthose years I made only a fewthousand dollars, but thanks toConard’s leadership in helpingestablish VITA, and his calmingempowerment, I was able tokeep most of my earnings andremain optimistic thatperseverance would berewarded. Although I never sawhim act, never sat at his kitchentable, and never knew him wellenough to feel comfortablecalling him Connie, he made anindelible impression on me and,undoubtedly, on so manyothers with his rarecombination of intelligence,generosity, and charm.

Stephen BerensonTrinity Repertory Company

LOVELY MEMORYDear Editor:

Your story re Gertrude Berg(Equity News, July/August2009) brought back a lovely

memory.

In the summer of 1957, myhusband, Rex Partington, wastouring as Cornelius inGertrude Berg’s production ofThe Matchmaker. I was inVirginia with my motherawaiting the birth of our firstchild.

Before Rex III was born onSeptember 18, Mrs. Berghosted a baby shower for theexpectant father. Everyone saidit was the best shower of anykind, and “new baby” receivedsome nice gifts.

In fact, I still have thebooties Mrs. Berg gave “thePartington heir.”

Not only was she a belovedactress, but also a charming,loving hostess.

Cleo Holladay

MEMORIAL FORSHIRLEY RICH

Dear Editor:

There will be a memorialheld for Shirley Rich [renownedcasting director who died onDecember 28, 2009] in NewYork in the spring of 2010. Herdaughter, Lisa Krohn, wouldlike to hear from anyone whowould like to participate in theservice. She can be reached at(917) 856-1234 orlisakrohnllc@gmail.com. Thedate, location and time of thememorial service is still to bedetermined and will beannounced shortly.

Lisa Krohn

IN MEMORIAM

Dear Editor:

I am writing with sad news.My dear friend and mentor, theactress Collin Wilcox Paxton,passed away on October 14,2009 from brain cancer. Sad asthis news is, I cannot help butsmile when I think of her, asshe always made me laugh.

My first AEA show was in1984, Foxfire, at the AllianceTheatre in Atlanta, GA. Foxfirewas Collin’s last AEA show;she played the Jessica Tandypart, and I played the ingénue.She left Hollywood to return toher mountain home inHighlands, NC to attend to herdying mother. She onlyventured forth for special parts.Somehow Artistic Director andfriend, Fred Chappell, got heroff her mountain to Atlanta toplay the part which fit her like aglove.

I was so fortunate to havehad the rare chance to workwith her and even luckier thatshe became a lifelong friend.We referred to each other asT.M. (Theatre Mother) and T.D.(Theatre Daughter). She taught

me plenty about acting, men,and life. She loved champagne,dogs, America Spirit cigarettes,and smart people. Shecollected a family of artists—people came from far and wideto hold court with her on heridyllic mountain. Every womanI know held her in great awe,as she married a devoted man,Scott Paxton, 18 years herjunior. Their loving 30-yearmarriage was an inspiration toall who knew them.

She and Scott founded theHighlands Studio for the Artswhich provided a free artseducation to the local publicschool children. Collin was alsoa talented writer. Her playPapa’s Angels, was publishedby Samuel French and madeinto a film for CBS starringScott Bakula and CynthiaNixon.

She is best remembered forher brilliant performance as“Mayella Violet Ewell,” thewhite-trash girl who accuses ablack man of raping her in theclassic 1962 film, To Kill aMockingbird. She receivedAEA’s Clarence DerwentAward for her Broadway debutin The Day the MoneyStopped. She worked with MikeNichols and Elaine May in theimprov troupe Compass inChicago. She was a member ofThe Actors Studio and was aparticular favorite of LeeStrasberg.

In 1995, Collin was coaxedoff her mountain again to playthe part of a magical homelesswoman who adopts a dognamed “Fluke” in the film of thesame name. I had a small rolein the film, which was directedby the Italian director, CarloCarlei. I was thrilled to be ableto work with Collin one lasttime. At the end of filming,Carlo agonized over what to dowith the puppy. Of course itwas decided that the luckypuppy would “retire” to afabulous dog’s life with Scott,Collin and all their dogs.

My darling T.M., I love youand miss you, but I promise tokeep laughing.

Clarinda Ross

Dear Editor:On August 15, 2009 Phil

DiMaggio, AEA stage managerand casting director, passedaway in his beloved adoptedstate of Vermont where he livedwith his companion of 33 years,Lee Groghan.

I was lucky enough to haveworked with Phil for many yearswhen he joined Julie Hughesand me at Hughes MossCasting. He was beloved by the

entire acting community and heloved them back. Phil was oneof the sweetest men you couldever meet. He was also anexcellent stage manager andwas production stage manageron Broadway’s Precious Sonsas well as the National tours ofTap Dance Kid and On YourToes (with Leslie Caron). OtherNational tours he stagemanaged were Good Evening,Pippin, Hellzapoppin’ (JerryLewis), and Guys and Dolls(Debbie Allen). He rememberedThe Actors Fund in his will andI’m sure he would like to haveany contributions in his namego to The Actors Fund as well.Phil will be greatly missed.

Barry Moss, New York

REMEMBERINGDOUGLAS CAMPBELL

Dear Editor:I write this to call attention to

the extraordinary life and workof the great actor, director andtheatrical artist, DouglasCampbell. Douglas died of aheart attack on October 6,2009. Nearby were his childrenand his wife, Moira Wylie, awoman of strength, warmth andwit.

In the US, Douglas will beremembered as the man whosucceeded Tyrone Guthrie asArtistic Director of the GuthrieTheater Company, and for hisperformances on Broadway inGideon opposite FredericMarch and later as MartinDysart in Equus. In England, hewas a leading actor with theOld Vic and was mentored bySir Lewis Casson, whosedaughter Ann was his first wife.In Canada, he was one of thefounding company members of

22 // EEQQUUIITTYYnews JJAANNUUAARRYY//FFEEBBRRUUAARRYY 22001100

Letters received from paid up members on subjects of concern to Equity members will be considered andpublished as soon as possible. The Editor reserves the right to limit letters to 150 words and to select oneor two representative letters when many similar letters are received. Letters must be signed, but nameswill be withheld on request for those letters which may affect members’ employment. Signatures will notbe withheld on letters antagonistic or accusatory, either implied or expressed, against other members. Opinionsexpressed in Letters to the Editor are not necessarily those of Actors’ Equity Association.

UU..SS..PPoossttaaggee

4444Letters to The Editor

AEA LaunchesNationalArea LiaisonHotline SystemCall 877-AEA-1913

Equity has established a newNational toll-free hotline systemfor members who live in AreaLiaison and office cities. Thenew number is 877-AEA-1913(honoring the year of Equity’sfounding). Each Area Liaisoncity has its own extension,where members canaccess news and information intheir region.

(1) Dial 877-AEA-1913

(2) Dial your city extension: 811 Atlanta812 Austin/San Antonio813 Boston814 Buffalo/Rochester815 Chicago816 Cincinnati/Louisville817 Cleveland818 Dallas/Fort Worth819 Denver820 Detroit821 Florida – Central822 Florida – South823 Houston824 Kansas City825 Las Vegas826 Los Angeles827 Milwaukee/Madison828 Minneapolis/St Paul829 Nashville830 New Orleans831 New York832 Philadelphia833 Phoenix/Tucson834 Pittsburgh835 San Diego836 San Francisco837 Seattle838 St. Louis839 Washington DC/Baltimore

2010 Annual ElectionCalendar

Tuesday, February 23, 2010 Deadline for Reports of all

Nominating Committees

Friday, March 5, 2010 Deadline for Nominations by

Independent Petition (Materials

due in all three Regional Offices

by 2 p.m. Eastern Time)

Wednesday, March 10, 2010 Deadline for Candidates’

Statements for Equity News,

Equity Website, and Ballot

Brochure (Due in all three

Regional Offices by 2 p.m.

Eastern Time)

Lottery for Ballot Placement

(National Office)

Friday, April 9, 2010 Annual National Membership

Meeting (All regions via

teleconference) Candidate

Speeches

Monday, April 12, 2010 Distribution of ballots (from

balloting company)

Friday, May 21, 2010 Deadline for receipt of ballots

Saturday, May 22, 2010 Tabulation Day

(continued on page 8)

Editor: DICK MOOREAssociate Editor: HELAINE FELDMAN

Equity News Advisory Committee

Christine Toy Johnson,Chair(Eastern)

Nancy Daly (Western)

Nicole Flender (Eastern)

Bruce Alan Johnson (Eastern)

Kevin McMahon (Western)

Tom Murray (Central)

Barbara Roberts (Western)

EQUITY NEWS (ISSN: 00924520) is published monthly except for com-bined issues in Jan./Feb., July/Aug.,Oct . , /Nov. , by Actors ' Equi tyAssociation, 165 West 46th Street,New York, NY 10036. Telephone:(212) 869-8530. Per iod ica lspostage paid at New York, NY. andadditional mailing offices. Copyright2003, Actors' Equity Association.Subscription price for non-membersof Actors' Equity Association: $25 peryear. Postmaster: Send addresschanges to Equity News, 165 West46th St., New York, NY 10036.

EQUITYNEWS

have to face that choice.There is a great deal of talk

now about scaling back healthcare plans and it is looking moreand more like a bill will bepassed piecemeal, include a taxon health care and an individualmandate with subsidies that areregulated state-by-state. Atpress time, this is where thingsstood:

The outcome of the specialsenatorial election inMassachusetts changed thebalance of power in the Senate.The Obama administration nolonger has a filibuster-proofSenate forcing the Executivebranch and House to reset theirsights with regard to the contentof a health care bill as well asthe method for getting it passed.

There are a few options opento lawmakers in order to moveforward:

1. They can go back to theformal reconciliation process.Rather than modifying theSenate bill alone, a smallcommittee made up of Houseand Senate members wouldaddress both billssimultaneously and blendvarious components of each. Inreconciliation it would bepossible for both houses to getrid of the worst pieces of the billand the process requires only51 votes in the Senate to passit. Because of the reconciliationrules agreed to early in thereform process, a filibusterwould not be allowed. It isunclear however, whether or not

there are enough favorablevotes in the Senate for areconciled bill to pass.

2. There can be a “fix it” billsubmitted to the Senate thatwould function as anamendment to the originalSenate bill. This “fix it” bill wouldinclude several of thecompromises agreed to in mid-January. It would also be subjectto the reconciliation process butnot all items would meet the testfor what can be done viareconciliation (items must havea budgetary impact to beconsidered). It will then have tobe passed by both houses inaddition to the House having topass the original Senate bill.

3. The House could pass theSenate bill as is and wait tomake amendments to the worstpieces of it bit by bit over time. Itis also uncertain in this instancewhether or not there are enoughfavorable votes in the House forthe bill to pass as is.

4. Finally, they could scrapthe entire process and start overfrom the beginning. This is anunlikely step but a possibilitynonetheless and an idea beingchampioned by severallawmakers.

President Obama hasannounced that he does notwant Congress to move forwarduntil Scott Brown has beensworn into office (the schedulefor which remains up in the air)and has advised that Congress“try to move quickly to coalescearound those elements in thepackage that people agree on,”but it is unclear what direction

things will take once that isdone. The bottom line is thatAmericans cannot afford risinghealth care costs and somethingmust be done.

Either bill in its current formwill affect the Equity Health TrustFund. Even the best casescenario of the available optionswill have an impact. Memberparticipation in this fight hasmade a difference. We wereheard and were instrumental inthe compromises that werereached with regard to the tax,affordability and minimizing theeffects on multi-employer plans.We will have to continue thiswork to ensure thosecompromises are retained in thefinal bill or inserted over time.

Equity will be tracking theprocess as it unfolds over thenext few weeks and, as always,will pay particular attention tothe bill components that are tiedto our specific concerns. Ofutmost importance are:

1. A Nationally-regulatedexchange rather than oneregulated state-to-state. Thishelps to keep costs down and iscloser to functioning like a singlepayer system.

2. The possibility of a 40%tax on health care.

3. The affordability of anindividual mandate, and

4. Any adverse effects thebill would have on multi-employer plans such asEquity’s.

For more information andrecommended reading visitwww.actorsequity.org

and state tax on your benefits.New York State will withhold amaximum of 2.5% state tax onyour unemployment benefits.For more information about NewYork withholding, contact ValerieLaVarco at the New York Equityoffice: (212) 869-8530, Ext. 327.Other 2009 Highlights are

as follows:1. Withholding payments to

the Social SecurityAdministration are assessedon higher amounts this year, asin every previous year. You andyour employer will pay 6.2% onevery dollar you earn up to$106,800 – up from last year’s$102,000. There is no limit onthe earnings amount for the1.45% tax to Medicare. 2. Mileage rates for 2009

have been lowered to 55¢ forbusiness mileage, 24¢ formedical and moving mileageand remain at 14¢ for yourcharitable miles driven. Theserates are for those who do notclaim actual auto expenses. Areminder that business mileageconsists of the driving you do insearch of work, driving out oftown on a job in your ownvehicle and any miles you incurdriving for your employer forwhich you are not reimbursed. Itdoes not include commutingback and forth to work.3. Purchasers of a new

(first-user) vehicle, truck ormotor home may claim the

sales tax paid as either astandard or itemized deductionthis year. Qualifications apply.

4. Convert your IRA to aRoth and pay your taxes overthe next two years (2011 &2012) on the converted amount.The new law waives the$100,000 income limitation, butthe 5-year holding rule stillapplies for these accounts.

5. New York MetropolitanCommuter TransportationMobility Tax levies an additionaltax of .34% on New Yorkmetropolitan area net incomefrom self-employment, apartnership or a limited liabilitycompany that exceeds $10,000.Separate estimated taxes mustbe filed by those affected by thisnew provision.

(Due to space constraints,the following topics arediscussed on the web site:Making Work Pay Credit,Economic Recovery Payment,Foreclosure Relief, MortgageInsurance Premium Deduction,First-time Homebuyer and Long-time Homebuyer Credits,Increased College Credit,Capital Gains Rates, KiddieTaxes, and Property TaxStandard Deduction.)

Sandra Karas is Secretary-Treasurer of Actors’ Equity, amember of SAG and AFTRA, aVITA Volunteer and an attorneyin private practice in the areasof tax, estate planning andbusiness law.

JJAANNUUAARRYY//FFEEBBRRUUAARRYY 22001100 EEQQUUIITTYYnews / 33

Decade of TaxationContinued from page 1

Health CareContinued from page 1

Strong andUnitedBy Carol Waaser

Ifeel privileged to beaddressing you as ActingExecutive Director of Actors’

Equity. I joined the Association40 years ago as a rookie stagemanager and it has been theone constant in my career andmy life. And Equity remainsconstant even in transition.Although we have had anunexpected change inleadership, the union remainsstrong and united. We aremoving forward.

The December issue ofEquity News contained theAnnual Report, giving manystatistics for the 2008-9 seasonand comparing those statisticsto years past. Many of you havelittle interest in statistics. That’sas it should be – you give theworld your artistry and theEquity staff in turn takes care ofthe mundane. However, whatyou should know from thecomparison of the past seasonwith seasons ten and 20 yearsago, is that Equity has grown.During a period when mostunions in the United States have

contracted, losing bothmembers and jobs, Equity hasmade gains in virtually everycategory: membership,workweeks, average number ofopen companies per week,percentage of members whoworked during the season, andmedian annual earnings.

We will continue to grow. Wewill continue to negotiate fairwages and working conditionswhile making more jobopportunities available tomembers. And we will continueto administer contracts withgreat diligence. What enables usto do this is the extraordinarytalent of you, the membership,and your steadfast belief thatyou are professionals whoshould be compensated andtreated fairly. You are well-represented by the membersyou elect to be Officers andCouncillors and by the memberswho volunteer to be Deputiesand serve on committees. Noteveryone has to volunteer, butevery one of you must stand upfor your right to be aprofessional.

For as long as I’ve been onthe Equity staff (some 27 years),the leadership has debated howto balance our need to createmore job opportunities with ourdesire to improve terms andworking conditions. In manyinstances, the only way tocreate more job opportunities is

initially to lower the terms underwhich we’re willing to work in aparticular venue, then try toimprove those terms as thevenue gains audiences inresponse to better productions.It will be a never-endingbalancing act. Those who arenot working will urge the unionto organize non-union sectorsand recapture jobs that we’velost. When we do bring thesejob opportunities under contract,those who take the jobs willdecry the lowering of standards.We need all your voices in thedebate in order to stay inbalance as we continue toorganize.

We also have an opportunityover the next three years tobring Equity and the value oflive theatre to the attention ofcurrent and potential audiencesand of legislators throughout thecountry. Equity turns 100 in justunder three and a half years!You will be seeing more over thecoming months about plans fora year-long celebration that willbegin in the spring of 2012. Andwhile it will be a very personalbirthday celebration for Equityand its membership, it will alsobe a public celebration ofprofessional live theatre and itsimportance to our culture and toour national character. Asformer Councillor MadeleineSherwood used to declare,“Long live live theatre!”

From theEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Carleton Davis, for-mer Artistic Director ofthe Cape Playhouse inDennis, MA, whoreceived a LifeMembership in Equity in1999, died in Sarasota,Florida on October 30,2009. He was 77.

Mr. Davis was a pro-fessional singer whoperformed with theMetropolitan OperaCompany and New YorkCity Opera, as well as inBroadway musicals and nation-al touring companies. Later, hewas a producer of touring musi-cals and plays for leading sum-mer theatres throughout thecountry and the artistic direc-tor/producer at the CapePlayhouse, America's oldestprofessional summer theatre.So great was his influence, thatthe COST (Council of StockTheatres) group of theatres withwhich Equity negotiated wasinformally known as theCarleton Davis Circuit.

On November 16, 1999,upon retiring from the CapePlayhouse, he was awarded aLife Membership in Equity.

Councillor Larry Cahn madethe presentation on behalf of

the Stock Committee and theAdvisory Committee on ChorusAffairs, calling Mr. Davis "agreat friend of this union and agreat member of this union…who had a deep and abidingaffection" for Actors and whohad provided countless workweeks to Equity members overthe years. Mr. Davis, in turn,said that his aim at the CapePlayhouse was to make it themost Equity Actor friendly the-atre in America.

Retired Equity stafferRichard Natkowski, Mr. Davis'partner for 48 years, is his lonesurvivor along with Mr. Wesley,their pet Schnauzer.

In lieu of flowers, donationsmay be made to the Actors'Equity Foundation, 165 West46th Street, New York 10036.

Producer Carleton Davis DiesAwarded AEA Life Membershipin 1999

Councillor Jeanne Lehman is flankedby Carleton Davis (l) and RichardNatkowski.

44 // EEQQUUIITTYYnews JJAANNUUAARRYY//FFEEBBRRUUAARRYY 22001100

C onard and I became friendsbecause we had so much incommon. We graduated from

New York’s School of Performing Artsand then went on to Yale –undergraduate: an unusual journey.We even had the same reunion yearfor the two schools. We did shows atYale’s Dramat; were members ofMory’s; worked on the daytimedrama, As the World Turns and didshows at the Westport CountryPlayhouse. We both owned the firstedition of the American HeritageDictionary of the English Language

and enjoyed meeting in diners andcoffee shops. He claimed I knewevery “lunch counter” on the island ofManhattan. Always ready to discussfigures of speech and literary devices,we also enjoyed picking pennies upoff the pavement. I have been proudto serve alongside Conard on theCouncil of Actors’ Equity Associationfor the past fifteen years.

Now, I could talk about Conard’spassion for taxes and his service toEquity, or his devotion to fellow actorsand respect for correct Englishgrammar and usage, but mycolleagues say itbeautifully so…

I’ll talk aboutthe kids and thejokes. Conardreally loved kids.The small ones,toddling on theirtoes, made himlaugh. The olderones, hebelieved, shouldbe handled bytheir parentswith “benignneglect.” He enjoyed vetting the collegescholarship applications for AFTRA andwe spoke about the components of agood college essay: content and form.He was my most loquacious speakeron a panel that I moderated for EquityYoung Performers this past fall and hespoke eloquently, yet clearly, abouttaxes, to parents and kids who werenew to show business. My friends fromPerforming Arts enjoyed Conard. Hedelighted in their jocularity and theywere impressed with all his stories ofthe original school. He was, after all, inthe second graduating class. He likedreminding me that Sidney Lumet wasone of his teachers.

Finally, there was always humor.Conard saw the humor in everyday life.It was easy to make him laugh and hegave people the benefit of the doubt.He liked meeting new people andhearing their stories, which is why, hetold me, he enjoyed doing taxes. A newclient meant hearing a whole new story;a former client was like seeing an oldfriend.

I just saw Conard’s photo on displayat the Library of Performing Arts in NewYork— in memoriam along with ahandful of other

prominent theatrical figures who hadrecentlypassed away.When I told thelibrarian tochange thespelling fromConrad toConard, areversal ofletters that hewas alwaysbattling, Iswear I saw atwinkle in hiseye. I shallmiss Conardterribly. QuotingRobertBrowning, healways said tome, “the best is yet to be.” Now I’llanswer, quoting George Gershwin,“who could ask for anything more.”

— Nicole Flender���

Having known and worked withConnie Fowkes for so many years,my love and respect just grew witheach encounter and each Equitymeeting. Connie loved language,literature, and liberally tasty theatrehumor. More, as Treasurer of Equity,he attempted to keep the Council andmembership constantly aware of theimportance of our economic viability. I

think that we werefortunate to haveConnie with us forso long. He mademy life better andwiser, and for hispersonal gift offriendship, I shallalways be grateful.

— JeannaBelkin

���

Conard Fowkes:A man of noblespirit, flawless

grammar and disarming humor.With big affection,

— André De Shields

���

It’s difficult to rememberConard Fowkes as anythingother than a hero. His legacy asan advocate for Actors isprofound and far-reaching. Hewas indomitable, whethertestifying before Congress,wrestling with the IRS, orreminding Equity Council of itsfiscal and moralresponsibilities. His sense ofhumor and exquisitearticulation made us all feelsmarter than we probablydeserved. Personally, I stillcan’t believe he was workingon my tax audit whiledealing with his illness up tothe very end. Heencouraged the betterangels of our natures, andI will miss him, comfortedby the certainty that helives on in all of us, whoare better for his touch.

— Francis Jue

If there was a “Lion of the CouncilAward,” Connie would winit. Strong, a real leader, onewho put the betterment ofthe anonymous Actorahead of his own ego. Whata man…we all owe him alot.. He is missed.

— Dev Kennedy

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I’ve known Connie since Ifirst started attendingmeetings at Equity. Hisbooming and authoritativevoice would call from theback of the room, either tocorrect grammar or educateus all on tax law, but always,he spoke with humor andpassion. We will miss him.

— Paige Price

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Conard was a true gentleman. Hewas the consummate union memberwho always acted with clarity,fairness and truth. He will be missedby all, but remembered forever.Thank you, Conard, for your enduringwork on our union and members’behalf.

— Nancy Slusser���

Conard’s leadership, sense ofhumor, generosity of spirit andprofound wisdom all wrapped up in onedivine curmudgeonly package taughtmany of us so much. Generations ofactors to come will never know howmuch his tireless work changed theirlives. But he lives in all of us whoselives he touched…which means he willlive on forever.

— Christine Toy Johnson

REMEMBERING CONARD FOWKES

C onard Fowkes, Equity’s long-time Secretary/Treasurer anda co-founder of the VolunteerIncome Tax Assistance program(VITA), died on December 14, 2009following a long battle with pancreaticcancer. He was 76. Mr. Fowkes was elected to Equity’sCouncil in 1973, and served as theAssociation’s Secretary-Treasurerfrom 1988 until May, 2009. He co-founded VITA in 1977, and in theyears since, has assisted thousandsof AEA members with their incometaxes. In 1986, his advocacy led to thecreation of the Qualified PerformingArtist deduction in the Federal TaxCode.Acting ExecutiveDirector Carol Waasersaid: “We are

tremendously saddenedby the passing of ourdedicated and esteemedcolleague and Councillor,Conard Fowkes… Hiswork has touched thelives of thousands of ourmembers in countlessways. He knew thechallenges that actorsand stage managers faced andworked tirelessly to improve theircircumstances. Conard alwaysbrought wit and charm to our CouncilRoom and will be sorely missed. Wewish to extend our condolences to hisfamily and friends at this difficult time.”In 1958, Mr. Fowkes made hisBroadway debut in Howie and got hisEquity card. He worked in all facets ofthe entertainment industry—theatre,television, film and radio—and was acontract player on eight different soapoperas, including As The World Turns,Search For Tomorrow, and The Edgeof Night, as well as numerousepisodes of the cult series, DarkShadows. Mr. Fowkes’ union service is asextensive as his theatrical biography.During his 36 years on Council, hechaired or served on numerouscommittees, including House Affairs;

LORT; Film, Recording and Pay TV;Investments and the National Plenary.He also served as Treasurer for theActors’ Equity Foundation and Actors’Equity Holding Corporation and was aVice-Chair of the Staff Pension PlanTrustees. He served on the LORTNegotiating Team in 1984, 1985 and1988. He also served on the Boards ofNational AFTRA and its New YorkLocal.In 2009, Mr. Fowkes received thePatrick Quinn Award for DistinguishedService to Actors, which recognizesand rewards those who give ofthemselves to improve the lives ofactors. In her tribute, read at thepresentation, Sandra Karas,Equity’s newly-electedSecretary-Treasurer, said:“What would arguablybecome his most notableand enduring contribution toour Union was the foundingof the Volunteer Income TaxAssistance program—VITA—with Michael Enserroand Schorling Schneider in1977. Of signal importancewas the successfulCongressional lobbyingcampaign in 1986 to include theatricalartists in the Internal Revenue Codefor the first time in its history. Mr.Fowkes was part of Equity’sdelegation, along with representativesfrom SAG and AFTRA, whose effortsresulted in landmark legislation,recognizing our members’ work andcreating a special provision for low-income performers.Mr. Fowkes is survived by his wifeof 52 years, former actress JacquelineHernly; his daughters, Cly, Amy andKatherine; his eight year old grandson,Matteo Neri, and a sister, DianeZellers.

Contributions may be made to theActors’ Equity Foundation, 165 West46th Street, New York, NY 10036.Please indicate that the contribution isfor the VITA program.A memorial service is to beannounced.

Equity Mourns Passing of Conard Fowkes

Conard with his daughters (from l)Cly, Amy and Katherine. Conard and Cody.

Ensign Fowkescirca 1954.

Conard with the VITA volunteers.

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Equity and the Off BroadwayLeague have reached a newthree year agreement, which willextend to the end of October,2012.

Highlights of the agreementinclude:

• A salary increase in the firstand third years, with retroactivityto November 9, 2009.

• Media payment of .5 percentin years one and two and 1.5percent in year three.

• For the first time,replacement auditions arerequired for long running shows.

With the economic downturnimpacting the theatricalcommunity, two significantchanges to the contract weremade in the spirit of addressingthe heavy burden affecting Off-Broadway. Members of the Off-Broadway League may nowproduce shows in the BroadwayBox in Off-Broadway-sizedhouses of 499 seats or lesswithout paying a salary premium.This would not apply to anyproductions that have been onBroadway within six months ofthe Off-Broadway opening. Inaddition, actors who perform inproductions that fall under the Dand E categories in the Off-Broadway agreement may nolonger leave for moreremunerative employment andthen return to the production. Inthe A, B, and C categories,actors may leave for no longerthan two weeks and only then if itis for employment on a Unioncontract.

“Despite the economicchallenges faced by the Off-Broadway community, Equitywas able to achieve anagreement that includesincreased salaries and importantachievements in workingconditions that we have wantedfor some time,” said Rick Berg,Eastern Regional Director andChief Negotiator for the contract.“I applaud the dedication andperseverance of our negotiatingteam for their pursuit of a strongand viable contract for ourmembers who work Off-Broadway.”

There were 6,127 workweeksfor Equity members in the 2008-2009 season, compared to 7,083workweeks in the 2007-2008season. On a weekly average,there were 13 Off-Broadwaycompanies during the 2008-2009and the average weekly salarywas $647.

The Off-Broadway negotiatingteam was chaired by BrianMyers Cooper. Vice Chairs wereThird Vice President Ira Mont,Jeff Williams, Nancy Slusser andNick Wyman. The team includedmembers Linda Cameron, WallyDunn, Jana Llynn, MelissaRobinette, Bernita Robinson,Irma Rogers, Julia BreanettaSimpson, Eastern Regional VicePresident Kate Shindle, RogerPreston Smith and AllysonTucker. In addition to Mr. Berg,staff included Maria Cameron,Michelle Kelts, Frank Stancatiand David Westphal.

By Selena Moshell

When one thinks of Alaska,certain images come to mind:grizzly bears, snow-cappedmountains, salmon spawning,and… a captivated, cultured,appreciative theatre audience?Well, I didn’t imagine that lastone either before our run inAlaska with the GazelleCompany of The Lion King. Butafter six weeks in the GreatWhite North, all of my pre-conceived notions of Alaskawere gone.

Initially, when our touringschedule read “Anchorage,Alaska – September toOctober,” I inwardly groaned.Imagining igloos and ice-fishingcamps littering the horizon, Ididn’t expect to have anything todo beyond exploring the tundrawith typical tourist outfits andonce I had exhausted all of mytouristy options, being bored forthe rest of our run. I alsoexpected the community to belackluster in its support of aBroadway tour. After all, theresidents would all be too busyhunting and fishing, or so Iassumed. Well, I’m relieved tosay that I couldn’t have beenmore wrong.

We arrived and performedour opening week to roaring

crowds, which at first wediscounted as “Opening WeekFever,” when everyone isexcited, no matter the caliber ofthe show. But as week fourapproached and the crowdsswelled in number andexuberance, we knew thatAlaska loved us. In fact, I latermet a local who had seen ourshow no less than four times insix weeks.

As for our free time, therewas no lack of activities tooccupy us. From gorgeousglacier tours, to flight-seeingaround the mountains, to whale-watching cruises, there were toomany breathtaking adventures

to fit into six weeks.Furthermore, there wasn’t anigloo in sight—rather, a cutelittle downtown area completewith a mall filled with all theamenities you could need. (Inother words, it had aNordstrom’s among its manystores. We were set!!)

In all, our time in Alaska wasbeyond our wildestexpectations: fun, exciting andappreciated. The location, thecommunity and theconveniences were well aboveaverage, and I know my fellowcast members and I have manycherished memories of our timein Alaska.

New York

New Off-Broadway Pact IncludesImprovements in Salaries, Working Conditions

Chicago Shakespeare Theaterwelcomed the leadership of someof the United Kingdom’s best-known and most prestigious the-atres and representatives ofChicago’s theatre community at ameet and greet luncheon inChicago Shakespeare’s DressCircle Lobby on December 11,2009. The visit was organized byBritain’s leading cultural advocate,the British Council. Attendeesincluded CST Board members andrepresentatives of Chicago’s cul-ture community, tourism industryand the media.

Following a welcome by CSTArtistic Director Barbara Gainesand Executive Director CrissHenderson, the group wasaddressed by the British Council’sSally Cowling and Chicago Tribunetheatre critic Chris Jones. Theleadership of five elite UK compa-nies: the Royal National Theatre,the Royal Court Theatre, EnglishTouring Theatre, National Theatreof Wales and Chichester FestivalTheatre were there to forge rela-tionships that would open the

doors for increased collaborationand touring opportunities.

Among the Chicago theatresand organizations representedwere The Auditorium Theatre,Steppenwolf, Remy BumppoTheatre, NorthlightTheatre, VictoryGardens Theater,American TheaterCompany, TimelineTheatre, GoodmanTheatre, HarrisTheater, ChicagoDramatists andBroadway inChicago.

Central RegionalDirector Kathryn V. Lamkey, whorepresented Equity, praised theevent, saying: “It is important forEquity to be a part of discus-sions that involve future initia-tives for cultural exchange andcollaboration. We are an integralelement in the facilitation ofsuch relationships. We welcomediscussions that serve our mem-bership and help to enrich theworld theatrical scene.”

Chicago

Chicago, UK Theatres Meet And Greet

The Western Region EqualEmployment OpportunityCommittee is presentingStanding on My Sisters’Shoulders: Celebrating theClassical Works of AfricanAmerican Women Playwrightsfor Black History Month. Theevent will be held on Monday,February 22, 2010 at the state-of-the-art Nate HoldenPerforming Arts Center, home tothe Ebony Repertory TheatreCompany, the only Black Equitytheatre company in SouthernCalifornia. Featured playwrightsinclude Georgia DouglasJohnson, Eulalie Spence, MaritaBonner, Alice Childress, ZoraNeale Hurston and Adrienne

Kennedy.

The Central Region EEOCommittee is presenting Spirit2010: A Celebration of Diversityon Monday, March 15, 2010 at 6p.m. This year’s celebration,once again, will be hosted byChicago’s award-winningGoodman Theatre and willhonor members of color andminority-focused theatres. Co-Chairs Cheryl Lynn Bruce andE. Faye Butler will present the2010 Spirit Award to severalindependent directors that havemade non-traditional casting amajor part of their careers. Formore information, contact LutherGoins, (312) 641-0393 orlgoins@actorsequity.org.

Chicago, Los Angeles

Programs set for Black History MonthAnchorage, Alaska

Not an Igloo in Sight in The Great White North

Chicago

Members DiscussFlying Solo

The Central MembershipEducation Committee hasscheduled a free soloperformance workshop and

seminar, Flying Solo, onSaturday, February 27, 2010from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at TheTheatre Building, 1225 W.Belmont Avenue in Chicago.There will be guest panelists,a Q&A, resource lists anddoor prizes. Expand yourcreative talents with yourfellow artists. For moreinformation:dmdorsey@aol.com.

The Lion King in Alaska: (l to r, back) Michael Henry, MelissaPalmer, Tony Freeman, Christine Horn, Reuven Weizber, JasonVeasey; (middle) Maurica Roland, Jeremy Weatherspoon, AlexLykins, Selena Moshell, Christine Weizber, Susan Dunstan; (front)Eric Hagenbarth, Todd Kunze, Electra Weston.

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The audience leapt to its feetwhen Bernadette Peters andSuperior Donuts’ MichaelMcKean announced that arecord breaking $4,630,695 hadbeen raised by 60 Broadway, Off-Broadway and national touringshows in the six weeks offundraising leading up to the 21stAnnual Gypsy of the YearCompetition.

More history was made whenA Steady Rain – led by starsDaniel Craig and Hugh Jackman– raised the most money of anyshow in the history of the event,collecting $1,549,952! This totalbeats the previous all-timefundraising record of $632,998set in 2003 by Jackman and the

company of The Boy from Oz.Hosted by Julie White /The

Understudy and Broadwaypersonality Seth Rudetsky,audiences at two packedperformances at The PalaceTheatre were treatedto a bevy of talent andshow-stoppingpresentations createdby the casts of 18shows.

Judges awarded“Best Presentation” tothe merry men ofChicago, while castmembers from thecurrent revival of WestSide Story closed theshow and received the

“First Runner-Up” prize. Top Broadway fundraiser,

raising $161,060 was ThePhantom of the Opera. Thecompany of Phantom hasparticipated in every Gypsy ofthe Year Competition since thefirst in 1989. For a complete storyand more pictures go towww.broadwaycares.org.

Central Region DirectorKathryn V. Lamkey, CentralRegion Vice President DevKennedy and/or Regional staffmembers attended membershipmeetings in Milwaukee, NewOrleans, Detroit and St. Louis inNovember 2009.

In Milwaukee, discussion atthe November 9 meetingcentered on the Members’Project Code, which has notbeen used for some time in thatarea. Members thought it wassomething they wanted to knowmore about as it could be usefulin their community.

The meeting in New Orleanson November 14 was the firstsince New Orleans receivedLiaison City designation.Approximately 30 membersattended and all wanted to beinvolved with the LiaisonCommittee. It was noted thatNew Orleans has no geographictheatre district. It was also notedthat there is a great deal of filmactivity in the area, resulting inan increased Screen ActorsGuild membership. NationalEqual Employment OpportunityCoordinator Luther Goins was

commended for his outreachefforts in the area. Mr. Goins saidthat there has been increasedoutreach to Equity from themembers and producers in NewOrleans, adding that “the wordon the street is, ‘just call Equity.’”

In Detroit on December 14,discussion focused on themembers’ need to work togetherand stay motivated during toughtimes. Central Regional VicePresident Dev Kennedyanswered questions, whicheveryone appreciated. Whilethere, Equity Reps were able tosee productions at Detroit Repand The Gem Theatre.

In St. Louis, membersgathered on November 16expressed concern about thelack of local hiring at the largerLORT theatres. Beyond that,however, members were pleasedthat Equity is working to gettheatres using SpecialAppearance contracts to sign onto standard Agreements. Onesuccess in this area is the NewJewish Theatre, which is tobecome a Small ProfessionalTheatre (SPT) in Fall 2010.

Chicago

“Hairspray” isConcerned

The company, of Hairspray,including Central Regional Boardmember E. Faye Butler, at theMarriott Lincolnshire DinnerTheatre raised $11,206 inDecember 2009 for Season ofConcern, the Chicagolandtheatre community’s fundraisingeffort to support the fight againstHIV and AIDS.

Central Region

Staff Attends Meetings in Liaison Cities

New York

Gypsy of the Year Sets a New Record

A cast of 22 in A ChristmasCarol and a cast of one in TheSantaland Diaries joined forcesat Houston’s Alley Theatre andover 32 performances in fourweeks raised more than $50,000for Broadway Cares/EquityFights AIDS. “I’d never done thisbefore,” said Charles Swan,Equity deputy at A ChristmasCarol. “But when the materialsarrived from BC/EFA, I went

around to the cast, gotpermission from managementand got things started. The firstnight was really overwhelming,”he adds.

Meanwhile across the way atThe Alley’s Hugo NeuhausTheatre, Todd Waite faced amore lonely task as a cast ofone. “I wasn’t sure how I wasgoing to pull this off,” said Todd,“but I really wanted to do it.”

Answer: One of the best-keptsecrets in all of New York City.AUDELCO, an acronym forAudience DevelopmentCommittee, is the nation’s fore-most not-for-profit organizationdedicated to recognizing, pro-moting awareness of, and cele-brating excellence in BlackTheatre.

Early in her career as areviewer of theatre for the vener-able Amsterdam News, VivianRobinson—noting the paucity ofBlack theatre in Broadway ven-ues and decrying the meagersize of audiences in attendanceat nontraditional theatres off andoff-off Broadway—-single hand-edly went about resolving the sit-uation.Eventually in 1973, aquartet of determined women—Ms. Robinson, Renée

Chenoweth, Winnie Richardsonand Doris Smith—founded andincorporated the AudienceDevelopment Committee. It wasnot long thereafter that the pio-neering four instituted an awardbearing AUDELCO’s moniker.

After the death in 1997 ofVivian Robinson, the 25th

Anniversary Awards Event fea-tured the renaming of theAUDELCO Award as The Viv inhonor of its founder.

This year marked the 37thAnnual Vivian Robinson/AUDELCO Recognition Awardsfor Excellence in Black Theatre.The highlight of this year’s eventwas the presentation toCouncillor, André De Shields, ofThe Viv for OutstandingPerformance in a Musical/Malefor his title role in the ClassicalTheatre of Harlem’s productionof Archbishop Supreme Tartuffe.

For more details regardingAUDELCO, please go towww.AUDELCO.net. Thanks toGrace Jones, AUDELCO’s cur-rent Executive Director, for herhelp with researching the infor-mation provided in this article.

André De Shields Receives Sixth AUDELCO AwardBut What in the World is AUDELCO?

Dancers Over 40 honoredNicole Barth, Margery Beddow,Marge Champion, Gemze deLappe and Billie Mahoney beforea full house at Swing 46 onDecember 13, 2009. The fivewomen, “whose careers, lives anddeeds have exceededexpectations and whosecontributions to the art of dancehave been considerable,” receivedDO40’s Legacy Award. GuestHostess was Carol Channinga/k/a Richard Skipper.

Video clips from the event are

available atwww.youtube.com/dancersover40and on their Facebook page,Dancers Over 40, along with over60 photos. A video of the Awardswill be donated to the JeromeRobbins Dance Collection atLincoln Center Library for thePerforming Arts.

Sadly, Marge Beddow died onJanuary 3, 2010. A memorialservice is being planned for April.For information, visitwww.margerybeddow.com orwww.dancersover40.com.

New York

Dancers Over 40 Honors FiveNew York

Credit Union SetsAnnual Meeting

The Annual Meeting of ActorsFederal Credit Union will be heldon Friday, March 6, 2010 from3:30 – 5:30 p.m. in the CouncilRoom on the 14th Floor of theEquity Building, 165 West 46thStreet. Included on the agendaare Board and Credit Committeeelections as well as the State ofthe Union address by ActorsFCUPresident Jeff Rodman. Therewill also be refreshments anddoor prizes.

Daniel Craig (l) and Hugh Jackman.(Photo: Peter James Zielinski)

André De Shields and JuliaBreanetta Simpson.

(L to r) Margery Beddow, Marge Champion, Nicole Barth, DO40President John Sefakis, Gemze de Lappe and Billie Mahoney.

Houston

No Scrooge in Texas

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The Central RegionMembership EducationCommittee held a meeting onNovember 9, 2009 entitledMedia, Money and Me—Changes in LORT and CAT.Senior Business Rep ChristineProvost discussed the changesin the new LORT and CATcontracts and provideddocuments outlining thechanges.

Committee Chair ArianeDolan reports: “Of particularinterest to the membersattending were the new Mediacapture rules, which allowproducers much more flexibilityin where, when, and how muchcapture they do. The discussionwas lively, and all agreed that weare traveling through new waterswith media. In the CAT contract,Equity members’ signatures are

no longer required for archivaltaping, and greater flexibility inscheduling of performances hasbeen granted to producers. It isthe advice of the MembershipEducation Committee thatmembers working under thesenew agreements take a look atthe changes before startingrehearsals, and always read yourcontract and rider before yousign them.”

Chicago

Members Discuss Changes in LORT, CAT Contracts

Three acting awards were pre-sented by the Equity Foundationat the Eastern RegionalMembership Meeting on January8, 2010. Foundation PresidentArne Gundersen was on hand totalk about the Foundation, andCouncillor Francis Jue emceedthe presentation.

Joe A. Callaway AwardKate Forbes and John

Douglas Thompson received theJoe A. Callaway Award honoringthe best performance by afemale and male actor in a pro-fessional production of a classicplay (one written prior to 1920) in

the New York metropolitan area.Ms. Forbes was recognized forher performance in the Theatrefor a New Audience production ofOthello. Mr. Thompson was citedfor his performances both inOthello and in the title role of TheEmperor Jones presented by

The Irish Repertory Theatre. Ms. Forbes was unable to

attend the meeting.Nevertheless, Jeffrey Horowitz,Artistic Director of Theatre for aNew Audience, spoke on herbehalf.

Equity Councillor André DeShields presented John DouglasThompson’s award

Bayfield AwardDavid Pittu received the St.

Clair Bayfield Award honoringthe best performance by an actorin a Shakespearean play in theNew York metropolitan area. Hewas recognized for his perform-

ance as theclown, Feste, inthe PublicTheatre’sShakespeare inthe Park produc-tion of TwelfthNight. The awardwas presented byJay O. Sanders.

The awardsinclude crystalplaques and$1,000 checks forall threerecipients.

The Judges Panel includedJoe Dziemianowicz, DailyNews; Adam Feldman, TimeOut NY; Susan Haskins,Theater Talk; Harry Haun,Playbill, Michael Kuchwara,Associated Press, and DavidRosenberg, Back Stage.

New York

Equity Foundation Presents Classic,Shakespeare Awards

This year’s recipient of theLucy Jordan HumanitarianAward is Diane Ronnenberg,wardrobe mistress and dresser.

Members and colleagueshave sung Diane’s praises: “Shetruly goes ‘above and beyond’ intaking care of the performers’needs. She’s more sensitive thanany other dresser I’ve workedwith in terms of how to approachthe performer,” says LewisWilkenfeld, Artistic Director,Cabrillo Music Theatre. “Diane ispatient beyond belief… andcompassionate,” says LiseLange, wardrobe. “She solvesproblems before you even knowthey‘re problems. She’s almostentirely unflappable even in theface of the biggest backstagemeltdown. I remember thinkingthat if they were tasked with thesame job, my own mother orhusband or brother wouldn’thave taken care of me ascompletely, as calmly, ascheerfully, as Diane,” accordingto actor Jill Van Velzer. “Shegoes the extra several milesalways serving the production,selflessly. Diane sets thestandard and helps any theatrewith which she works to brand

themselves with a gold star,”adds Linda Purl, Producer,California International TheatreFestival. And, from actorShannon Warne: “Diane

deserves to be acknowledgedbecause she is an incredible no-nonsense, ultra-organized,professional dresser, with a bigheart and a warm hug.”

Upon learning she hadreceived the Lucy Jordan Award,Diane was surprised andhonored, noting she is just doingher job. “For all these wonderfulpeople I’ve taken care of, it’sbeen a blessing. I’ve thoroughlyenjoyed it, and I hope to do it fora while longer.”

Los Angeles

AEA’s Lucy Jordan Award Goes toDiane Ronnenberg

By Leslie Barrett

For those Equity memberswho have never visited the LillianBooth Actors Home across theriver in Englewood, New Jersey,a visit would surprise and pleaseyou. The Home and the groundshave been beautifully renovated.And if you were to have come onOctober 30, 2009, you wouldhave seen Heather MacRae andher piano accompanist MarkNadler perform.

Before the scheduled time of2 p.m., the residents and patients(many wan, wrinkled, bent andgnarled) rolled into the lounge inwheelchairs, with walkers andwith canes. They were aided bynurses and attendants, allknowing they were in for a treat.Most of them, former actors,singers, musicians, dancers, andyes, even producers of somenote (like Philip Rose), arealways pleased to have one oftheir own, like Heather MacRae,come to entertain. It brings backmemories and relieves theiraging pain and boredom.

[Equity Councillor] MaureenMoore, an actress and singerwho volunteers, arranges tobring them here. The program iscalled In the Spotlight. BelleVener, Maureen’s mother-in-lawwhom she loves and cares for, isat the Home and that loveemanates to all the residents.

At 2 p.m., the stage lights litup and the pianist settled in.Then Heather MacRae in

glorious voice sang songs herfather Gordon sang in his filmmusicals: Oh What a BeautifulMorning, Surrey with the Fringeon Top, Tea for Two, and severalmore. She was so pleased by theresponse coming from her agedaudience, she sang encore afterencore.

There was also an interludewhen the pianist Mark Nadlersang and played a medley ofGershwin tunes.

But the piece de resistancewas having Heather’s elderly,charming mother, SheilaMacRae, and her two brothersjoin in.

It is always a joy to have thevisiting performers spot one inthe audience and stop theperformance to greet the patientthey knew so well from the past.

Assisted bynurses andcaregivers theresidents werereturned to theirrooms, stillglowing from whatthey heard. Suchentertainment is areal joy for thosewho will be herefor the rest of theirlives.

So when theseperformers cameand were followeda few weeks laterby Victor Garber,as a guest ofJohn Erman who

every month brings stellarperformers from stage andscreen to the Home, all theresidents were mostappreciative. Victor is starring onBroadway in Present Laughter.He also charmed and sang forthe assembled residents.

It is a treat to have today’stalented performers share withthe talented from years past, nowliving in the care of The ActorsFund Home.In the Spotlight brings

pleasure to those who all toooften believe they are lost andforgotten. Maybe by family andfriends of yore, but not by theirpeers in the present.

(Equity member Leslie Barrettis in Assisted Living. His wife,Ruth Livingston, is in theEnhanced Unit.)

New York

“In the Spotlight” Brings Joy to Residents of Actors Fund Home

Tax HelpAvailable

In New York, the VolunteerIncome Tax Assistance (VITA)office is open from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.on Mondays, Wednesdays,Thursdays and Fridays—neveron Tuesdays. The office is on the14th Floor of the Equity Building,165 West 46th Street. You mustcome in person and show yourpaid-up union card in order toreceive a packet of worksheetsand make an appointment.Worksheets must be completedbefore your appointment. Walk-ins will be seen on a first-come,first-served basis provided work-sheets have been completed.

Due to changes in regulations,the IRS-sponsored VITA programwill not be offered in LosAngeles this year. However,SAG’s Tax Assistance ProgramCommittee will offer some assis-tance (similar to that offered inprevious years) through thePacket Workshop (dates, timesand location to be determined)and the Tax Helpdesk, which canbe reached at (323) 549-6666.Packets can be picked up in theKathleen Freeman ConferenceRoom, inside the CommitteeOffice on the first floor of theMuseum Square Building, 5757Wilshire Boulevard.

In Orlando, appointments willbe scheduled in mid-February.Call the Equity Orlando office,

(407) 345-1522 for more informa-tion.

In Seattle, VITA will be openby appointment on Saturdaysfrom March 13 through April 10,2010 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. atTheatre Puget Sound, 305Harrison Street on the fourth floorof the Seattle Center House. Thesite will also be open Mondayevenings from 6-10 p.m. fromMarch 15 through April 12 and onthe 13th through 15th by appoint-ment at the AFTRA Seattle office,123 Boylston Avenue East, SuiteA. Appointments may be sched-uled beginning February 27. Tomake an appointment, call VITASite Coordinator Chris Comte at(206) 459-2793 or emailccomte@aftra.com.

(L to r) Jay O. Sanders, David Pittu, ArneGundersen and Francis Jue at the Callawayand Bayfield Award presentation.

Sheila and Heather MacRae.

Shannon Warne (l) congratulatesDiane Ronnenberg.

Physical Therapy andChiropractic Benefits

Arecent studycommissioned by theEquity-League Health

Fund Trustees has shown ahigher than average utilizationby Fund participants of certainPhysical Therapy andChiropractic services, especiallyby out-of-network providers.This has led to costs to theFund that are much higher thanfor most health plans. Inresponse, the Trustees havetaken the following steps,effective January 1, 2010:

1. The Trustees haverequested that CIGNA makevigorous efforts to recruit morePhysical Therapy andChiropractic providers into theirnetwork, particularly theproviders who treat a highvolume of Equity-League Fundparticipants. At the same time,the Fund is asking participantscurrently using out-of-networkproviders, to ask thoseproviders to consider joining theCIGNA network.

2. The Trustees also havereduced co-pays for in-networkPhysical Therapy andChiropractic providers from $25to $15 in order to encouragemembers to use in-networkbenefits.

3. Finally, a $4,000 combinedcalendar year annual cap(January through December ofeach year) has been placed oncertain Chiropractic andPhysical Therapy treatments inorder to limit costs to the plan.However, if participants havesuffered a severe injury or havea severe illness and areparticipating in CIGNA’s CaseManagement program (aservice that assists individualswith treatment needs beyondthe acute care/hospital setting),benefits above $4,000 may beauthorized by CIGNA as part ofan approved treatment.

For questions or furtherinformation, visit the website:health.equityleague.org or inNew York, call (212) 869-9380or outside of New York, (800)344-5220.

Prescription Drug Plan

The study also identifiedanother area of concern—thelack of use by Fund participantsof CIGNA’s Tel-Drug HomeDelivery Pharmacy, the mailorder service for prescriptionsfor maintenance drugs.

Therefore, effective January1, 2010, the use of the CIGNATel-Drug Mail Order Service formaintenance drugs will berequired after a prescription hasbeen filled twice at a local retailpharmacy in 2010. If you chooseto fill your prescription for suchdrugs at a retail pharmacy afterthe first two fills, you will berequired to pay the full price (theprescription will not be coveredby the Plan) and you will notreceive any discounts offered byCIGNA under the Health Fund.However, for drugs that arenewly prescribed to you, or forsituations in which a new doseof a drug you have been takingis ordered by your physician, itis recommended that yousecure your first 30-day supplyat a retail pharmacy. This helpsto assure that the drug iseffective and does not generateserious side effects before youbegin to take it on a long-termbasis.

Prescription drugs from theCIGNA Tel-Drug Home DeliveryPharmacy may be ordered bytelephone at (800) 285-4812 orby mail at CIGNA Tel-DrugHome Delivery Pharmacy, POBox 1019, Horsham, PA 19044.

It should be noted thatCIGNA’s Mail Order Service candeliver drugs almost anywhere,including hotels and theatres, atno additional charge for astandard delivery. In addition,the address to which drugs are

sent can be easily changedmany times per year, withoutany change being made to yourpermanent address, making itconvenient to use the mail orderservice even if you are workingout-of-town or on the road.

For questions regarding theCIGNA Mandatory Drugprogram, you can contactCIGNA Tel-Drug Home DeliveryPharmacy Service directly at(800) 835-3784, or call theHealth Department at the Fundoffice: in New York (212) 869-9380 or outside of New York,(800) 344-5220.

88 // EEQQUUIITTYYnews JJAANNUUAARRYY//FFEEBBRRUUAARRYY 22001100

The New York StateDepartment of Labor (DOL) hasannounced that claimants whoare receiving NYS UnemploymentInsurance benefits can nowvoluntarily elect to have stateincome tax withheld from theirbenefit checks. Previously onlyfederal income taxes couldvoluntarily be withheld.

For more information,visit www.labor.state.ny.us/ui/claimantinfo/

onceyouhaveappliedfaq.shtmor call the NYS UnemploymentInsurance Telephone ClaimsCenter, (888) 209-8124.

For more information aboutUnemployment Insurancebenefits, call AEA BusinessRepresentative Valerie LaVarcoat (212) 869-8530 x 327. Taxassistance can be obtainedfrom the Volunteer Income TaxAssistance (VITA) office, (212)921-2548.

New York State

Taxes May Be Withheld FromUnemployment Benefits

The Eastern EqualEmployment OpportunityCommittee presented thesecond “ExtraordinaryExcellence in Diversity onBroadway Award” to Billy Elliot,The Musical on December 10 atthe Eastern Regional Boardmeeting. The production washonored for its multi-ethniccasting of the role of Billy.

Eastern EEO Co-ChairsChristine Toy Johnson and JuliaBreanetta Simpson presented

the crystal plaque award to BillyElliot General Manager NinaLannan.

New York

“Billy Elliot” Receives EEOCDiversity Award

Changes in Health CoverageEffective January 1, 2010

CorrectionP&H CostOverstated

In the December issue ofEquity News (page 6) in anarticle on administrative costcontainment initiativesadopted by the Equity-League Pension & HealthTrust Fund, it waserroneously reported that theFund’s leasing agreementwith Standard Data (SDC),“which costs approximately$750,000 per year” fortechnological services wasbeing severed. In fact, theannual cost of the SDCsystem to the Fund isactually around $400,000 peryear.

Nevertheless, followingextensive research andinterviews, a new “state-ofthe-art” system has beenpurchased fromComprehensive ConsultingSolutions (CCS). This willprovide technologicalcapability to the Fund at evenconsiderably lower cost thanthe actual SDC figure. It ishoped that this newtechnology system will befully implemented in themiddle of 2010.

In 2003, Equity became thefirst actors’ entertainmentunion to offer online voting.

This option has been tested andproven in six national electionsand will again be offered in theupcoming 2010 Councilelections.

Why vote electronically? Ifyou’re working out-of-town or onthe road, you won’t have to waitfor a snail-mail ballot. It’s fast,easy and secure — saving youtime and Equity money. Here’s how it works: Go to

AEA’s homepageactorsequity.org and click onthe E-Voting link. After you havepre-registered, you will notreceive a paper ballot in April.Instead, you’ll receive an emailfrom Election ServicesCorporation (AEA’s electionfirm) with a unique log-on andinstructions for e-balloting. Thee-ballot website will have thecandidates’ statements andphotos - the same informationthat you’ll receive in your EquityNews.

Parents PostArticles onEquityWebsite

The Equity Parents’Committee is providingregular articles on

subjects of interest to parentsfor publication in Equity Newsand posting on the Equitywebsite—www.actorsequity.org.Due to space constraints,however, it may not always bepossible to include the articlesin the News or the articles mayhave to be edited and shortenedfor publication. The full articleswill continue to appear on thewebsite.

Office ClosingAll Equity offices

will be closed on

Monday, February 15,

2010 in observation of

Presidents Day.

Go Green!Pre-Register Now forOnline Voting

Trent Kowalik, Liam Redheadand Alex Ko.

Alive and WellThe In Memoriam listing in

the October/November 2009issue of Equity News includedthe name of Equity member BillGrey. This has caused someconfusion as another member,William Daniel Grey, sometimesknown as Bill Grey, wantsfriends to know he is very muchalive and well.

the Stratford Festival, where heplayed many leading rolesduring an association of half acentury with the company. Ofparticular note was hisportrayal of Falstaff...

Douglas and my father, JohnBarnes, co-directed severalfilms. Consequently he wasalways a presence in my life.He attended one of my firstperformances, in an originalpiece called The Ghoul. I wasseven or eight. Douglas said itwas ghastly. I saw him playDysart when I was twelve.After, we were lucky enough togo to Sardi’s with him. I smartlytold him he was very good. Hesaid, “I know.” While a collegestudent, I spent a week at his

home in Stratford during thesummer season. It was my firstexposure to the world of aprofessional theatre company.Douglas was astounding inpitch perfect performances ofArms and the Man and TheMerry Wives of Windsor...

But the day did come thatwe shared a stage, performingat the Bristol Riverside Theaterin Pennsylvania, which becamean artistic home for him in thelast decade. The play wasinspired by Dickens’ ChristmasCarol. In rehearsals Douglaswould give me suggestionsabout business to try. Iattempted everything heoffered. Not for him the notionthat actors should not suggestthings to each other. Sevendecades of a craft developed inthe company of Sybil

Thorndike, Lewis Casson andTyrone Guthrie was beingpassed on to those of us luckyenough to be in therehearsals…

Many times in a company ofactors I would find someoneelse who had worked with him,or knew someone who had. Allrecognized in him the uniquequalities of an iconoclasticmind, an artist whose craftmatched his poetic insight, anda man fiercely devoted to thevalue of theatre—not forpersonal gain, but for thenurturing of community. Henever stopped mentoring orsharing his knowledge withothers. At eighty-seven, he stillhad much too much more workto do, and he will be missed.

Ezra BarnesBrooklyn, NY

Letterscontinued from page 2