Equiflash Archive

Equity is pleased to announce the delivery of an updated Dance·Opera·Theatre Policy (D·O·T). New material terms for the small-scale engagement policy are in effect immediately, to be reviewed again as of January 5, 2025.

"The popularity and success of the D·O·T is a testament to the creative diligence of our small-scale engagers in finding ways to hire our members. The changes are the result of collaboration with our members in identifying their evolving needs," says Equity Executive Director, Arden R. Ryshpan. “It’s important that we continue to modernize Equity’s engagement policies, ensuring members can work on these valuable projects in a safe, respectful, and rewarding way.”

Updated provisions under the D·O·T Policy include:

• A 1% increase to all fees and monetary amounts
• An increase to the compensation required for additional duties from 5% to 10% of the weekly fee and clarity regarding what constitutes additional duties
• Addition of language and provisions governing nudity and acts of intimacy, and the inclusion of provisions for the engagement of Intimacy Directors
• Inclusion of language about binding offers
• Improvements in the requirements for detailed pay stubs
• Improvements to the language about auditions
• The requirement for Engagers to have their own harassment/respectful workplace policy and the requirement for that policy to be filed with Equity and provided to all Artists engaged under the Policy
• The addition of language about culturally safe spaces
• Addition of language with regard to professionalism
• Inclusion of provisions for the engagement of children
• Inclusion of language for overtime and statutory holidays for stage management artists engaged as employees and kit rental for stage management artists

An updated copy of the Dance·Opera·Theatre Policy is available online and we encourage everyone, members and engagers alike, to read the D·O·T thoroughly prior to commencing production. For more information on the D·O·T, please contact Ruth Leggett, Business Representative Manager - Ballet & Opera Agreements/Engagement Policies.