Demeaning remarks by owners

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Permalink Reply by Bansheette Morningstar on April 13, 2009 at 8:45am

Can you give us a little more information on the scenario? Was this an owner saying this to an actor?

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Permalink Reply by Allen Erkfitz on April 13, 2009 at 9:14am

This was said during a casual pre show chat's.to an actor/ zone leader;at this point the other partner changes the subject and chat is ended.

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Permalink Reply by sc0rp on April 13, 2009 at 5:03pm

I can say "goodbye" in about 10 more languages/dialects than I actually speak, so I think I'd first run down that polyglottal list, then suit the action to the word(s)...
...a lot, like the timing between those two steps, would depend upon the context.

If I got told that in April they'd be like, consecutive-- if not downright concurrent.

If I got told that in October on a Friday/Saturday evening with paying pigeons present, step 1 would be instant and step 2 would occur at closing that same night.

All other times, somewhere in between. If it's not fun, get the |-|311 out.

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Permalink Reply by Bansheette Morningstar on April 13, 2009 at 8:07pm

I would talk to the owner to discuss the comment and how it upset you. However, if you would rather not deal with that and are fine with leaving that haunt, I would try to find a new haunt home. I'm sure there are other haunts near you that would appreciate your contributions.

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Permalink Reply by SpFxWmn on April 14, 2009 at 10:11am

You should have at least one person of authority that you can turn to and who will protect your rights as well. Is there an actor manager or stage manager? They should be the advocate for the actors.

Your other option, is to talk with the partner who changed the subject. They obviously realized this was not a good conversation if they changed the subject. If this is not someone you can go to as well, and/or if there is no one you feel comfortable going to for a situation like this, I would consider leaving the haunt.

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Permalink Reply by Keith "Zomketh" Newsome on April 16, 2009 at 5:27pm

My question would be, why would he say that in the first place?? Regardless of what might have happened.. That person either does not understand how to talk to people or for that matter run a haunt... I would be finding someplace else... reason being, he has already said it and if it was heard by others, then that is just a stain on you that can't be washed away unless they know him to be a jerk... besides that... totally unprofessional.

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Permalink Reply by Bansheette Morningstar on April 17, 2009 at 4:44pm

Agreed. We might be in the industry of being disgusting, but that is no excuse for the unprofessional comment.

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Permalink Reply by Randy Lay on April 27, 2009 at 10:32pm

This is an easy one. Just say goodbye.

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Permalink Reply by lance oxyer on May 5, 2009 at 9:32pm

I WOULD LEAVE ,AND NEVER LOOK BACK , AND LET EVERYONE KNOW WAT THEY SAID, REMEMBER THE ACTOR MAKES THE HOUSE NOT THE OUNER,,,,I WOULD TELL ANYONE WHO WOULD LISTEN,, GET THE WORD OUT

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Permalink Reply by McZomburger on May 6, 2009 at 2:07pm

Legally- this could be considered a 'Hostile Work Environment' and it could be pursued as such with a lawyer or even approaching your local state agencies. Also- was this done in front of others besides the other partner? Sometimes its easier to walk away and other times the best is to make sure the guilty party knows that what they did is not considered legal. Of course you need witnesses or other 'victims' or it becomes a matter of 'who said what' or if you don't work there anymore they may say you are just a disgruntled employee. You might even want to give the guilty party the benefit of the doubt and go to that person and ask what they meant by the comments. 9 times out of 10 you will probably get an apology and an explanation of how they were having a bad day etc. Which btw doesnt excuse the comments but will probably stop them from happening again.

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