Waiting for the Dough
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A year ago Splinter cast 18 actors in The Investigation, to be presented that April and May to school groups and the general public. According to Gary Alexander, a member of the cast who took a lead role in helping everyone get paid, each actor got a contract that spelled out the basic terms of employment. Among other things, it stipulated that the actors would be paid $40 for each of seven student performances plus a $100 lump sum for several weeks of public shows, for a total of $380 per actor. But the contract apparently included no clause indicating when the fees would be paid. That omission was brought to the attention of Splinter artistic director Matt O’Brien, and he agreed to add a rider stating that the actors would receive their fees by June 2, 1995. Thinking everything was now clear, the actors went about their work.
According to Alexander, some actors picked up their checks on payday, while others had asked that they be mailed. But several actors who picked up checks saw them quickly bounce, and some actors who’d expected them in the mail never got them. Alexander says at least six actors, himself included, had received no money or only a partial payment as of late June.
“My job has been to create a large, stable organization,” he added. He said Splinter’s board of directors had been expanded and an advisory board had been formed. Chris Persons, one of the new board members, said the goal of the Beckett festival was “to take the group to the next level. The Beckett festival is exciting–it’s big.” He brushed off concerns about Splinter’s ability to handle such an ambitious event. “I’m not sure how good the company was at managing things ten months ago, but Splinter is in good shape now.” Soon after I ended my conversation with Rosenbush the last three actors got calls from him saying their checks were on the way.
