Baragining chips
I want to thank all of my loyal readers for their support poured out of yesterday's news. I'm sorry it I raised many hopes that I would be returning. The job offer, while very real, has taken on more of a symbolic meaning than a literal choice. I am unlikely to take BTF up on their offer.
Financially it's six of one, half dozen of the other. I'd make more in MA, but over a shorter period of time, with longer hours and a much higher stress level. They would give me housing, but I'd still be paying rent here. And I have health insurance here; only worker's comp there. And no car. In the middle of the Berkshires. That is forgivable if I only needed a car for personal use...rides are easy enough to find. But if I were to take on the shop manager position I would need a car for work at my disposal. The nearest shopping in a good 30 minutes away. And you can't always depend on the designers to get it all done themselves.
The main reason I am hesitant to take the offer is the stress level. I would literal leave Honolulu on the 30th, with most of one day to recover only to start work the morning of the 1st. And jumping into a shop that's already been running without a supervisor for a few weeks.
But the bigger stress is that of my age. I would be respected by the staff and designers without a doubt. I already know most of them. It is the actors, particularly the straight, middle-age men that are the problem. For some reason they think a shop full of young women should kiss the ground they walk on. That their acting prowess somehow sways us to swooning. Our shop manager last year had her hands full with a few of them herself and she was an experienced battle ax. I cringed at times under their lewd comments and glances just in the few fittings I was required at as a draper. And I am by no means a modest person. If Cindy could not get respect from them as a theatre professional in her 50's they sure as hell aren't going to respect some 20 something spitfire. I've no patience for that.
My return wouldn't be to network, as these are already solid contacts I have made. But it is an honor just to be asked. To say one managed the shop at one of the U.S.'s premiere summer theatre festivals opens the door to a lot of other well paying possibilities. People recognize that theatre's name.
But no, I won't be adding that title to my resume. However, just by offering the position, the production manager there gave me a huge baragining chip. Other better known theatres are inquiring about me...and this theatre better damn well know about it so they fight all the harder to keep me. I will not let them take me, my degree, or my talents for granted.
I forwarded the email I received outlining the offer to my immediate boss, as well as the artistic director and managing director. Tomorrow, on paper I will have a new letter of commitment covering June 1, 2008 through May 31, 2009. And in that letter is the new pay scale. It ain't much more, but it's a start.
Financially it's six of one, half dozen of the other. I'd make more in MA, but over a shorter period of time, with longer hours and a much higher stress level. They would give me housing, but I'd still be paying rent here. And I have health insurance here; only worker's comp there. And no car. In the middle of the Berkshires. That is forgivable if I only needed a car for personal use...rides are easy enough to find. But if I were to take on the shop manager position I would need a car for work at my disposal. The nearest shopping in a good 30 minutes away. And you can't always depend on the designers to get it all done themselves.
The main reason I am hesitant to take the offer is the stress level. I would literal leave Honolulu on the 30th, with most of one day to recover only to start work the morning of the 1st. And jumping into a shop that's already been running without a supervisor for a few weeks.
But the bigger stress is that of my age. I would be respected by the staff and designers without a doubt. I already know most of them. It is the actors, particularly the straight, middle-age men that are the problem. For some reason they think a shop full of young women should kiss the ground they walk on. That their acting prowess somehow sways us to swooning. Our shop manager last year had her hands full with a few of them herself and she was an experienced battle ax. I cringed at times under their lewd comments and glances just in the few fittings I was required at as a draper. And I am by no means a modest person. If Cindy could not get respect from them as a theatre professional in her 50's they sure as hell aren't going to respect some 20 something spitfire. I've no patience for that.
My return wouldn't be to network, as these are already solid contacts I have made. But it is an honor just to be asked. To say one managed the shop at one of the U.S.'s premiere summer theatre festivals opens the door to a lot of other well paying possibilities. People recognize that theatre's name.
But no, I won't be adding that title to my resume. However, just by offering the position, the production manager there gave me a huge baragining chip. Other better known theatres are inquiring about me...and this theatre better damn well know about it so they fight all the harder to keep me. I will not let them take me, my degree, or my talents for granted.
I forwarded the email I received outlining the offer to my immediate boss, as well as the artistic director and managing director. Tomorrow, on paper I will have a new letter of commitment covering June 1, 2008 through May 31, 2009. And in that letter is the new pay scale. It ain't much more, but it's a start.
posted by Unknown at
7:15 PM
3 Comments:
Congrats Sam!! I'm glad that you were able to bargin to get a better deal.
Good for you! And isn't it too often that straight, middle aged men are the problem with the world... I'll even throw White in there for luck too because it's too true! Once again good for you and congrats. I'm glad you know how much your worth and are not going to throw yourself into stressful situations for the sake of an impressive title. You're much better than that!
Sad panda is not too sad she'll have to visit Sam in Hawaii... :)
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