A Rock and a Hard Place
Well, that's a sudden change of plans for the summer.
Initially this current season's letter of agreement had me in a lay-off for six weeks this summer. The date was likely to change. And at the time I was lead to believe that change would be a week...two weeks tops.
So with that six week gap in mind I plowed forward with plans at another theater. Many people were happy at the thought of me returning.
Now it appears, that return won't happen anymore, despite the contract that had been signed, sealed and delivered.
Though the new season has yet to be announced, my boss has enough information about the first shows to start specualtions on the build. Turns out the shop will need to be back in full swing a full THREE WEEKS earlier than we were orginally contracted. I can't scoff at the extra work. But what is frustrating is the amount of communication I had with my boss prior to signing an agreement with the other theater. And the sudden change in what we had initially discussed as my earliest return date. I never would have ventured to look for summer employment had I known I'd only be looking for three weeks.
In the end it boils down to where my priorities lie...with the theater that is my bread and butter...or the six week gig that fills the gap. There was very little room for negotiation. And while I doubt I've truly burned a bridge with the summer theater, I feel as though I betrayed them. I feel very strongly that they are an extension of family. The manager there gets it...he knows the job I have trumps any short term offer I could get. But he too has to look out for the best interest of his theater. And I am no longer in their best interest.
It broke my heart.
The thing that really kills me is that one of my co-workers from the summer theater is currently overhire under me in here. He was privy to the news of the schedule change shortly after I received it. You would have thought I killed his puppy for the look he gave me.
I hate being stuck like a pebble between a rock and boulder.
Initially this current season's letter of agreement had me in a lay-off for six weeks this summer. The date was likely to change. And at the time I was lead to believe that change would be a week...two weeks tops.
So with that six week gap in mind I plowed forward with plans at another theater. Many people were happy at the thought of me returning.
Now it appears, that return won't happen anymore, despite the contract that had been signed, sealed and delivered.
Though the new season has yet to be announced, my boss has enough information about the first shows to start specualtions on the build. Turns out the shop will need to be back in full swing a full THREE WEEKS earlier than we were orginally contracted. I can't scoff at the extra work. But what is frustrating is the amount of communication I had with my boss prior to signing an agreement with the other theater. And the sudden change in what we had initially discussed as my earliest return date. I never would have ventured to look for summer employment had I known I'd only be looking for three weeks.
In the end it boils down to where my priorities lie...with the theater that is my bread and butter...or the six week gig that fills the gap. There was very little room for negotiation. And while I doubt I've truly burned a bridge with the summer theater, I feel as though I betrayed them. I feel very strongly that they are an extension of family. The manager there gets it...he knows the job I have trumps any short term offer I could get. But he too has to look out for the best interest of his theater. And I am no longer in their best interest.
It broke my heart.
The thing that really kills me is that one of my co-workers from the summer theater is currently overhire under me in here. He was privy to the news of the schedule change shortly after I received it. You would have thought I killed his puppy for the look he gave me.
I hate being stuck like a pebble between a rock and boulder.
posted by Unknown at
8:54 PM
1 Comments:
Baroow. I'm sorry that you're missing out on six weeks at APT...I know how working in a familiar theater is like putting on old clothes...comfortable and recharging. Just because a decision is "obvious" doesn't make it any easier.
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