TODD BUONOPANE for EQUITY EASTERN REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT

Let’s be honest: Our council is broken. We do not trust each other. So much time is wasted questioning the intention and character of other council members. I’m not sure how we got here, but it’s time to make it stop.

And that is why I am running for Eastern Regional Vice President. In my seven years on Council, I have become known as the person that unites. When things get tense, I am skilled at turning down the temperature. (Don’t get me wrong, we should be having passionate debates; Our choices greatly affect the lives of all Equity members.) As Eastern VP, I believe I can set a tone that will help our governance be more productive for all members.

Most of our membership is not rich and famous. Like most Equity stage managers and actors, I have had a varied career. I’ve worked contracts from Broadway to Theatre for Young Audiences. I’ve toured, I’ve done stock and I’ve used our Business Theatre MOU to get that much needed last health week. Through my stage work, concert work, tv/film work and teaching, I cobble together a living. I’ll be an Eastern VP that understands how hard a career in our field is. (Especially since the pandemic.) I’ll be an Eastern VP that understands that our membership contains multitudes. The needs of NYC members differ from the needs of South Florida members. The needs of Boston area members differ from the needs of Atlanta members and so on and so on. I will be an Eastern VP that listens and really hears members.

A few other ideas:

  • ORGANIZING - It is wonderful that Equity has been organizing strippers and docents, BUT these are not jobs that our dues paying members do. Equity can’t create jobs, but it can work harder to organize more work in the theatre!

  • NEGOTIATING - I’ve negotiated Broadway, Touring and City Center Encores contracts. We must always be adapting and improving our processes.

        • SURVEYS - We must create better surveys and we must get more members to take the surveys. The surveys help the negotiating team to establish negotiating priorities. Too often these surveys fail us. We can do better!

        • ACTION TEAMS - If we are going to use Action Teams (and I think we should), we must involve them from the beginning. The negotiating teams and the action teams must work in tandem.

        • PRIORITIES - We must figure out what members need the most. Let’s ask for 5-10 most important things as opposed to 50 things. (And we must start prioritizing the chorus!)

  • UNION RELATIONS - We must improve our relationships with sister unions

        • SAG-AFTRA - We should not be fighting with the other union for actors. We should be working hand in hand with them. (And Equity should have had a stronger presence on the SAG-AFTRA picket line.)

        • IATSE, AFM, ATPAM - We must improve our relations with the other unions that work in the theatre. With a united theatre labor force, we’d be unstoppable!

This statement is already too long…BUT, I would be so honored to serve as Eastern Vice President. I will fight for you. I will listen to you. I will change minds. I will change my mind when that is needed. Thank you for reading this. Please vote and please encourage other members to vote. In Solidarity!

CONTRACTS WORKED

Production/Broadway, Touring/SETA, Development Agreement, LORT, COST, CORST, Business Theatre, SPT, City Center Encores, MSUA, ANTC, Casino, TYA, WCLO, Cabaret

COUNCIL ACHIEVEMENTS

NEGOTIATIONS -

    • Served on multiple negotiating teams for Broadway/Production, SETA/Touring & City Center Encores

COMMITTEE CHAIR POSITIONS

      • Chair the newly formed Touring Committee

      • Created and Chair the In Memoriam group that honors the passing of fellow Equity Members

      • Vice-Chair of the Eastern Independent Theatre Committee

      • Chair of the former Casino Committee

CONTACT TODD

Reach out with any questions or comments at Todd4EVP@gmail.com.