Contributed by Tracey Paleo, Gia On The Move
LOS ANGELES (April 25, 2023) — The SB1116 California Coalition, whose efforts led to the passage and signing of California’s Equitable Payroll Fund, was honored with two main awards in April: The Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle named the coalition winner of the 2023 Gordon Davidson Award for distinguished contribution to the Los Angeles theatrical group, whereas Stage Raw bestowed its prestigious “Queen of the Angels” award upon the group.
Authored and carried by California State Senator Anthony Portantino (D–Burbank), the Equitable Payroll Fund is a grant program designed to help small nonprofit performing arts organizations and staff by offering reimbursements of payroll bills.
The coalition is led by Open Fist Theatre Company creative director Martha Demson; Ophelia’s Jump producing creative director Beatrice Casagran; Casa0101 govt director Emmanuel Deleage; Center Stage Theater govt director Teri Ball; Celebration Theatre govt director Chris Maikish; actor/activist Leo Marks; actor, singer, musician and stunt performer Marc Antonio Pritchett; Rogue Machine affiliate creative director Elina de Santos; and author, producer and actor Vanessa Stewart.
“We are extremely honored to be recognized by both the LADCC and Stage Raw, but our work has just begun,” says Demson. “Although the law was passed in 2022, the program remains unfunded in the most recent budget. At a time when small nonprofit performing arts organizations continue to shutter their doors at an alarming rate, we hope our state legislators and Governor Newsom will invest in the Equitable Payroll Fund to restore California jobs and revitalize our communities and local economies.”
Leaders of the Theatre Producers of Southern California, often known as TPSCA, and Actors’ Equity Association, the labor union representing American actors and stage managers within the theater, joined forces in January to sponsor a rally, dubbed “Catch Up, California,” in an try to safe funding for the groundbreaking invoice.
Currently, California’s arts funding is lower than a 3rd of New York’s, and fewer than a sixth of Minnesota’s—at the same time as nonprofit arts generate billions of financial exercise within the state. A latest wave of closures of small nonprofit performing arts venues statewide has put the well being of the sector in jeopardy.
Photo supplied by the SB1116 California Coalition: Catch-Up California Rally.