A Vacation? What's That?

What’s a vacation? For most people in the work force, this question seems like a no-brainer. It’s that two weeks off a year where you go to a desirable destination, have lots of fun and spend your discretionary dollars; but, this very same question started a debate backstage at “Evita” last week. A couple of fellow actors and I discussed what “taking a vacation” means to us while we are in a job where travel is a constant factor.

Under my current contract (in which my union agreed to several concessions), I don’t accrue paid vacation days... or “paid” sick days. I earn one sick day for every 30 days of employment, but unlike all other “Equity” contracts, I don’t get the cash equivalent at the end of the tour. If I don’t use the days, there is no satisfaction other than my own pride at not missing. Getting paid for unused sick days has always been viewed as an extra incentive to touring actors, a reward for attendance (where there are only two people to cover if anyone is out sick or injured), thus protecting the show.

There are plenty of layoff weeks permitted in this special agreement between my employer and the union. I have the opportunity for time away from the show this summer, where in one stretch we have six of nine weeks off. I get the time for a vacation, but layoff weeks are unpaid. I get absolutely no money (I can file for unemployment but that takes time to get going) during that time off from the producers of my show, but I am under contract and cannot accept other work that would interfere with my commitment to “Evita”. I fear that we will lose a lot of actors this summer because of so many open weeks. It could damage our wonderful product.

In contrast, many of my peers are thrilled with the weeks off. Husbands, wives and spouses of all persuasions are thrilled to have their loved ones home. However, the people with such a support system are also not the ones who, for the most part, have to worry about financial commitments. My bills are still going to be there, whether I’m on “vacation” or not. The three weeks this summer that are booked in and around the six weeks off are San Diego, Memphis and Atlanta; after the final three-week layoff we play Montreal. With the exception of Memphis, I’d consider any of these places a vacation destination. Fortunately, I’ll be paid to be in these cities; but being there won’t be vacation, it will be work.

But the question remains... since I’ve been traveling for several months to mostly terrific cities, does “taking a vacation” mean going home and cocooning with my family? Not traveling except to the grocery store? Is it picking a city which is not on the “Evita” itinerary and visiting with friends? Is it being one of the actors using the lay offs to look for the next gig?

Is it a vacation when you have to worry and stress over every dollar you spend? Should I throw caution to the wind, call up a friend and say, “Pack your bags, we’re off to.....”, charge the experience and go for the gusto of immediate gratification?

My work is most peoples’ play and no vacation:) When I’m in exciting cities like San Francisco, Chicago, Boston and Toronto, I try to make time for sightseeing and fun, but the work schedule dominates. I like having a good time, seeing friends, enjoying my work, but it is not a vacation. It’s part of my job. I would rate travel, particularly in a group, as the most stressful component of my job, other than being healthy enough to sing a difficult score eight shows a week.

As many folks as I’ve asked back stage, I’ve gotten that many answers to the question, “What is a vacation”? So, I’ll toss out the question to my live journal friends. What does taking a vacation mean to you? If you're in a non-tradtional job or career, what do you do with vacation time? I’m open to suggestions, alternate definitions, new experiences... and fun!

A Vacation? What's That?

What’s a vacation? For most people in the work force, this question seems like a no-brainer. It’s that two weeks off a year where you go to a desirable destination, have lots of fun and spend your discretionary dollars; but, this very same question started a debate backstage at “Evita” last week. A couple of fellow actors and I discussed what “taking a vacation” means to us while we are in a job where travel is a constant factor.

Under my current contract (in which my union agreed to several concessions), I don’t accrue paid vacation days... or “paid” sick days. I earn one sick day for every 30 days of employment, but unlike all other “Equity” contracts, I don’t get the cash equivalent at the end of the tour. If I don’t use the days, there is no satisfaction other than my own pride at not missing. Getting paid for unused sick days has always been viewed as an extra incentive to touring actors, a reward for attendance (where there are only two people to cover if anyone is out sick or injured), thus protecting the show.

There are plenty of layoff weeks permitted in this special agreement between my employer and the union. I have the opportunity for time away from the show this summer, where in one stretch we have six of nine weeks off. I get the time for a vacation, but layoff weeks are unpaid. I get absolutely no money (I can file for unemployment but that takes time to get going) during that time off from the producers of my show, but I am under contract and cannot accept other work that would interfere with my commitment to “Evita”. I fear that we will lose a lot of actors this summer because of so many open weeks. It could damage our wonderful product.

In contrast, many of my peers are thrilled with the weeks off. Husbands, wives and spouses of all persuasions are thrilled to have their loved ones home. However, the people with such a support system are also not the ones who, for the most part, have to worry about financial commitments. My bills are still going to be there, whether I’m on “vacation” or not. The three weeks this summer that are booked in and around the six weeks off are San Diego, Memphis and Atlanta; after the final three-week layoff we play Montreal. With the exception of Memphis, I’d consider any of these places a vacation destination. Fortunately, I’ll be paid to be in these cities; but being there won’t be vacation, it will be work.

But the question remains... since I’ve been traveling for several months to mostly terrific cities, does “taking a vacation” mean going home and cocooning with my family? Not traveling except to the grocery store? Is it picking a city which is not on the “Evita” itinerary and visiting with friends? Is it being one of the actors using the lay offs to look for the next gig?

Is it a vacation when you have to worry and stress over every dollar you spend? Should I throw caution to the wind, call up a friend and say, “Pack your bags, we’re off to.....”, charge the experience and go for the gusto of immediate gratification?

My work is most peoples’ play and no vacation:) When I’m in exciting cities like San Francisco, Chicago, Boston and Toronto, I try to make time for sightseeing and fun, but the work schedule dominates. I like having a good time, seeing friends, enjoying my work, but it is not a vacation. It’s part of my job. I would rate travel, particularly in a group, as the most stressful component of my job, other than being healthy enough to sing a difficult score eight shows a week.

As many folks as I’ve asked back stage, I’ve gotten that many answers to the question, “What is a vacation”? So, I’ll toss out the question to my live journal friends. What does taking a vacation mean to you? If you're in a non-tradtional job or career, what do you do with vacation time? I’m open to suggestions, alternate definitions, new experiences... and fun!