Working With Us

LynchPin is about enabling work. Our production work serves an underlying desire to make it possible for theatre practitioners to work when there is no Work, to share ideas, develop their skills, extend their practice, expand their cv. The four aspects of our performance-based work ensures that there is usually something going on for which we need actors and/or technicians on a short-term basis.

ScripTease: these monthly events generate a consistent need for actors who want to develop their reading skills and who have a couple of evenings free to rehearse and one other to perform.

Artifice works regularly but not consistently. While we do work in theatres, for the most part we are not in the business of imitating spaces, but in inhabiting them. This means that with each new venue there is a new layout: entrances and exits will be in different relation to each other, the audience layout will be different – and the actors need to be fluid enough to work with and around these movable factors while retaining connection with character(s) and text. Audiences occupy the same space as you do, so you can play with them and off them. So we look for actors who are interested in:

  • work with classical text

  • increase their flexibility

  • work with a repertoire of three or four characters/plays

  • not be thrown because your scene partner is different this time around

  • be open to requests to re-create a character if a new booking comes in

  • work in close relationship with audiences

  • work in beautiful spaces in a very particular kind of ‘site specific’ performance

See below for: Equality & Diversity Policy, Terms & Conditions and Grievance & Disciplinary Procedure

Equality & Diversity Policy

 LynchPin Productions Theatre Company Ltd has adopted this policy in order to ensure that equal opportunities are implemented throughout the work of the organisation.

This policy shall inform LynchPin Productions’s actions and attitudes towards employees, volunteers, trainees, LynchPin members, directors, freelance workers, participants in workshops, all service users and clients and members of the public.

Our Policy and Ethos

LynchPin Productions recognises that individuals and groups have been and are oppressed, excluded and disadvantaged on many illegitimate, and often unlawful, grounds. Such grounds may include: age, appearance, class, criminal conviction history, colour, disability, domestic status and responsibilities, ethnic origin, gender identity, geographical location, history of illness, HIV status, nationality, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation,

LynchPin Productions is an artistic concern creating theatrical works. In theatre there are at times genuine reasons for casting in accordance with some of the characteristics listed above. However, it is our sincere commitment not to unfairly disadvantage anyone on any of these – or other – grounds when they are not artistically or creatively relevant.

More than this, LynchPin positively seeks

  • to operate in a way that is welcoming and inclusive of diversity;

  • to challenge ourselves and others to stretch, adapt and transform our pre-conceived ideas about what is appropriate and possible;

  • to comply with legislative requirements and guidance under the Equality Act 2010; and

  • to work in a way which honours the equal value and dignity of people and of all forms of life on the planet.

Terms & Conditions

Generally, we work with artists as self-employed sub-contractors. We can’t pay for rehearsing – yet, but we hope the benefits of working with us are not merely financial, and we live in hope that increased work will generate healthier funding.

Payment for performances depends on the nature of the contract we’re working with. Wherever possible Artifice charge fees to perform, though we also work on box office splits. As much of the income for a show will be passed on to cast and crew as can be afforded by the Company. Help with transport costs will be provided when donation funds allow.

ScripTease box office takings are split with the cast on a 30/70 basis, with the 30% going to the Company to cover costs, and the 70% being divided amongst the cast.

Takings are clearly dependent on attendance – even where we are charging a fee, future bookings are more likely if the venue or event has been financially successful. We depend on social media for most of our marketing, and we hope all our artists will spread their enthusiasm as widely among their Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, circles as possible.

Auditions

  • LynchPin will ensure that actors receive all information, including relevant sides when appropriate and the proposed format of the audition at least 2 days prior to the agreed date.

  • Auditions will usually be held at Creating Space studio in Binscombe. Where necessary/or appropriate, auditions may be held in an alternative studio, theatre or rehearsal space.

  • LynchPin will endeavour to see actors at the time agreed and where auditions are running over an hour late, actors will be notified.

  • LynchPin will ensure that actors have a comfortable place to wait for the audition.

  • LynchPin will be clear about when actors can expect to hear about a recall. Actors will hear either way.

Remuneration

  • LynchPin will keep an Open Financial Book for the Production that any member of the company can inspect at no less than 7 days notice. At the first company meeting, the books will be explained by the Company and it will be made clear how any profits will be allocated.

  • Within 30 days after the last performance of the Production, The Company shall close the accounts of the Production and make a copy of said accounts available to every Company Member upon request and distribute profits as agreed. If receipts from venues are delayed beyond this 30-day period interim accounts will be made available.

Travel expenses

  • Any allowances for travel expenses will be agreed prior to the start of the rehearsal.

Hours of work

  • It is understood that working arrangements will be flexible and subject to negotiation between the Company and the Company Members.

  • The Working Time Regulations(http://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/faqs/workingtimedirective.htm) mean that no more than 48 hours a week, on average, may be worked. This average should be calculated over the length of the run of the Production, from the date of first rehearsal to the date of final performance.

  • The maximum working day shall normally be no more than 10 hours (including meal breaks) and those hours shall normally fall between 8.00am and 12.00 midnight apart from in exceptional circumstances.

  • There shall normally be a one-hour meal break between morning and afternoon working periods and between afternoon and evening working periods, apart from in exceptional circumstances.

  • There shall be a break of 15 minutes within any continuous working period of 3 hours and where possible, actors will have a clear hour prior to curtain up.

  • NOTE that characteristically, LynchPin rehearsals take place at weekends and evenings in sessions of 3 hours.

Equal opportunities

  • LynchPin has an Equal Opportunities Policy and will adhere to it in practice and monitor it regularly.

Touring conditions and travel

  • If a Company Member is required to stay overnight away from the Company Base,

    • EITHER: LynchPin will provide reasonable accommodation, which will have hot and cold running water, bathing and heating facilities, be clean and hygienic, and provide for one bed per Company Member.

    • OR: Company Members may arrange their own accommodation for the whole (or part) of the tour, subject to an agreed budget.

Costume and property

  • LynchPin will provide all costume, hairpieces, wigs, specialist make-up, etc., and will ensure that they are kept clean and in good repair.

  • Should a Company Member agree with LynchPin to use his/her own property for the Production, LynchPin will undertake to make good any loss or damage from the Production Budget before remuneration to any Investors.

  • Company Members will treat all costumes, etc., with care and respect.

Health and safety

  • LynchPin maintains Employer’s Liability Insurancefor all Company Members during working time with insurers specialising in covering theatre companies.

  • LynchPin will provide and maintain safe and healthy conditions of work in accordance with Health and Safety legislation for the time in force.

  • Fight calls will be held where appropriate.

  • LynchPin will communicate to all Company Members its written Health and Safety Policy which includes:

    • Procedure for risk assessments of all productions.

    • Provision for training to be given to Company Members where appropriate.

  • LynchPin will be responsible for providing all necessary protective clothing and equipment.

  • LynchPin displays a copy of the fire regulations and drill prominently within Creating Space, will ensure that any other rehearsal space used does the same, and ensure that they are drawn to the Company Members’ attention.

Disciplinary, dismissal and grievance procedures

  • The Company will state their disciplinary and grievance procedures to Company Members in the first company meeting and should follow this should any issues arise.

Sickness

  • Any Company Member who is forced to be absent through sickness shall notify LynchPin as soon as practicable and advise wherever possible on the likely duration.

Final Footage

  • When producing a film, commerical, tv show or any production in which video footage will be taken, LynchPin will provide all Cast & Crew with a free editable copy of the final footage for use in their showreel, within 6 months of the end of the project.

General provisions

  • Legible scripts and music for all productions other than devised plays shall be provided to all Company Members as soon as is practical and shall remain the property of the Company.

  • Copies of promotional material will be made available to Company Members.

  • Actors will be allowed 2 industry comps per run and further comps where possible.

  • The Company Member shall provide a personal biography and a headshot to the specifications given by the Company. They will not be altered by the Company without prior consultation with the Company Member.

  • Photographs taken of the Company Member during specified photo calls shall only be for the relevant single production and for general publicity for the Company. These will be made available to Company Members for their own self-promotion. If photos are used for Company publicity after the completion of the production, it should be clearly stated that they are from a previous production.

  • There will be an information embargo before announcements are made by the Company. Company members are encouraged to use social media once Company announcements have been made.

  • The programme shall at all times show current Creative Team, Cast, and Stage Management.

  • I the unlikely event that the Company is obliged to cancel a performance or a run, the Company will advise Company Members immediately.

Devised plays

  • A Devised Play is a play for which no working script exists at the beginning of rehearsals. The Company will ensure that actors involved in the process will be credited as co-devisors. The script remains the property of the Company.

 

GRIEVANCE & DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE

LynchPin Productions Theatre Company Ltd is a small company of professional theatre makers, with a Board of Directors comprised of six members, and a group of Associate Artists, usually around 20 strong.

The Company’s most consistent aspect is ScripTease, a monthly programme of rehearsed readings running approximately eight months of the year. Other productions occur from time to time.

If you are working with LynchPin, it will be in one of these two contexts, and the likelihood is that at least one of the Board of Directors will be involved at some level. We endeavour always to be clear in our communications and about what can be expected from any involvement with us, and hope that you will ask if anything has not been made clear to you.

When you are invited to take on a role, as performer or crew, in a LynchPin production, you should be given or sent a copy of the Terms and Conditions, and the production schedule. LynchPin makes every effort to rehearse outside normal office hours so that earnings are as little affected as possible, so the schedule may be in a draft state initially. You are asked to be realistic about your ability to participate fully, given the limited funding situation of the Company, and in view of any travel arrangements you will have to make in order to participate fully in the production.

You may be asked to assist in aspects of production other than the specific role you have been asked to play. Such requests will be within reason, and no undue pressure will be brought to bear.

 

DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE

Acceptance of the role will imply acceptance of the Terms and Conditions, an undertaking to attend all agreed rehearsals and performances, and a willingness to engage in professional practice as a member of the production.

If you fail to attend, are late for or disrupt rehearsals, or if you refuse to assist where you are reasonably able in the logistics of the production, you may, after two warning reminders, be replaced. If budgets allow, and at the discretion of the Board of Directors, you may be compensated for any demonstrable expenses incurred in your participation up to the point of your replacement.

 

GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

Should you feel that you have a complaint against any member of cast, crew or Company, we ask that you first ask yourself these questions:

  1. What happened/happens – what is the objective data at the source of your complaint?

  2. How do you feel about this – for example: angry, sad, shame, fear?

  3. What do you believe about this?

  4. What do you want to have happen?

This is a communication model that we have found useful, and, without wishing to minimise any complaint you might legitimately have, this model can help you resolve in your own mind what the key factors are. Those of us used to working with the model find that it can take us to an understanding of the situation which means that we no longer need to take it further. If this is not the case, the clarity gained will help you with the procedure, which is outlined over the page.

Please click on the image to the left to view the flow-chart of action.

We hope that most complaints will be able to be dealt with on a person-to-person level.

PLEASE NOTE that grievances against LynchPin should relate to the Terms and Conditions (T&Cs) issued at the start of the production or project you are involved in. Acceptance of a role in a production or project will be taken to imply acceptance of the T&Cs. Complaints about the T&Cs themselves will not, therefore be admitted.

Updated: 02/11/2021