Chicago Activator, April 21, 2014

Official E-Newsletter of the SAG-AFTRA Chicago Local

April 21, 2014

IN THIS ISSUE LIVE from Mayne Stage

Tickets Available Now

Conversations with Dan Navarro Agent Access New Member Orientation Tips & Tricks Online Auditions The Singer's Notes

LIVE from Mayne Stage An evening full of great entertainment to benefit the Kaufherr Members Resource Center!

Volunteer at GCFD

6-9 p.m. Monday, May 19

Freelance Tidbit Help Wanted Special Hours KMRC on April 23 Singer Email List Workers Independent News Stars of A Haunted House 2

Get your tickets by May 1 to be entered into a drawing for a six-course dinner for two at Table 52.

Details below.

Tickets Available Now! LIVE from Mayne Stage On May 19, the Mayne Stage Theater in Rogers Park will be the backdrop for the second annual Live from Mayne Stage event to benefit the Kaufherr Members Resource Center (KMRC).

This year's event features critically acclaimed singer/songwriter and SAG-AFTRA National Vice President, Recording Artists Dan Navarro, comedian Russ Williamson, chanteuse Claudia Hommel accompanied by Bob Moreen, song-and-dance man Dennis Kelly, rhythm and blues vocalist Lynne Jordan and world-class entertainer Greta Pope. Chicago broadcast legend Richard Steele will be the evening's master of ceremonies.

The KMRC is a multipurpose facility available at no cost to SAG-AFTRA and Actors' Equity members. Its mission is to support Chicago's professional performers in enhancing their skills and marketing their talents. The KMRC has a deep and profound commitment to Chicago's actors, singers, theaters and the arts.

"Chicago-area performers are very fortunate to have access to this comprehensive resource. The KMRC contributes greatly to the rich performing arts scene in Chicago, giving performers the tools for excellence," said SAG-AFTRA Chicago Local Board member and benefit chairperson Greta Pope.

When: 6 - 9 p.m. May 19, 2014 Where: Mayne Stage, 1328 W. Morse Ave., Chicago Tickets: $25 in advance, $50 at the door. Purchase tickets online at Eventbrite.

Get your tickets by May 1 to be entered into a drawing for a six-course dinner for two at Table 52.

To purchase by mail, send a check payable to the KMRC to: SAG-AFTRA Chicago, 1 East Erie, Suite 650, Chicago, IL 60611 This event is being produced and administered by entities independent of SAG-AFTRA.

Conversations with Dan Navarro On May 19, SAG-AFTRA National Vice President, Recording Artists Dan Navarro, Los Angeles based singer/songwriter, voiceover artist and recording artist, will engage in conversations with SAG-AFTRA Chicago Local members. Dan will answer questions about navigating a successful performing career, share some tales from the road, talk about his union and much more. He has worked in many areas of the business and has a wealth of knowledge to share. Don't miss this opportunity to converse with one of the best.

When: 1 - 3 p.m. May 19, 2014 Where: KMRC, 1 East Erie, Suite 660, Chicago RSVP to jolene.jones@sagaftra.org About Dan Navarro Dan started his career as a songwriter, often with Eric Lowen, for artists as diverse as Pat Benatar (the Grammy-nominated We Belong), The Bangles, Jackson Browne and many more. In the 1990s, he recorded and toured with Lowen in the acoustic duo Lowen & Navarro.

A singer and voice actor for 25 years, his credits include The Lorax, Rock of Ages, Happy Feet, Rio (Oscar-nominated Real In Rio), Ice Age (2 & 3), Prison Break, Family Guy and The Cleveland Show; recordings with Neil Young, Andrea Bocelli, Luis Miguel, Jose Feliciano, Susanna Hoffs and commercials for Shakey's Pizza, McDonald's, Toyota, Coca-Cola, Honda, El Pollo Loco, Nationwide and hundreds of others.

Dan has contributed countless hours in Washington on performers' issues, including testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Copyright Royalty Board supporting Nashville Songwriters Association International, SAG-AFTRA, NARAS, BMI, SoundExchange and musicFIRST Coalition.

In addition to SAG-AFTRA, he also serves on the boards of Folk Alliance, The Levitt Pavilions LA, The California Songwriters Association and the Golden West Chapter of the ALS Association, fighting the neuromuscular disease, better known as Lou Gehrig's disease, which tragically took Lowen's life in 2012. More about Dan at dannavarro.com.

Agent Access with Johnson McKay Talent Peggy Johnson of Johnson McKay Talent, Chicago's newest franchised agency, will interview SAG-AFTRA members for the purpose of representation the week of April 28.

Deadline for submissions is noon, Wednesday, April 23. No electronic submissions accepted. If selected for an interview, you will be notified by Friday, April 25.

Please mail or drop off your submission (headshot, resume and your SAG-AFTRA member number), to Kathy Byrne at SAG-AFTRA Chicago, 1 East Erie, Suite 650, Chicago, IL 60611. If you have any questions, please call the SAG-AFTRA office, (312) 573-8081, ext. 5508.

SAG-AFTRA Chicago's Casting Access/Agent Access program is an ongoing, cooperative venture for the mutual benefit of Chicago talent agents, casting professionals and SAG-AFTRA members in good standing. It is not a workshop, training or "feedback" program or a guarantee of work or future audition or employment opportunities. It is an opportunity for casting professionals and talent agents to hold "generals" and become better acquainted with the wide variety of talent in Chicago's SAG-AFTRA membership.

New Member Orientation, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 7 New members represent the future for SAG-AFTRA. The more knowledgeable they are, the stronger our union and all members are. The goal of the New Members Subcommittee of SAGAFTRA Chicago's Community Outreach, Community Organizing committee is to educate, engage and empower professional actors from the moment they become union members.

The new member orientation event is only one part of that process. Topics covered include every step involved in the union experience, from initiation fees and the dues structure to the correct way to execute member reports and contracts. Other areas include agents and commissions, casting directors, resolving claims, health coverage, set demeanor, committees, staff and a variety of member benefits.

New member orientations are not just for new members. Whether you joined yesterday or 20 years ago, all members in good standing are welcome. Plan now to attend the next new membership orientation and stay informed. The next orientation is 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 7. Please call Natasha Beals at the SAG-AFTRA Chicago office, (312) 573-8081 ext. 3712, or email Natasha at natasha.beals@sagaftra.org to reserve your spot.

Park for $11 at 10 East Ontario. Enter on the north side of Ontario between Wabash and State, and then take a ticket. When you sign in, you may purchase a four-hour ticket for $11. You will need both tickets to exit the parking structure. Cash or credit card only.

May Conservatory Event Tips & Tricks for Submitting a Kick-Ass Online Casting Audition With special guest Jason Teresi of Breakdown Services, May's Conservatory event will show members how to get the most out of their online casting auditions.

Jason is going to share examples of the good, the bad and the very best online auditions. He will show you how to record and submit successful online auditions and the tricks and tips you need to DIY. When: 6 - 8 p.m. Monday, May 12 Where: Kaufherr Members Resource Center, 1 E. Erie, Suite 660, Chicago, IL 60611 RSVP to Kathy Byrne, kathy.byrne@sagaftra.org or (312) 573-8081, ext. 5508.

Open to SAG-AFTRA and AEA members in good standing.

Park for $11 at 10 East Ontario. Enter on the north side of Ontario between Wabash and State, and then take a ticket. When you sign in, you may purchase a four-hour ticket for $11. You will need both tickets to exit the parking structure. Cash or credit cards only.

The Singer's Notes by Greta Pope Happy Spring, Singers!

I am very excited to once again be serving as chairman of Live from Mayne Stage, an exciting evening of entertainment to benefit the Kaufherr Members Resource Center (KMRC) and to support the performing arts in Chicago. I hope that you will join us on May 19 from 6-9 p.m. at the Mayne Stage. Visit the event's Facebook page for more information.

Please also join us on the afternoon of May 19 for Conversations with Dan Navarro. See above for all of the details. Come out and join us.

Last time in The Singer's Notes, we looked at the concept of a business plan. Performers often think that they don't need a business plan. The fact is that every business should have a business plan. It is your roadmap to success. It's important to research and understand your audience as part of your business plan. No business can be everything to everyone, so you will want to carefully target your product to people who like what you do.

If you're an indie rock artist, you would not want to surprise your audience with show tunes at your next concert. Though some of your audience members might like show tunes, they are coming to your concert to hear indie rock. You want to brand yourself in a way that lets people know exactly what they are going to experience when they come out to see you and when they purchase your recordings.

Making decisions about your style of music and your personal image will help you brand your product and move your career forward. You'll be able to effectively connect with your audience by advertising in print and in online publications that reach your audience. You'll also be able to approach prospective sponsors that provide goods and services that your audience uses. This will come in handy when planning your tours.

Wishing you the very best always!

Greta Greta Pope is co-chair of SAG-AFTRA Chicago's Singers Committee. Greta developed this column to address "all things singer," and she welcomes your input. To join the Singers Committee or to send comments, questions or topic ideas to the staff liaison for singers, please email Jolene Jones at jolene.jones@sagaftra.org.

SAG-AFTRA to Volunteer at GCFD on May 29 SAG-AFTRA Chicago is returning to the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Join staff and members from 1 - 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 29. The GCFD is at 4100 West Ann Lurie Place in Chicago. This is near Midway Airport. Free parking is available.

We never know exactly what we'll be doing, but volunteer opportunities include repacking bulk products to individual/family sizes, assembling boxes with assorted food, checking expiration dates, labeling products, sorting products, etc. Participants must be at least 14 years old.

The Greater Chicago Food Depository is a nonprofit food distribution and training center providing food for hungry people while striving to end hunger in our community. The GCFD distributes donated and purchased food through a network of 650 pantries, soup kitchens and shelters to 678,000 adults and children in Cook County every year.

This event is open to everyone. Please ask family and friends to join you. To volunteer, please RSVP to Linda Swenson at linda.swenson@sagaftra.org.

Freelance Tidbit Remember: Performers working as extras in a commercial being shot within the studio zone (which is 30 miles from State and Madison) are to be paid a flat mileage fee of $8 per day.

Help Wanted Part-Time, Flexible Hours GM Goldman and Associates, an insurance agency in Lincolnwood, is hiring part-time appointment setters. No experience necessary, a pleasant speaking voice is all that you need.

The hours are flexible to accommodate the needs of SAG-AFTRA members. GM Goldman and Associates is located near public transportation at 7250 N. Cicero Avenue.

For more information, call (847) 675-3600 or email Donna Kiefer at dkiefer@gmgoldman.com.

Please note: This work opportunity is included at the company's request because it may be of interest to our members. Nothing herein constitutes or is intended to imply an endorsement by SAG-AFTRA of the company or opportunity. All questions regarding the opportunity should be addressed to the company.

Special Hours for KMRC on April 23 The Kaufherr Members Resource Center will not be open on Wednesday evening, April 23. The KMRC will be open during the day, 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Singer Email List Do you sing but don't have your membership classified as a singer or recording artist? If you'd like to be included on a future email list for casting notices for SAG-AFTRA projects related to singing, please contact Jolene Jones at jolene.jones@sagaftra.org.

This is for SAG-AFTRA members in good standing and we can only contact you at the email address that is already attached to your member record..

If you are currently classified as a singer or recording artists, then you are already on the list.

Reprinted by permission from the Workers Independent News.

Art Handlers In Chicago To Vote April 25 On Joining The Teamsters

By Doug Cunningham On April 25, high-end art handlers at Mana-Dowd LLC in Chicago could become Teamsters. The art handlers will vote on the same day that college athletes for Northwestern University are scheduled to vote on whether or not to join a union. If the Teamsters win the election, about 31 art handlers would be the first employees of a major art transportation company in Chicago to unionize. These art handlers transport and install priceless works of art for museums and private collectors. In 2012, 42 Teamsters at Sotheby's in New York won a long battle to get their first union contract, which came only after being locked out of their jobs for 10 months. More than 70 percent of the Mana-Dowd art handlers in Chicago have master's degrees, yet starting pay is still just $14 an hour.

SAG-AFTRA Chicago Local Board member Doug Cunningham is a broadcaster at Workers Independent News, a nationally syndicated media organization dedicated to the issues and concerns of working people. To listen or subscribe, visit Workers Independent News.

Stars of A Haunted House 2

On April 2, SAG-AFTRA Chicago member comedian Michael Issac moderated a panel of the stars of A Haunted House 2 following a special screening at AMC River East. From left, Affion Crockett, Gabriel Iglesias, Marlon Wayans and Issac.

In response to members' requests to stay informed, The Activator may include notice of rallies, pickets and other actions by unions and the labor movement that have not been sanctioned by the National or Chicago Board of Directors of SAG-AFTRA. This information is provided as a convenience.

The information contained herein regarding workshops, vendors, special offers and the like is provided for informational purposes and is not intended to imply endorsement by SAG-AFTRA of them or the information, material, products or services provided. SAG-AFTRA makes no warranties or representations regarding the use of the material or the quality of the services or service providers.

SAG-AFTRA Chicago: (312) 573-8081 Email: chicago@sagaftra.org Website SAGAFTRA.org/chicago