Actor Challenges L.A.'s 99-Seat Theater Plan With Suit Claiming Unpaid Wages

The practice of Actors' Equity members volunteering their services for stipends at Los Angeles' 99-seat theatres has been the subject of controversy and debate since last year's union referendum proposed to abolish the arrangement, which has been in place since 1989.

Adding more fuel to the fire, as reported by This Stage, is a complaint filed by actor Ann Colby Stocking with the California Department of Industrial Relations: Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, against the city's Odyssey Theatre Ensemble and its producer, Ron Sossi. She claims to be owed over six thousand dollars. $2,888 for unpaid minimum and overtime wages, plus an additional $2,296 in "liquidated damages," plus a $36/day penalty from the time of the filing that the demand remains unmet, for up to 30 days.

The claim brings into question whether her services were rendered as a volunteer, independent contractor or employee when she appeared in Odyssey's production of HAMLET.

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