Meeting Minutes

Arizona Opera - AGMA AZ
Advisory Committee Meeting
Madama Butterfly Production
January 29, 2007

• Tom Wright - AOC
• Polly Monroe - AOC
• Julian Reed - AOC
• John Cleveland - AGMA Steward
• Barry Stein - Phoenix Vice-Steward
• Rene Summers - Tucson Vice-Steward

There were no concerns regarding this production. AGMA members of the Advisory Committee praised the conductor and assistant stage director for their professionalism and outstanding leadership with the chorus..

John Cleveland summarized the following chorus pay problems that have occurred this season and emphasized that although AOC resolves each pay problem occurrence, that AOC needs to develop a plan to prevent the problems from repeating.

• Housing deductions paid instead of debited – Macbeth
• Incorrect per diem amounts
• One chorister paid last season’s performance rate – Figaro
• Phoenix Figaro performances not paid
• Payments doubled during Butterfly
• Incorrect payment amount to chorister preparing payroll spreadsheet

Tom Wright commented that disciplinary action had been taken with AOC staff for the chronic pay problems and suggested that John meet with Debra Harris, General Manager to obtain complete information on the solutions being planned. The Advisory Committee agreed that John would meet with Debra and Tom at the Phoenix offices and report back to the committee as to action being taken to prevent further pay problems. John will work with Debra to set the meeting.

John advised the group that Rachel Velarde, who prepares the chorus payroll for the company, will make correct payment amounts available to choristers upon request, so that choristers can compare their pay stubs against the correct amounts.

Tom Wright confirmed that the following choristers would be paid $50 per show during the run of Madama Butterfly for their performance in Featured Supernumerary roles:

• Paul Gallegos
• Zane Knudson
• Barry Stein
• Sergio Celis
• Francisco Renteria

Tom Wright confirmed the Phoenix location for the “Era Blitz” Chorus Period Stage Movement Workshop as the Black Box Theater at Paradise Valley Community College. He indicated that he would be getting a company announcement to the chorus in the next few days.

John Cleveland confirmed the Phoenix location for the AGMA-AZ sponsored chorus audition preparation workshop as the Shepherd of the Hills church in Phoenix.

Tom Wright indicated that he is still working on times and locations for the mandatory chorus biennial auditions being held April 23 and 24 in Phoenix and April 27 in Tucson. He confirmed that choristers auditioning would continue to be considered for small roles in the 2007-2008 season.