The purpose of this guide is to outline how to schedule 5 hour calls, and file for overtime as necessary, with the 2024 updates to the CTA/ITA.
Members have both a contractual obligation to properly charge for overtime incurred, as well as an obligation to reasonably arrange their work so that the overtime can be avoided if possible.
We strongly encourage members working under the CTA/ITA to become familiar with the rules and their proper application.
The rehearsal day may be reduced to only one (1) continuous call of five (5) hours. The requirements for breaks in Clause 24:03(C) or 53:01(A) do not apply. One thirty (30) minute break must be scheduled at the midpoint of the rehearsal.
This type of break ONLY applies to Shortened Days. All other 5 hour calls should have 5 minutes of break per hour (or as required for musical theatre) as usual. As above, prep before or after the 5 hour span will create an overall work span requiring payment.
All Equity Stage Management personnel must receive a one (1) hour meal break after a maximum of five (5) hours of rehearsal including prep.
This will mean that any SM prep hours before or after a 5 hour rehearsal call will create an overall work span that incurs overtime under Line 2 of Schedule A.
The new meal break requirement is likely to create overtime situations where they did not occur before, especially as “work” now explicitly includes prep and post time around the typical rehearsal or performance block.
Below are examples of some common 5 hour call scenarios, but there are many variations. For simplicity, we have assumed the work uses the maximum allowable hours, but this is also variable.
The rehearsal day may be reduced to only 1 continuous call of 5 hours.
| Time | Activity | Overtime |
|---|---|---|
9:30 am–10:00 am | SM Prep | |
10:00 am–1:00 pm | Rehearsal | |
1:00 pm–1:30 pm | Break | |
1:30 pm–3:00 pm | Rehearsal | 0.5 hours |
3:00 pm–4:00 pm | SM Prep | 1 hour |
The Artist may be called to rehearse for 1 continuous call of 5 hours.
| Time | Activity | Overtime |
|---|---|---|
11:30 am–12:00 pm | SM Prep | |
12:00 pm–5:00 pm | Rehearsal (25 min of break) | 0.5 hours |
5:00 pm–6:30 pm | Dinner | |
6:30 pm–7:30 pm | SM Prep/Show Call | |
7:30 pm–10:00 pm | Half Hour/Show | |
10:30 pm–11:00 pm | SM Prep |
On a day when at least one Artist rehearsing a production is also performing at the Theatre, then all Artists in the production may be called for a continuous 5 hour rehearsal call. Those Artists who are not also performing may be rehearsed for an additional 2 hours after an appropriate meal break. Internal break requirements are longer for musical theatre.
| Time | Activity | Overtime |
|---|---|---|
11:00 am–12:00 pm | SM Prep | |
12:00 pm–5:00 pm | Rehearsal (25 min of break) | 1 hour |
5:00 pm–6:00 pm | Dinner | |
6:00 pm–8:00 pm | Rehearsal for non-performing cast (10 min of break) | |
3:00 pm–4:00 pm | SM Prep |
The Artist may be called to rehearse 10 out of 12 consecutive hours (9 out of 12 for musical theatre) per day with either two 1 hour meal breaks, or one 2 hour meal break (1.5 hours for musical theatre). Internal break requirements are also longer for musical theatre.
| Time | Activity | Overtime |
|---|---|---|
10:00 am–11:00 am | SM Prep | |
11:00 am–2:00 pm | Rehearsal (15 min of break) | |
2:00 pm–3:00 pm | Lunch | |
3:00 pm–7:00 pm | Rehearsal (20 min of break) | |
7:00 pm–8:00 pm | Dinner | |
8:00 pm–11:00 pm | Rehearsal (15 min of break) | |
11:00 pm–11:30 pm | SM Prep |
| Time | Activity | Overtime |
|---|---|---|
10:00 am–11:00 am | SM Prep | |
11:00 am–4:00 pm | Rehearsal (25 min of break) | 1 hour |
4:00 pm–6:00 pm | Dinner | |
6:00 pm–11:00 pm | Rehearsal (25 min of break) | |
11:00 pm–11:30 pm | SM Prep | 0.5 hours |
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