Employment Guidelines

The mission of Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas (LMDA) is to cultivate, develop, and promote the fields of dramaturgy and literary management. Within that mission, LMDA is committed to improve working conditions. Therefore, the membership of LMDA voted to adopt the following recommended guidelines for contracts and other agreements.  The membership also resolved that LMDA distribute these guidelines to potential employers.

Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas cannot collectively bargain, though it may advocate for its members. The guidelines are suggestions only and are not to be interpreted as comprising a contract. The guidelines list employment terms which dramaturgs/literary managers can consider when negotiating agreements for service. The guidelines intend also to address questions from employers about what constitutes fair employment terms. Dramaturgs/literary managers, hereby instructed on reasonable and standard terms, can adopt, reject or modify any portion of the guidelines according to each person’s individual conscience and to suit the particular circumstances.

The guidelines were developed over three years of research and discussion led by LMDA’s Advocacy Caucus. That research included investigation into employment practices and standards in other theater professions, as well as (through oral history, discussion, and surveys) common practice and the wishes of working dramaturgs. We concluded that practitioners sometimes deserve compensation and credit equal to that of stage designers and sometimes approach the compensation awarded stage directors or playwrights.

Equity is essential.

NOTE: A new, updated edition of the employment guidelines is in the works, to be unveiled late March 2012.