Wag the blog

I worked at the Bailiwick for a ye& had no problems getting checks. But then again my bank goes back to the source & never tells me if a check bounces. I always wondered why they have no managing director & no production manager & no marketing director. Investing money in these larger salaries brings money & respectability back to the company. If after 25 years you still can't afford these positions, you're still doing student theatre in a crappy space with bad wiring & unreliable equipment.

"And yet, Zak admits he won’t be shocked if former employees come forward to collect because of this story. “I wouldn’t be surprised and I wouldn’t be angry,” he says. “If someone says to me, ‘I had a $100 check and I couldn’t cash it,’ I would say, ‘Oh, my God. Let’s go get it cashed. Let’s solve it.’” It's been almost two years and I'm still waiting for a check that may bounce.

By the way TOC...nobody uses the word Thespian to describe themself.

I too have been "Zakked". Unfortunatly it was after a couple of years of working on several productions for David, where I was paid on time every time. I don't know what the authors of "Springer" were thinking granting the bailiwick the U.S. premier. Yeah it was a great production...but who in their right mind thought the Bailiwick should do it over some LORT theater, and I know there was commercial interest in Chicago. I don't know what Hunchback is like, but Dennis DeYoung should be nervous.

Stories about Bailiwick doing bad business and financially exploiting artists have been going around for almost 20 years! They've had enough time to figure out how to run a business. They should be boycotted by artists and have their public funding pulled for the way they behave. If they do have a board, they should fire Zak. If they are like most theatre boards of smaller theatres, however, they probably just do what Zak tells them to do and asks no questions they don't want the answers to. This should be a larger conversation about what the city finds acceptable from a theatre company that sells a lot of tickets and has had enough time to figure out how to honor contracts. Where is Equity? Where is the IAC? I have admired that space since it was Chicago Filmakers. If Bailiwick can't fill it with honor, a new theatre company should get the funding and the chance.

I can tell you that this is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Bailiwick's financial troubles. The level of deceit at that organization stretches pretty deep, and there is a culture at the organization of "treading water" to survive. If that means not paying actors, technicians, licensing fees, resident companies, utility bills, or taxes, so be it. I can think of many organizations that rely on the kindness of people to pitch in and get things done for little money. I can think of no organization that is less appreciative of this free labor than Bailiwick. Zak chooses to fight his battles with intimidation and evasion, instead of gratitude towards those who help him. That's why you'll find so few people willing to come to his defense, and one of the highest staff turnover rates possible. Are there ANY permanent staff besides David left at Bailiwick?

The very first show I worked on after moving to Chicago was at Bailiwick and had to fight to get paid for my design. Only later, upon telling the story to other designers did I learn that there was a term for it: to get "Zakked". I learned my lesson: pick up your check on opening night, or take your toys and go home. Kudos to everybody finally speaking out.

I have seen the way Bailiwick does business firsthand, and I am also very fond of David Zak as a director and a person. But I do agree there are significant problems with there business tactics. The problem is that David runs the entire show, all the way down to the Board of Directors. I think its about time for the board to get off their ass and intervene, not allowing David to have ANY say in financial decisions, while continuing to to lead artistically. While I am not defending David's actions in the past, he is almost a one man show at Bailiwick, and therefore its virtually impossible to keep up with all the demands of running a $1 million dollar a year company. Hire a finance manager and get David's hand off the checkbook!!

And if we're going to talk about companies that are rumored to be shysters, who wants to discuss the Mercury and its dealings with renters? I remember there was an article about the conflict between the Mercury and Crew of Patches in Performink a while back. The rumor mill also said the relationship with "Urinetown" was less than cordial. And why did "Rocky Horror" close so quickly? (Admittedly, one answer to that is possibly that RH was doing crap business).

I have heard this from several people that have worked there- actors, directors, designers, you name it. Some said they never got paid, some were cut a check that bounced, and some eventually got paid but had to harass the Bailiwick at length to get a check that would actually clear. But I've always wondered if it was a few isolated cases or a systemic problem- i.e., maybe there are plenty of people getting paid on time who are just keeping quiet about it. But to be fair, I've never worked there myself- so I've never had a chance to see whether or not a paycheck of mine would cash or not. I feel like the conflict *is* that issue of feeling like complainers get blacklisted in this community. Even if you don't care whether you never work at the Bailiwick again, David does know a lot of people in the community whose checks *do* clear. Not that I'm likely to be asked by David Zak, but in my opinion the solution to the problem is to admit up front to the actors that the money isn't there. If there's the least doubt about whether or not you can pay your actors, declare the production is unpaid in your audition notice! The Bailiwick is prestigious enough that there are still plenty of actors that would want to work there (though admittedly there are some that won't work for free no matter what, and good for 'em). At least as far as musicals go, the Bailiwick makes really ballsy, interesting material choices- I LOVED Jerry Springer the Opera when I saw it, and I also fondly remember their production of Parade from a few seasons back. If the Bailiwick stopped paying its actors, it would still be in good company in this town, and fewer people would be pissed off about it. I don't mind working for free, as long as I know that's the deal going in. Here's my other question- if the Bailiwick is in such dire financial straits, why have they signed a contract with Equity for next season? And looking at the cast list for "Hunchback," they certainly haven't skimped on the number of contracts they've used, either.

This type of bullshit doesn't happen to the union performers working at Bailiwick. They are protected with safe and sanitary working minimums (by which the non-pros benefit), minimum working hours and by their bond. Get smart and organize against assholes like Zak. If you don't, why shouldn't you expect more of the same?

I think all of us can say that if a struggling theatre director came up with humblest apologies, explained a situation in which he could not cut a check one night, and vowed to make it right, we would be willing to continue, because we really do love what we do. What makes David Zak and the Bailiwick so awful is the complete lack of taking responsibility. In this article, he is quoted as saying he would instantly solve the problem, but from experience I know that he will often make a person feel as if its unreasonable to expect one's check to actually cash. The problem here is an even larger one: a lack of respect for the artists who contribute their time and talents to the Bailiwick, a way of treating people as if they were unimportant. Its unfortunate that someone with such a great vision for theatre. as Zak is, turns out to also be a disrespectful, dishonest and unkind person. To me, that's the real tragedy of what has been happening for years at the Bailiwick.

Don’t believe one optimistic word from any public figure about the economy or humanity in general. They are all part of the problem. Its like a game of Monopoly. In America, the richest 1% now hold 1/2 OF ALL UNITED STATES WEALTH. Unlike ‘lesser’ estimates, this includes all stocks, bonds, cash, and material assets held by America’s richest 1%. Even that filthy pig Oprah acknowledged that it was at about 50% in 2006. Naturally, she put her own ‘humanitarian’ spin on it. Calling attention to her own ‘good will’. WHAT A DISGUSTING HYPOCRITE SLOB. THE RICHEST 1% HAVE LITERALLY MADE WORLD PROSPERITY ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE. Don’t fall for any of their ‘humanitarian’ CRAP. ITS A SHAM. THESE PEOPLE ARE CAUSING THE SAME PROBLEMS THEY PRETEND TO CARE ABOUT. Ask any professor of economics. Money does not grow on trees. The government can’t just print up more on a whim. At any given time, there is a relative limit to the wealth within ANY economy of ANY size. So when too much wealth accumulates at the top, the middle class slip further into debt and the lower class further into poverty. A similar rule applies worldwide. The world’s richest 1% now own over 40% of ALL WORLD WEALTH. This is EVEN AFTER you account for all of this ‘good will’ ‘humanitarian’ BS from celebrities and executives. ITS A SHAM. As they get richer and richer, less wealth is left circulating beneath them. This is the single greatest underlying cause for the current US recession. The middle class can no longer afford to sustain their share of the economy. Their wealth has been gradually transfered to the richest 1%. One way or another, we suffer because of their incredible greed. We are talking about TRILLIONS of dollars. Transfered FROM US TO THEM. Over a period of about 27 years. Thats Reaganomics for you. The wealth does not ‘trickle down’ as we were told it would. It just accumulates at the top. Shrinking the middle class and expanding the lower class. Causing a domino effect of socio-economic problems. But the rich will never stop. They will never settle for a reasonable share of ANYTHING. They will do whatever it takes to get even richer. Leaving even less of the pie for the other 99% of us to share. At the same time, they throw back a few tax deductable crumbs and call themselves ‘humanitarians’. IT CAN’T WORK THIS WAY. Any 'humanitarian' progress made in one area will be lost in another. EVERY SINGLE TIME. IT ABSOLUTELY CAN NOT WORK THIS WAY. This is going to end just like a game of Monopoly. The current US recession will drag on for years and lead into the worst US depression of all time. The richest 1% will live like royalty while the rest of us fight over jobs, food, and gasoline. Crime, poverty, and suicide will skyrocket. So don’t fall for all of this PR CRAP from Hollywood, Pro Sports, and Wall Street PIGS. ITS A SHAM. Remember: They are filthy rich EVEN AFTER their tax deductable contributions. Greedy pigs. Now, we are headed for the worst economic and cultural crisis of all time. SEND A “THANK YOU” NOTE TO YOUR FAVORITE MILLIONAIRE. ITS THEIR FAULT. I’m not discounting other factors like China, sub-prime, or gas prices. But all of those factors combined still pale in comparison to that HUGE transfer of wealth to the rich. Anyway, those other factors are all related and further aggrivated because of GREED. If it weren’t for the OBSCENE distribution of wealth within our country, there never would have been such a market for sub-prime to begin with. Which by the way, was another trick whipped up by greedy bankers and executives. IT MAKES THEM RICHER. The credit industry has been ENDORSED by people like Oprah, Ellen, Dr Phil, and many other celebrities. IT MAKES THEM RICHER. Now, there are commercial ties between nearly every industry and every public figure. IT MAKES THEM RICHER. So don’t fall for their ‘good will’ BS. ITS A LIE. If you fall for it, then you’re a fool. If you see any real difference between the moral character of a celebrity, politician, attorney, or executive, then you’re a fool. WAKE UP PEOPLE. ITS ALL ABOUT THE MONEY. The 1% club will always say or do whatever it takes to get as rich as possible. Without the slightest regard for anything or anyone but themselves. Vioxx. Their idea. Sub-prime. Their idea. NAFTA. Their idea. Outsourcing. Their idea. The commercial lobbyist. Their idea. The multi-million dollar lawsuit. Their idea. $200 cell phone bills. Their idea. $200 basketball shoes. Their idea. $30 late fees. Their idea. $30 NSF fees. Their idea. $20 DVDs. Their idea. Subliminal advertising. Their idea. The MASSIVE campaign to turn every American into a brainwashed credit card, pharmaceutical, love-sick, celebrity junkie. Their idea. All of which concentrate the world’s wealth and resources and wreak havok on society. All of which have been CREATED AND ENDORSED by celebrities, athletes, and executives. IT MAKES THEM RICHER. So don’t fall for their ‘ good will’ ‘humanitarian’ BS. ITS A SHAM. NOTHING BUT TAX DEDUCTABLE PR CRAP. Bottom line: The richest 1% will soon tank the largest economy in the world. It will be like nothing we’ve ever seen before. and thats just the beginning. Greed will eventually tank every major economy in the world. Causing millions to suffer and die. Oprah, Angelina, Brad, Bono, and Bill are not part of the solution. They are part of the problem. EXTREME WEALTH HAS MADE WORLD PROSPERITY ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE. WITHOUT WORLD PROSPERITY, THERE WILL NEVER BE WORLD PEACE OR ANYTHING EVEN CLOSE. GREED KILLS. IT WILL BE OUR DOWNFALL. Of course, the rich will throw a fit and call me a madman. Of course, their ignorant fans will do the same. You have to expect that. But I speak the truth. If you don’t believe me, then copy this entry and run it by any professor of economics or socio-economics. Then tell a friend. Call the local radio station. Re-post this entry or put it in your own words. Be one of the first to predict the worst economic and cultural crisis of all time and explain its cause. WE ARE IN BIG TROUBLE.