Thread: Is this common or acceptable?

Is it common or acceptable for a presentor of a workshop to accept a conflicting engagement?

I'm just curious...
because I just had to cancel a workshop (a 4 part event) that was scheduled to begin first week of June because one of the presentors (the one who was to handle the choreography portion) accepted a conflicting engagement. (basically a show that they had been working to create - that is to run monthly but wasn't to begin later; the event location booked it to begin sooner)

I cancelled the workshop, refunded everyone's money, and apologised to all for having to cancel the event. I'm more than slightly miffed though, because I spent a lot of time/effort promoting this event - as well as monies that, in retrospect, could've been put to other or better use. ,m::

Does this happen often (or even occassionionally) w/ regards to workshops or gala events?

That's too bad, it must be really disappointing and frustrating for you.

A contract usually has a cancellation clause in it. If the producer cancels, the presenter is still owed money, perhaps not the full amount, or perhaps it is the full amount. If the presenter cancels, I'm not sure what recourse the producer would have. Perhaps the presenter would be required to send a replacement for herself so that the event would not be cancelled? I'm guessing you guys did not have a written agreement.

In my experience it has been pretty rare that an instructor cancels after all of the promotion has been done and the registrations are already in. Normally there is a contract that states all of the details about cancellation and such, but from what I have seen, there is usually only a cancellation in cases where the instructor is ill or unable to travel to the event.

I don't know the details in your case, but, in general, I would consider it poor form for an instructor to cancel their contracted workshop session because they had been offered a gig elsewhere. It sounds like there was already a potential conflict here, so there may have been other things that could be playing a part.

Sorry to hear that your event had to be canceled. Was there an option to reschedule it with the dancer based on their availability? If so, then I would definitely suggest a written contract with all of the cancellation stuff listed.

Unfortunately not, as was someone I know (and trustED),
And this person didn't just burn me - but the partner they were to be working w/ for this event as well.

You can bet that am gonna have a contract
(for anything/everything) in the future!


Options were offered - but not until I had already gone through the process of canceling/refunding. The biggest obstacle to overcome is everyone's schedule (presenter A has a vending biz and scheduled events till much later in the year - and I am def leary of presenter B after this...)

I go with the first person to definately book me then what ever else turns up for that day is refused no matter how good it is. If I'm booked to work some place then thats it I'm booked regardless if the contract is verbal(as it usually is) or written. I never change my mind even if I'm offered more money.people check with me if I'm free in good faith and if I say I'm doing a thing then I'm doing it.
Mind you I've had the opposite and had a workshop or performance cancel at very little notice which puts me in a mess as this dance thing is my job-no money- no nothing!!

Originally Posted by Candi

I go with the first person to definately book me then what ever else turns up for that day is refused no matter how good it is. If I'm booked to work some place then thats it I'm booked regardless if the contract is verbal(as it usually is) or written. I never change my mind even if I'm offered more money.people check with me if I'm free in good faith and if I say I'm doing a thing then I'm doing it.

Ditto. My word is my wand.


Khalida

Assuming that there was no mis-communication about the workshop being a solid booking, I would say that the presenter is totally out of line cancelling on you. This is definitely not the done thing! I would never book them again. I wouldn't go around bad-mouthing or being narky to them at all, but I simply wouldn't conduct business with them again.

Originally Posted by Candi

I go with the first person to definately book me then what ever else turns up for that day is refused no matter how good it is. If I'm booked to work some place then thats it I'm booked regardless if the contract is verbal(as it usually is) or written. I never change my mind even if I'm offered more money.people check with me if I'm free in good faith and if I say I'm doing a thing then I'm doing it.
Mind you I've had the opposite and had a workshop or performance cancel at very little notice which puts me in a mess as this dance thing is my job-no money- no nothing!!

Yes, this is the ethical way to handle bookings. A written contract with a cancellation clause could protect you in cases of the promoter canceling you, you would still get paid.

Originally Posted by Chandra

Unfortunately not, as was someone I know (and trustED),
And this person didn't just burn me - but the partner they were to be working w/ for this event as well.

You can bet that am gonna have a contract
(for anything/everything) in the future!

Good fences make good neighbors, and good contracts make good dance friends.

I think it's even *more* important to have a contract when you're working with friends. When working with a stranger, you stand to lose money and to damage your professional reputation. When you work with a friend, you stand to loose all of that AND the friendship AND all the potential work you'd be getting through that friend.

If anybody is uncomfortable with the "C" word, call it an agreement, or ask them for input ("is this what you had in mind?"), or sit down with them and draft it together.