FIRST OFF . . .

Eleven members of Actors’ Equity Assn. have filed formal charges against the union’s Western Advisory Board, alleging that a March Waiver Theatre referendum violated Equity’s constitution and bylaws, membership resolutions and voting rules. The membership approved an Equity-proposed 99-seat Actors’ Theatre Plan that would become effective Oct. 3. It would radically modify the existing Equity Waiver Plan (whereby Equity “waives” certain rules in theaters with fewer than 100 seats). The charges were filed by Barbara Beckley, Maria Gobetti, Salome Jens, Valerie Landsburg, Tom Ormeny, Allan Miller, Greg Mullavey, Linda Purl, Joe Stern, Michael Wadler and Jon Voight. They requested through their attorneys that Equity executive secretary Alan Eisenberg select a hearing committee within the union to rule on the matter. Eisenberg could not be reached for comment. Equity’s Western Regional Director, Edward Weston, said Friday that he had not seen a copy of the letter or charges sent to Eisenberg and could have no comment.