Equity Calls
Equity Calls
Broadway Star Joined: 1/23/06
Equity Calls#1
Posted: 4/29/07 at 3:34pmHow often do they see non union people at an equity call? I have heard stories of poeple going to the equity call that are not in a union and getting seen and called back. Is this common?
re: Equity Calls#2
Posted: 4/29/07 at 6:44pmIf I remember correctly......non equity performers may be seen after all equity actors have been seen......more often than not the non-equity actor is not seen because of lack of time...
re: Equity Calls#3
Posted: 4/30/07 at 9:14amIt is true, it really depends on the popularity of the show (if it is already running). At the Wicked call they flat out said that they weren't going to see Non-Equity on the notice. So basically, there is always a chance to be seen, but it is never a for sure thing.
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/30/05
re: Equity Calls#4
Posted: 4/30/07 at 1:10pm
I have found it's enormously helpful to be an EMC. Someone said that above, but I can't stress it enough. It means you're experienced enough to have been cast and worked at an Equity theatre before, which is always good to show.
I've been to MANY EPAs where the EMCs got through but the straight up non-equity didn't.
Joined: 12/31/69
Stand-by Joined: 9/29/06
re: Equity Calls#6
Posted: 4/30/07 at 8:46pm
Yeah!
I never really understood how to get into it, besides waiting for the possible chance after a call...
re: Equity Calls#7
Posted: 4/30/07 at 10:56pm
So the ways you can be Equity:
1. you can (with a lot of luck) get cast in a broadway show which you would have to join the union.
2. gain points by doing regional theatre work in respected equity theaters (they have a list on the equity website)
3. buy your way in from any of the sister unions, AGVA, SAG, and so on.
I think those are the only ways, correct me if I am wrong.
At the auditions, you sign up on the non-equity list (if they are seeing non-eq) and wait for the opportunity to be seen. At chorus calls they wait til all the equity and EMC and etc go before they think about seeing the non-eq. At principal calls they fill gaps in the times between people with non-eq if there is time. Keyword IF.
Hope that helps
re: Equity Calls#8
Posted: 5/1/07 at 9:36am
Any theatre company or production working under an Equity Contract (not a Letter of Agreement, there is a difference) may offer a non union actor an equity contract. Examples of this are the many children's theatre tours that audition in NYC and tour the country. They operate under a TYA contract and any non union actors hired must join equity. A significant number of Equity Actors have gotten their cards through TYA contracts.
Many small Off Broadway productions offer the same opportunity. Unfortuneately Broadway and high end Off Broadway productions seldom provide an opportunity to join (but it does happen).
Be a rock star or appear on American Idol and I am sure you will get a part in "Rent" or "Hairspray" and be given your union card (lol)...no real talent needed to apply.
As the provious post mentions the Equity Membership Candidate program is another way that a signigicant number of young actors have obtained their care.
Except on rare occasions,most regional theatres will not offer a local actor the opportunity to work under an Equity contract, even if given a principal role. Then the theatre would have to pay the actor a livable wage and pay retirement benefits etc.
When you ask the question, "How do I join Equity", you open a whole can of worms........many of us union actors (sag, aftra and AEA) believe our unions have to restrictive cirteria for admission, especially Equity. In my opinion this restrictive policy is a major reason for the proliferation of non-union tours, which were unheard of when I was a young actor......It is sad that many of our young 'Equity'members support this restrictive policy because they believe the fewer union members the more working opportunities for them. Nothing could be further from the truth. The more Equity members the fewer talented actors available for these non-union tours......I do not support the theory that 'anyone' should be able to join our union. However when a student completes a BA or MA in theatre performance or successfully completes a conservatory program, they are SUPPOSED to have skills that would enable them to work in our profession. I feel that these young actors should be able to present their transcripts to a membership committee and after the transcript is reviewed be allowed to join AEA.........allow me one more random thought.......I have seen many of these non union tours.....not bad, talented young actors....but not the same quality as a major equity tour......it is upsetting to me that the producers of these shows are charging the public the same ticket prices as a equity tour but not passing the benefits on to the actor....that's why we need AEA
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