Equity Actors — Page 2

that's SOOO frustrating to me.

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why can't we all be sutton fosters...and just have someone go...hey you're amazing. THE END.

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amen to that matthius. lol. Question though: say I became Equity from doing a show or w/e... but if I went to a city far from NY could I still not do a non-eq show there? Or if technically not are they gonna check and make sure? I know someone at a theatre where I have done stuff who is a "proud member of equity", but the theatre is non-eq and everything.

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Once you join Equity, you may not act without an Equity contract or permission from Equity. Sometimes Equity will give you the ok to do a non-Equity project, especially if you live far from Equity theatres. Sometime a non-Equity theatre can use a guest Equity contract. People who do not follow procedure can get into a lot of trouble.

The person who is auditioning for SETC--if an Equity theatre wants you at that audition, go for it. It's really not as "political" and maddening as it probably seems to some of you right now.

The advise is this--don't join Equity until you are ready. And auditioning is easier in NYC if you are Equity--but you don't have to be Equity to get an Equity job. If they want to hire you, they will make you Equity. And in most cases (though not all has we all have seen bad performances) if you are good enought to get hired in the part, you are good enough to be Equity. It's a personal decision.

But I don't see it as being such a dilemna. If you want to act on Broadway, you have to be Equity. If that's your goal, then work towards it. If not, then stay non-Equity.

If you want to do film, you have to join SAG. If that's your goal, work towards it.

But these are non-profits unions that, good or bad, are there to protect an actor and/or stage manager's rights and wages, etc. And if it's not your thing, then don't do it.

There have been many brutal fights on here about the subject that I just have no desire to go through again. For me, I want to work on Broadway, Off-Broadway, National Tours, and leading roles in regional theatre. So, the choice to work towards becoming an Equity actor was simple. It was always a given.

And after years of working in non-Equity theatres, I got tired of the low or no wages and even more tired of the shotty working conditions and scheduling problems. I went to school and have spent many years working on my craft. I felt (and every performer should) that I deserved to be treated better and compensated for my work. I should be able to make a living as an actor when I have the chance to do a show. For some people, it's a hobby--and there is nothing wrong with that.

So, you just have to make those decisions for yourself. What do you want? And how do you get there?

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oh that is so wrong in EVERY way.

1. Yes, Equity protects the actors who are members, but you make it sound like some kind of elitist club. It's not. If you are good enough to get work, you can become Equity.

2. How dare you say that an actor doesn't deserve a good wage for their work? And do you realize how much money an actor has to put into their career? And those actors on Broadway (even in the chrous) have business expenses, too: agents, voice lessons, gym, dance classes etc. to be able to do the work that I would think someone who is a member of THIS board would appreciate. Do you really only think doctors and lawyers deserve good wages? Shouldn't you care more about the people working in a field that you are interested in?

This is a VERY competitive field. EVERYBODY wants to be on Broadway. You are not ENTITLED to be on Broadway just cuz you want it and just cuz you'd take scraps for pay.

I'm sorry, but "one's opinion" or not, every single dissenting opinion I read about Equity is obviously written by someone who is a bitter actor or works on the producing end. Or just flat out doesn't know jack about professional theatre.

And all I can say on that is--think what you what to think. Those of you who either want to work in professional theatre or love and support professional theatre will understand what I am trying to say.

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Updated On: 2/16/05 at 02:55 AM

Now--those are valid issues, camthom. And, I would like to say that even though I have disagreed with you on a couple of things, my above comments were not aimed at you.

There are problems, and Equity needs to be a stronger union like SAG.

The irony is that if Equity became as strong as SAG, then those who hate Equity altogether would be even more mad because all professional theatre would be Equity (all professional film work is SAG).

Yes, there are more roles for non-Equity shows. But, I would rather wait for the Equity parts than go back to those conditions and wages. That works for me. Each person has to make their own choice--if one wants to quit Equity to do more shows, they should. But anyone who wants to work on Broadway has to put up with the system, which at its best does work for the actors and stage managers.

And, yes, the issue with Equity running up the costs of a show are ridiculous--the actors' wages are the lowest percentage of the budget.

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You don't even want to try to figure our the CAT (Chicago Area Theatre) Contracts and Equity.

There one there was non-Equity theatre last season, which is now technically an Equity Theatre because they hired two Equity actors per production regardingless for how large the cast is. And since they do musicals their casts are usually very large.

Doesn't that really sound like a non-Equity theatre who is able to get two exemptions from Equity per show? The remainder of the talented non-Equity cast is making peanuts.

Updated On: 2/16/05 at 11:05 AM

Not to argue, JRB...but if I understand you correctly...

A theatre can hire a couple of Equity actors, an Equity stage manager, follow Equity rules regarding breaks, run-throughs, etc...while the remainder of the onstage talent is non-Equity...

And call it an "Equity" production?

Updated On: 2/16/05 at 12:30 PM

BWAYboi, you are so wrong.

I don't know of a single regional theatre that is ALL equity. There are minimums set for a theatre's season. And certain roles are determined to be Equity contract roles.

In a musical, it's usually that half the chorus must be Equity. I believe that principal roles are the same, depending on the theatre. I have played a principal role as a non-Equity actor at a major regional theatre.

In addition, right to work states such as Texas allow a non-Equity actor to take an Equity contract without joining Equity. This was my situation in 2000. I wasn't ready to join Equity, so I didn't. But I was on (and paid and treated) an Equity contract.

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woohoo..i got ya'll riled up. :)

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Actually, I can work 52 weeks a year as an equity actor and still never have my cavities filled, as Equity took away any dental coverage two years ago.

I work plenty and actually have health insurance, but it's not through equity. My craft is plenty honed and I've received plenty of acclaim for what I've done, but speaking for the 98% of Equity actors who are not currently working, as well as the more than 99% of equity actors who are uninsured through equity, we joined the union for protection, and we simply are not getting what we bargained for.

bwayboi--guess what! that dude in your avatar---is EQUITY. That entire cast is. Equity is not going to crash. I think you are very ignorant on the subject--and THAT is one reason you will never convince anybody of anything.

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