Equity Chorus Calls

[ThePinballWizard]

Posted: 8/27/07 at 3:58pm

Forgive me if this has been posted before (I did a search and came up with vague answers)

If a non equity actor went out to an Equity Chorus Call for an Equity Production(Wicked, Les Mis, Rent, etc). Are they seen? I know that some offer non-equity sign up and if time permits then they are able to audition. How does that work?

[COOOOLkid]

Posted: 8/27/07 at 4:00pm

It's not that hard to find out.

https://www.playbill.com/news/article/110028.html

[ThePinballWizard]

Posted: 8/27/07 at 4:02pm

Sorry..I did the search on this site and didn't even think to look at Playbill.

Sorry guys.

[Vespertine1228]

Posted: 8/27/07 at 4:05pm

Chorus calls are run differently than EPAs. For chorus calls, Equity members can sign up a week in advance on a numbered list at the Equity building. These lists are posted on clipboards next to the non-member lists for a given day's auditions on the 2nd floor.

At the beginning of the call, the monitor will read off ALL the Equity names on the sign-up list and then number people up. The monitor will then take all the Equity people who didn't previously sign up and give them numbers.

Based on the number of names present and the time allotted for the call, the monitor will likely announce if non-equity will be seen or not. You should sign yourself up on the non-equity list, which should be available at the table.

Then you wait around and might or might not get seen. While I've had great success getting seen at EPAs, ECCs are generally more crowded and you can never tell how crowded they'll be because people sign their friends up or sign up with no real intention of going or something comes up, etc.

In my experience, ECCs are not worth going to as a non-equity unless you're a great dancer. But you never know.

[ThePinballWizard]

Posted: 8/27/07 at 4:09pm

What about if it's ECC for singers? If it's for a popular show like Wicked, do you think non equity would be seen if at all?

[Vespertine1228]

Posted: 8/27/07 at 4:19pm

I would go only if you don't have another audition you'd be better suited for that day.

While many actors have shaky dance training, the huge majority of us can--or at least think we can--sing. The idea of being in a popular show with job security is appealing. Many, many people will show up.

Remember that there's a good chance of waiting around all day with only disappointing results, but you should have a better idea of what you're in for once the Equity people get numbered up. You should definitely give it a try if you've never been to one before so you don't feel afraid to do it in the future.

[ThePinballWizard]

Posted: 8/27/07 at 4:46pm

Well I guess I'm just taking a gamble. I had promised myself that if another ECC came up that I would go. And I am going. If it doesn't pan out, then it doesn't pan out. But at least I tried. :-/

[lovepuppy]

Posted: 8/27/07 at 7:50pm

I was wondering similar questions.

Including...why is the sign-up for one audition I'm aware of starting at 9:30am?? I never knew Equity auditions, or any, for that matter, for singers, would start at that hour. How can producers expect singers to be on their game when they practically just woke up? :) Early day for those folks, in order to warm up, fo' sho'.

[ThePinballWizard]

Posted: 8/27/07 at 7:58pm

Well honestly, I am prepared for auditions at any hour in the morning. I had several callbacks for a show that were early in the morning at around 830 am or so. So it just depends. But let me put it to you this way...

I remember that if you're performing on The Today Show...I think the performers had to be up at 5 am for an 8:30 am performance or something like that.

I believe Eden had to sing Once Upon A Time at 8:30 in the morning. So imagine that.

Just be ready for anything.

[lovepuppy]

Posted: 8/27/07 at 8:06pm

Yes, of course, kind of making light of it. But it's posted on the listing, so, so be it.

Speaking of callbacks, do ECC's have chorus callbacks too, or do they just cast who they want from the initial audition day?

[ThePinballWizard]

Posted: 8/27/07 at 8:13pm

I would think that would be a very rare occasion. I would think that they would have to have callbacks.

[Switz78]

Posted: 8/27/07 at 8:14pm

there are always callbacks

and Wicked has yet to see non-eq at a chorus call be it singer or dance. the last ecc for singers was cut to 8 bars because there were so many people there.

[alfgiotir]

Posted: 8/27/07 at 8:38pm

^sry, but my friend went for an audition and he is not in Equity. by the way, he would have made it had it had he been 2 inches taller.

[ThePinballWizard]

Posted: 8/27/07 at 8:54pm

Switz is that true for auditions on both sides of the country? Since it is insanely popular, I can imagine that being true. But I guess you never know.

[chinto1984]

Posted: 8/28/07 at 12:08am

The dancers I've known have been more successful at equity auditions than the singers. And the singers were good. In LA it is a little easier mainly because the theatres are smaller and the shows have short runs. Most regional theatres have to cast a certain number of equity. So if it is a big show you have greater chances of getting in. Usually an equity lead is hired so they can have a name. But sometimes they'll hire special dancers if needed. Good luck though in New York.

[lovepuppy]

Posted: 8/28/07 at 1:04am

Interesting info. Do they operate the same way in places where they have an open-ended sit-down, like in Chicago? It's been there for a couple of years now.

[HOUFlip04]

Posted: 8/28/07 at 10:25am

Chicago has slightly different rules. Look at actorsequity.org, click document library, then Auditions and there are pdf files on that and LA and NYC audition procedures. Or try the link below - if it works.

Actor's Equity Website

Updated On: 8/28/07 at 10:25 AM

[theminutepast]

Posted: 9/19/15 at 10:27pm

I'm non-union looking to try my luck at an upcoming ECC. How late do they usually go if they start at 10 am? Can a friend sign you up on the non-equity list? I can't get away from work until 5 pm and it's already a long shot, but just wondering.

Updated On: 9/19/15 at 10:27 PM

[MarioSonic24601]

Posted: 8/8/18 at 1:39am

Vespertine1228 said: "Chorus calls are run differently than EPAs. For chorus calls, Equity members can sign up a week in advance on a numbered list at the Equity building. These lists are posted on clipboards next to the non-member lists for a given day's auditions on the 2nd floor.

At the beginning of the call, the monitor will read off ALL the Equity names on the sign-up list and then number people up. The monitor will then take all the Equity people who didn't previously sign up and give them numbers.

Based on the number of names present and the time allotted for the call, the monitor will likely announce if non-equity will be seen or not. You should sign yourself up on the non-equity list, which should be available at the table.

Then you wait around and might or might not get seen. While I've had great success getting seen at EPAs, ECCs are generally more crowded and you can never tell how crowded they'll be because people sign their friends up or sign up with no real intention of going or something comes up, etc.

In my experience, ECCs are not worth going to as a non-equity unless you're a great dancer. But you never know."

Wait, are you saying non-union actors are more likely to be seen at EPAs than ECCs? I was told at a recent Broadway intensive I attended that non-unions are more likely to be seen at ECCs, specifically the dance one (but I've never been to an ECC or an EPA so I don't know for sure). I plan on auditioning for an upcoming national tour and I feel really confident that I'm right for the lead, but since I'm not equity I was originally planning on going to the ECC. But if I'm more likely to be seen at the EPA, I'll certainly go there. Can I get any more input on this here? I'd hate to spend all this money to fly to New York for an audition just to not be seen:/// (However I have been told by professionals that if they're not seeing non-unions, you can ask to at least give them your headshot and resume:)