This arguement pops up every once in a while. Non-Eq does not equal trash, for most, it equals a start. An actor has to start somewhere. If you have the right connections, you can get an Equity card easier and get your start that way, but most don't have those connections: they just need to get noticed. What better way to get noticed than in a non-Eq tour.
True, the producers of these tours shouldn't bill the shows as 'direct from Broadway'. And, true, the actors aren't treated the best. But, its a chance at something bigger.
The season at our theatre was announced and for ONE night *i think Feb 20 something* TMM is coming...i think it's professional since the theatre gets Broadway tours in usually but who knows?
and all that I could do because of you was talk of love...
Battling Millie threads!!! The Equity tour ends, a theater in Massachusetts screws it up, and an arts high school in L.A. does it quite extraordinarily. Amazing coincidence at BWW.com!
For those of you in Connecticut, the non-Equity tour is stopping at the Garde Arts Center in New London. I'm not sure when, but I read this in the newspaper a few months ago when the Garde released their next season of the Broadway series.
Waywicked...I am so tired of people forgetting their roots. I don't know if you are an actor or an audience member, but so many people forget how hard it is to get into Equity. I am happy to be a working actor...that is the main thing isn't it? We all get so entrenched in "what's fair" and "non-equity tours taking advantage of audience members", etc. etc. But the point is, audience members have loved our show...we are going to places that Equity tours won't go, thus allowing theatrically inclined people in those areas to see a musical. The other point is, non-equity tours provide opportunities for people to make a living doing what they love without having to join a union. Why don't you just go and audition for your equity productions and leave ours alone...I have yet to hear any complaints about our production! Thank you to all of you on this thread that support our show and non-equity productions...who knows I may also become bitter when I become Equity and suddenly am not working.
By the way Steven...Mara is planning on doing another year of 42nd Street. I think we all would have liked to audition for Millie, but it was impossible to do so on the road. I am excited to hear more about the cast though...
Forgive me if this is a stupid question, but what does one have to do to get into Equity? I'm just curious to know.
"You drank a charm to kill John Proctor's wife! You drank a charm to kill Goody Proctor!" - Betty Parris to Abigail Williams in Arthur Miller's The Crucible
