Newbie has a question

Actors' Equity Association is the labor union representing over 45,000 American actors and stage managers working in the professional theatre.
For 90 years, Equity has negotiated minimum wages and working conditions, administered contracts, and enforced the provisions of our various agreements with theatrical employers across the country.

http://www.actorsequity.org/home.html

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I think you should see any show you can regardless of it's union status.

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Oh GOOD! I would hate to think that I was contributing to screwing these actors out of the compensation they so greatly deserve.

Even from the second balcony of my season passes (all FOUR shows) to the Broadway Series of my local theater, live theater is just the best.

oh come now, we all have to start somehwhere. even if these are just amateurs, they need support so that they can grow and become more professional. go and support non-equity!

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The argument in the past is that First National Tours should be Equity. Non-Equity actors can "start out" like actors have for decades---regional theatre and in bus and truck tours.

Quality can be an issue, but the main issue is that non-Equity actors and stage managers are not guaranteed the same pay, safety, and protections that Equity actors and stage managers are via the rules set by the 90+ year old union.

Every non-Equity touring actor and stage manager I know has said that while they usually enjoyed the experience, it was not the most ideal. Living situations could be bad, time between travel and performance can be bad, no overtime, having to move sets (not in character), etc. These are not the things a professional actor or stage manager should have to contend with--and certainly do not in an Equity production, whether on Broadway or in a regional theatre.

I do applaud those non-Equity producers who do offer pay and conditions comparable to Equity's.

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Updated On: 11/18/05 at 09:50 PM

Well, then you should definitely support them!

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