Open Calls/AEA Equity Calls

#1

Open Calls/AEA Equity Calls

Posted: 3/28/07 at 1:26pm

Does anyone on here actually KNOW of someone, or have themselves been cast from an open call, or gone to an equity call as a non-equity actor and gotten cast? I was just curious to see if it is actually worth the time as a non-equity actor to attend some of those equity chorus and principal calls? I've been to a couple, but it just seems to be a requirement that they fulfill, and not that they are actually looking at anyone seriously for roles? Thanks for the input

#2

re: Open Calls/AEA Equity Calls

Posted: 3/28/07 at 1:35pm

I know someone who is not Equity and not only got in but also had several callbacks for Les Miserables last spring.

#3

re: Open Calls/AEA Equity Calls

Posted: 3/28/07 at 1:37pm

Non-Equity members definitely get cast from open calls. It's not a myth.

---

Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson

#4

re: Open Calls/AEA Equity Calls

Posted: 3/28/07 at 1:39pm

"gone to an equity call as a non-equity actor and gotten cast"

Kristin Chenoweth is a famous example...

#5

re: Open Calls/AEA Equity Calls

Posted: 3/28/07 at 1:43pm

oh wow...so true..I totally forgot about Kristin Cheno. Interesting....

#6

re: Open Calls/AEA Equity Calls

Posted: 3/28/07 at 2:07pm

Jose Llana for The King And I.

---

"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt

#7

re: Open Calls/AEA Equity Calls

Posted: 3/28/07 at 2:13pm

What show was Kristin Cheno cast in as non-equity?

---

Going to a musical late in its run is like going to a prostitute late in her shift.

#8

re: Open Calls/AEA Equity Calls

Posted: 3/28/07 at 2:28pm

I got cast in the Shrek worshop from the first EPA... although with about 20 people in the show.. I think 2 of us actually auditioned at EPA

#9

re: Open Calls/AEA Equity Calls

Posted: 3/28/07 at 2:37pm

Kristin was cast at the Paper Mill Playhouse. I can't remember the show right off-hand. She was there to just support a friend who was going to audition and decided to audition as well. She has the story on the Actor's Equity website, under the "how I got my card" section.

#10

re: Open Calls/AEA Equity Calls

Posted: 3/28/07 at 2:38pm

"She was there to just support a friend who was going to audition"

With support like that...

---

Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson

#11

re: Open Calls/AEA Equity Calls

Posted: 3/28/07 at 4:31pm

lol..>THANK YOU...at least be smart enough to bring someone who sucks with you..

#12

re: Open Calls/AEA Equity Calls

Posted: 3/28/07 at 4:37pm

Donna Murphy got her first Broadway job (THEY'RE PLAYING OUR SONG) through an open call while still an undergrad at NYU. Most of the OBC of MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG (Jason Alexander, Tonya Pinkins, et al) were college students with no Equity credits when they were cast.

Didn't the 42ND STREET revival have a tap dance contest open to the public to cast a couple members of the ensemble?

There are LOTS of performers who got their first Broadway gig through non-Equity open calls.

---

"What a story........ everything but the bloodhounds snappin' at her rear end." -- Birdie [http://margochanning.broadwayworld.com/] "The Devil Be Hittin' Me" -- Whitney

#13

re: Open Calls/AEA Equity Calls

Posted: 3/28/07 at 4:39pm

A large number of the cast of the 1989 GYPSY revival were non-Equity when they were cast through open calls as well.

---

Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson

#14

re: Open Calls/AEA Equity Calls

Posted: 3/28/07 at 4:41pm

"Kristin was cast at the Paper Mill Playhouse. I can't remember the show right off-hand. She was there to just support a friend who was going to audition and decided to audition as well. She has the story on the Actor's Equity website, under the "how I got my card" section."

Was it Animal Crackers? I think it was, but I'm not sure.

#15

re: Open Calls/AEA Equity Calls

Posted: 3/28/07 at 6:14pm

Allvocal -- Who did you play in the Shrek workshop? Tell me it was Gingy - my favorite!

#16

re: Open Calls/AEA Equity Calls

Posted: 3/28/07 at 9:08pm

this is all such great info...thank you guys so much...I guess my other part to this question is this...you have all mentioned college-age people that have gotten jobs on open calls...what about adults? Like those of us in the over 40 range.....anyone gotten their first Broadway gig from an open call as an adult? Again, thanks for all the info...it's been great!

#17

re: Open Calls/AEA Equity Calls

Posted: 3/28/07 at 9:24pm

I'm pretty sure it was Charlie Brown.

#18

re: Open Calls/AEA Equity Calls

Posted: 3/28/07 at 9:56pm

Rosa, YAGMCB was Kristin's second Broadway show.

#19

re: Open Calls/AEA Equity Calls

Posted: 3/29/07 at 9:28am

I just went back and read the Actor's Equity article from her....it was Animal Crackers at the Paper Mill