Everything You Need to Know about Joining Actor's Equity
By Aaron Starmer
In the words of the Actor's Equity constitution, it exists "to advance, promote, foster, and benefit all those connected with the art of the theatre." Actors Equity is a union that maintains minimum salaries, work rules and safe working conditions, while providing access to worker's compensation insurance, health and pension benefits, and dispute resolution services. Membership currently exceeds 45,000 actors and stage members.
To become eligible for membership, there are three paths you can take:
- Producers will sometimes hire non-Equity actors under Equity contracts. If you are acting under an Equity contract, you are eligible to join. There may be length of employment conditions to meet, but your eligibility only lasts as long as you are working so you should join right away while you're eligible.
- You may also join Equity if you are a member of at least one of the "Four A" (Associated Actors and Artistes of America) unions which are SAG, AFTRA, AGMA (American Guild of Musical Artists) and AGVA (American Guild of Variety Artists). You are eligible if you've paid your dues, been a member for a year, and had at least one speaking part or three background parts, and you will need a written statement attesting to those facts.
- Finally, you can take part in the Equity Membership Candidate Program. This is a training program designed to get actors out there and working. You must find a participating Equity theater (or theaters), pay a $100 registration fee, and work at least 50 weeks as an actor or stage manager. Once you complete this, you have a five-year window to join Equity.
Fees for joining are currently $1,100, but you are only required to contribute $400 when applying and have two years to pay the rest. Yearly dues are currently $118, paid in two installments. All actors must also contribute working dues, which constitute 2.25% of all earnings, taken directly as payroll deductions. Equity flexible payment schedule is set up to reflect the instability of a career in theater.
Equity members must follow certain codes of conduct. Most importantly, you are forbidden from rehearsing and performing without a contract. There are a few exceptions to this rule, involving religious and educational productions, but exceptions are only valid with written consent from Equity.
Once you are working, you are expected to perform as directed and as well as possible, to be on time for rehearsals, to cooperate and discuss disputes with stage managers-to basically be a productive, hardworking actor. But that's why you've joined Equity in the first place, right?
In return, you can take advantage of Equity-only auditions, discounts, seminars, tax assistance, and voting privileges. As the union itself attests, one of the most valuable benefits is access to the wisdom and experiences of Equity staff. They're always on hand at your local Equity office, willing to answer questions and address concerns. They'll do what they can to make sure you're working and happy.
For more information visit: www.actorsequity.org
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