What is Equity

EQUITY AT A GLANCE







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WHERE DID WE COME FROM?

Before Actors’ Equity, actors and stage managers had little control In 1916, Fred Niblo wrote in Equity Magazine, “The pride of art is really

over their careers or even their lives. Rehearsing without pay, being a wonderful thing…but the moment you allow it to break out and run

stranded throughout the country after shows closed on the road, wild, it becomes a serious menace to the dinner table.” When Equity

paying for their own costumes, and far worse abuses: this was an was first formed, many actors refused to see themselves as workers. As

actor’s life before May 26, 1913. On that day, 112 actors gathered at an actor at an early membership meeting commented, “what we

the Pabst Grand Circle Hotel in New have cannot be capitalized. What we

York City to form a union. William give cannot be weighed and

Courtleigh had suggested the name “We hereby constitute ourselves a voluntary measured!” This has always been Equity’s

that seemed to encompass what they Association to advance, promote, foster, struggle: to be seen, not as self-denying

were fighting for: Actors’ Equity. and benefit all those connected with the ascetics who care only for Art with a

For the next several years, Equity art of the theatre and particularly the capital “A,” but as people who workthe

a living, proud workers who deserve

for



struggled for recognition against profession of acting and the conditions of same consideration and respect as

producers, managers and even some persons engaged therein…” anyone else.

of its own uncertain membership. In

1917, an agreement was reached, but Whether it’s standing against segregation

- from the Preamble to Equity’s Constitution, Adopted 1913

very few producers used it. When Francis both in the audience and on stage,

Wilson, Equity’s first President, asked a fighting the blacklists of the 1950s,

manager when he would start to use the contract, the producer’s banding together to stem the tide of AIDS, or combating the proliferation

reply was very simple: ”When you make me.” of non-Union tours throughout the country, the members of Actors’

Equity have worked together for more than 90 years to earn that

In 1919, Equity made them. Broadway went dark for the first time as a respect. So whenever you go to an audition, start rehearsals, call a

general strike was called. During a long, hot August, 37 productions cue or take a bow, Equity stands behind you. Working together for the

were closed down at a loss of $3 million. The producers finally recognized dignity of all those connected with the art of the theatre, the struggle

Equity and signed a binding five-year agreement. Before the strike, will continue…

Equity had 2,777 members. After the strike, it had grown to 14,000.

WHAT IS EQUITY? WORKING FOR YOU

Actors' Equity is the union of over 45,000 American Auditions: Most agreements require employers to hold principal

actors and stage managers working in the professional and chorus auditions, including separate auditions for Equity

theatre. Equity seeks to advance, promote and foster members. Audition notices are posted on Equity's website and on

the art of live theatre as an essential component of Casting Hotlines in various Area Liaison cities. In 2006, over 1,100

our society. Equity negotiates minimum wages and calls were held in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, while

working conditions, providing a wide range of benefits, hundreds more were held in other cities.

including health and pension plans. Through its affiliation with the

4As, AEA is a member of the AFL-CIO and is also affiliated with FIA, Dispute resolution: Having a dispute with an employer? Equity

an international organization of performing arts unions. protects you through grievance procedures and binding arbitration.

Let Equity help!

In everything from strict payment standards to safety conditions,

from pension and health to a decades-long battle against Creating Equal Opportunity: Equity has always been in the forefront

discrimination, Equity has fought, time and time again, for the of struggles against discrimination in the theatre and has led the

dignity of the performer. When you become a professional, Equity

way for decades in the fight for non-traditional casting. Casting

is your voice.

policies designed to expand employment opportunities for women,

seniors, actors of color and performers with disabilities are provided

AFL-CIO in all agreements.



Associated Actors and Artistes of America (4As) Agency Regulations: Equity franchises agents who follow agreed-

upon commission rates and regulations. A franchised Agent Directory

can be found in the Members Only section of the website.

AEA AFTRA AGMA AGVA SAG Equity members may only sign with franchised agents.









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WHAT DO I GET? WHAT DO I GIVE?

Contract Benefits Member Responsibilities

• Payment standards: This has been the main focus of Equity’s • Never rehearse or perform without a signed Equity contract.

work for over 90 years: making sure Equity members are treated • Pay your dues on time (May and November).

fairly in terms of minimum salary, extra pay for extra duties, overtime,

• Keep your contact information up-to-date, register for the

and per diem or housing when on tour.

Members Only section of the website.

• Work rules: With ever-changing stage technology, Equity has

• Give your best possible performance.

kept its eye on safety issues, like raked stages, smoke and haze

exposure, and sanitary rules, as well as limits on rehearsal time. • File a copy of your contract no later than first rehearsal.

• Guaranteed Paycheck: Equity requires most producers to post • Make no unauthorized changes in performance, costume,

a bond to ensure payments. This means that even if a show closes, make-up or hairstyle.

or a producer defaults, you still get paid and you still get home. • Be on time for rehearsals and the scheduled half-hour.

• Getting work: Over the years, Equity has negotiated required • Notify the Stage Manager before half-hour if you are ill or

auditions for principal and chorus performers, including separate unable to reach the theatre in time.

auditions for Equity members. • Get involved. Join a Committee. VOTE.

• Pension and health plans: Since 1960, producers have had to

pay into pension and health trust funds.



Did you know that...

Equity can help: Equity has always been in the forefront in helping Fifteen percent of our members work primarily as Stage

with the struggles of actors. From taxes to equal opportunity; Managers, coordinating the production during rehearsal

Actors’ Federal Credit Union to unemployment claims; and through and performance periods, and maintaining the artistic

charitable organizations, including the Actors’ Equity Foundation, intentions of the director after the opening of the show. They

the Actors’ Fund of America, the Actors’ Work Program, Broadway maintain the prompt book, cue sheets and other records

Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Career Transition for Dancers, and many that are essential to the running of a show, and they are a

more, Equity is there for you. vital part of AEA.

CONTRACTS DUES FEES AND MEMBERSHIP

A contract is a negotiated, binding agreement between Equity Equity is completely funded by members’ initiation fees and dues.

members and their employers. For years, most actors worked without After earning your membership, Equity’s initiation fee must be paid

contract, without security of any kind. Denouncing this state of in full within a two-year period. Equity dues are paid in two ways:

affairs, Frank Gilmore said bitterly, “Ours is not a profession. It isn’t basic dues are paid each May and November; working dues, a

even a trade. It hasn’t percentage of your gross salary income (which does not include

even the dignity of a contractually-mandated per diem monies) is automatically

When should I file my contract? vocation. It’s only a deducted from your paycheck by your employer on behalf of

A copy of your contract should be

job! And half the Equity.

filed no later than first rehearsal.

time we don’t get

paid for it!” Equity’s Whenever you decide that the time is right to earn your Equity

purpose has always membership, you will be joining a long line of theatrical artists who

been to change this: to create a binding contract that would have shown the world that acting is not only a job, but a profession

provide security for both the actor and the employer. Today, Equity of influence and dignity.

negotiates and administers more than 30 national and regional

contracts which cover jobs in three categories: Principal, Chorus

and Stage Manager. The Principal contract (sometimes referred “What’s in a name?” As an actor, your name is everything –

to as a “white contract”) is used for all principal actors and most just ask Archibald Leach, Alphonso D'Abruzzo and Bernice

stage managers. The Chorus contract (sometimes referred to as Frankel (that is, Cary Grant, Alan Alda and Bea Arthur!).

the “pink” contract) is used for those actors who are primarily Because names are so important to an actor, Equity cannot

performing chorus work. issue you a professional name that is identical (or similar

sounding) to that of an already current member. If a conflict

exists, you will be advised when you join.









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HOW DO I GET INVOLVED? HOW DO I FIND OUT MORE?

Throughout the history of Equity, single strong voices have often An informed union is a strong union; information is the lifeblood of

made the difference. Equity is a member-run organization; from Actors’ Equity. Equity members catch up on the latest news from

committees to Regional Boards, from Council to the President, a variety of sources:

members run the show! Once you earn your Equity membership,

there are many ways you can become involved: • Equity News newsletter: Published monthly and snail-mailed to

each Equity member, Equity News offers reliable and detailed

• Join a committee: There are committees dealing with issues news, updates on contract negotiations, and articles placing

from chorus affairs, to stage managers, young performers, contract today’s news in historical context. Equity News serves as a forum

areas, Area Liaisons, EEO, filming and taping, agency regulations for Council Candidates and features an expansive letters page

and more, so from your first day of membership it is easy to make where members from around the country voice their opinions and

your voice heard. Committee applications are available in your concerns.

local Equity office.

• The Actors’ Equity web site: By clicking on www.actorsequity.org,

• Vote or run for office: from committees to Council, Actors’ Equity Equity members can access Casting Call 24/7 for current audition

is governed by its members. Elections for Council positions are held notices, as well as update their member contact and financial

on an annual basis. Want to change things? Vote - or better yet information. Other features include news from each of Equity's

– run! regions, crucial announcements, touring and negotiations updates,

important events and meetings, a extensive document library of

• Let your voice be heard: the website or Equity News often Equity contracts and codes,

becomes a forum on issues facing union members. Equity officials alerts about non-Equity

are quick to reply to questions and concerns. productions, a year-by-year Don’t miss out on a job! Make

timeline of Equity history, sure your contact information

is up-to-date. You can

• Volunteer: Actors’ Equity offers many opportunities to volunteer and, of course, the Gypsy

manage your Profile in the

and help your fellow members, by joining a committee, becoming Robe! Recent additions to

Members Only section of the

Area Liaison, or assisting in the Educational Outreach program. the web site have allowed

website.

members both to vote and

to pay dues online.

NATIONAL/EASTERN OFFICE Equity is a national organization that is Policy shaping and the ultimate decision

165 West 46th St. divided into three administrative regions: making power resides with the Council.

New York, NY 10036 an Eastern Region, a Central Region and Council Officers and Councillors are

212-869-8530

a Western Region. The Union as a whole is elected by secret mail or online ballot from

CENTRAL REGIONAL OFFICE supervised by an Executive Director, and the membership and receive no

125 S. Clark St., Suite 1500 each region is administered by its own compensation for their many hours of

Chicago, IL 60603 Regional Director. service. The Councillor seats are distributed

312-641-0393

among Equity’s three geographic regions,

WESTERN REGIONAL OFFICE determined by the proportion of

5757 Wilshire Blvd., Suite One both the regional membership

Los Angeles, CA 90036 and working members in each

323-634-1750 contract category.

Orlando Office

10319 Orangewood Blvd.

Orlando, FL 32821

407-345-8600





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San Francisco Office

350 Sansome St., Suite 900

San Francisco, CA 94104

415-391-3838

V O

www.actorsequity.org









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As Actors and Stage Managers we face uncertainty Since 1913, Actors' Equity has been the symbol of

in our chosen profession but we’re also filled with excellence in the American Theatre, setting the

passion for what we do. As Equity members, we standard of professionalism among Actors and

have a hand in shaping our own future because Stage Managers throughout the industry. We are

our union is a democracy. It gives us a united voice a democratic, member-driven Union that creatively

in determining our basic compensation and working builds and defends the economic framework that

conditions through collective bargaining. Equity allows us to practice our craft and provide for

creates solutions to our concerns, offers programs ourselves and our families with dignity over a lifelong









designed and written by Peter Royston, David Lotz, Amy Dolan, and Tim Thayer

and seminars for our advancement as individuals career. Fair wages, safe working conditions,

and as members, all of which pave the way for a dignified and healthcare, and a secure retirement are only a few of the challenges

rewarding career. And it gives us a network of professionals who we successfully address on your behalf. Equity has a proud history

share the same vision. I invite you to learn more about Equity, and of being in the forefront of social issues that affect not only our own

when it’s the right time, to join us. By becoming a member you will members, but all working people. Equity achieves this because we

take and important step towards empowering your future. Please have a strong, dedicated elected leadership, staff and membership

check out our award-winning website [www.actorsequity.org] to -- people just like you -- who work together democratically towards

learn more about your union -- Actors' Equity -- and how it can common goals. As an Equity member you are an important part

benefit you and your career. of a proud, century-long tradition in the Theatre. Welcome!



Mark Zimmerman, President John P. Connolly, Executive Director





Photo strip I.D. (photo credit) - 1. AEA President Frederick O'Neal and Lyndon Johnson; 2. Mylo Ironbear (Ed Krieger); 3. Richard Korthaze

- Gypsy Robe (Walter McBride); 4. PHANTOM OF THE OPERA record breaking performance #7,486 (Joan Marcus); 5. Sara Surrey as

“Cleopatra” and Dan Snook as “Antony” at The Old Globe's 2004 Shakespeare Festival (Craig Schwartz); 6. JACQUES BREL at Palm Beach

Drama Works; 7. Starlight Theatre, Kansas City (Mark McDonald); 8. John Randolph; 9. Derwent Award winners John Tartaglia and Anika

Noni Rose (John Quilty); 10. LEAGUE OF NATIONS, Mixed Blood Theatre (Rich Ryan); 11. SHEAR MADNESS, Charles Playhouse, Boston(Richard

Feldman); 12. Kitty Lunn, Artistic Director of Infinity Dance Theater (Dan Demetriad); 13. Broadway Picket Line, 1968; 14. Lucy Jordan Award

recipient Dirk Van Allen (Lanny van Allen); 15. Derwent Award winners Jason Ritter and Felicia P. Fields (John Quilty); 16. Philip Loeb; 17.

Allyssa Cartwright, Michael Stock, HOW HIS BRIDE CAME TO ABRAHAM, Unicorn Theatre (Cynthia Levin, Courtesy of Unicorn Theatre);

18. Equity March, 1918; 19. John Dossett, Michele Pawk, Stephen J. Falat Basket Project (John Quilty); stage spot lights by David Ritter