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How, Why & When to Join Actor’s Equity Association

By 2, February 13, 2023

Whether or not to join the main acting unions - AEA and SAG-AFTRA  - is a burning question many new actors face, akin to signing with a talent agent. One of the first questions that I get asked by performers at the beginning of their careers is, “How do I join the unions?” They are aware that being in the union is a desirable goal but do not know much more about what joining it entails. My response has always been to start with these four steps:

• Believe in your talent and that you will be successful
• Make a commitment to daily work
• Train with the best to advance your skills
• Go after getting your own performance work

If that seems like an indirect way to answer the question of, “How do I become an equity actor?” that’s because there is no direct path to doing so. Following this process will organically put you in the most eligible position to be able to join the union at the right time in your acting career. That being said, there are other elements to explore about being an equity actor. Knowing how, why, and when to join the performance unions - AEA & SAG-AFTRA – can make all the difference in the long term success of your acting career.

 

About Actor’s Equity Association (AEA)

If your main career focus is live theatre, a major milestone will be when you become a member of AEA (Actor's Equity Association also known as just Equity). This is the performance union that governs live theatre for stage performers and stage managers.

How to Join AEA

There are three current ways to become eligible to join AEA:

1. Book a job under an Equity contract

   As a non-union performer, you can audition for a show that is being produced in an Equity theatre. If you book the job, the producers must offer you an AEA contract. Congratulations! After paying your initiation fee and subsequent dues, you are now a card-carrying member of AEA!

2. The Open Door Sister Union Method

   If you’ve been a member in good standing of SAG-AFTRA, AGMA, AGVA, or GIAA for at least one year and have worked for at least one day under that union’s jurisdiction as a principal (or three days as a background artist), you are eligible to join AEA.

3. Equity’s Open Access

   When Equity’s Open Access initiative debuted in July of 2021, they announced that the first phase, dubbed “Open Access Immediately,” would expire on May 1, 2023. In early February 2023 Equity announced that they will be opening access permanently. Going forward, Equity membership will be offered to all theatre workers who can demonstrate they have worked professionally as an actor or stage manager within Equity’s geographical jurisdiction.

   With this new membership policy in place, Equity will phase out the Equity Membership Candidate (EMC) Program over the next three years. Current membership candidates will retain EMC status during this time, including priority access to Equity auditions, but Equity will stop admitting new applicants to the EMC program effective May 8, 2023. During this time, Equity will not track EMC points, since any EMC who has worked even once may join the union through Open Access.

   If you are an EMC or a former member, or if you have previously worked in an Equity theater, AEA may already have the information needed to confirm your eligibility to join Equity. Otherwise, if you have worked professionally as a stage manager or actor in the United States, you will need to provide proof of that work and proof of payment for that work (e.g. pay stub, W2, 1099, etc.). https://actorsequity.org/join/openaccess/

Why Join AEA?

Every career has levels of achievement that professionals strive for. For a theatre actor, becoming an AEA union stage performer is one of those sought-after high points. As performers, we want to always expand our talent and artistic credits. Working on Equity productions is a major stepping-stone towards building a professional sustainable performance career.

Career Benefits of Joining AEA

A pivotal career goal for on-stage actors is to work on high-level union-governed shows that provide union member benefits. These benefits include mandatory safe working conditions, higher wage negotiations, healthcare, pension plans, workman's compensation, limits on hours worked in a defined time period, and several other protective measures. In addition to these contract benefits, you will be able to attend AEA only auditions. AEA rules require that all AEA members be seen before non-union actors. Non-union actors have been known to sign up on a non-union audition list and sometimes wait at the audition all day to be told, "Sorry, we are not seeing non-union actors today."

The Confidence of Being An Equity Actor

In addition to these obvious contract and member benefits, there are many psychological by-products of joining the union that help build a positive, success-driven mindset. The never-ending hustle of the life of a performer is real. It’s common to go on numerous auditions before landing even one callback. This level of persistence and tenacity is well-respected but can take a toll on your mental state.

To be a successful actor, you must be confident that your talent is at a bookable level. Becoming a card-carrying AEA member is one of those confidence-building stepping stones. It validates your career to yourself as well as those who have supported you (family, friends, talent agents & managers, etc.). Having AEA member status enhances your credibility and shows that your efforts in the competitive entertainment industry are paying off. Receiving your AEA card can be an infectious and empowering boost that may be just what you need to continue pounding the pavement for the next job.

Work Amongst Like-Minded Professionals

Being in AEA  also puts you in the in-circle mindset of professionals who are serious about their careers and are working constantly to discover audition opportunities and to improve their triple-threat skills through classes, coaching, and networking seminars. Not to mention seeking quality theatrical representation. This is the level of your colleagues who you will be auditioning and performing with. You will rise up by association, by seeing their work ethic, examples, and habits. Take this as an opportunity to become inspired by your fellow union members.

When to Join AEA

All theatre actors want to work on union projects right out of the gate, but that doesn’t mean the timing is quite right. When is it the right time in your career path to actually seek  AEA union membership? The answer is not cut-and-dry. You need to be ready to go up against seasoned actors that are your type, age, are well-trained, and have already been working in AEA productions.

To answer the question, “Should I try to join the theatre actor’s union?” you need to take an honest look at where you are in your career and embrace it. Ask yourself this: Do my skills, credits, training, and education support my desire to level up and seek union shows?

If the answer is no, it may be better to wait. It is better to remain non-union and gain experience working than to join the union prematurely and end up not getting any work.

An acting career is a journeyman's profession. You learn by doing, on the job, and in front of an audience. If you are fresh out of school or at the building stages of your career, getting experience and building your resume credits in non-union, community theatre, or experimental low-budget shows is the better move.

What to Know Before you Join AEA

The following list of questions are those which I suggest all prospective union members ask themselves prior to seeking AEA membership. If your answer to the majority of the questions is YES, go for it!

• Do you have a rock-solid belief in your talent and skills?
• Are you committed to the process of building a professional performance career no matter the time it may take?
• Are you willing to say NO to non-union work that may be easy to book?
• Are you committed to doing daily work on your career both in training and seeking work?
• Will the credits and training on your resume give casting directors confidence that you can book AEA jobs?
• Have you performed recognizable roles in commonly produced shows at reputable theatres or college productions?
• Do you live in a market that offers you consistent, sustainable theatrical work, and/or are you willing to travel for work?
• Are you willing to relocate to a major market to enhance the opportunities to work professionally on stage?

Consider these questions seriously. Whether you’re on your way towards becoming an equity actor or need a bit more time to fine-tune your craft, you can become the CEO of your own career with Up-To-Date-Actor. Discover a world of resources that will help set you on the right path towards becoming a working actor when you sign up for a free trial with us today!