<p>When an audition ad says "Equity singers", does that mean you can't audition unless you have your equity card?</p>
<p>That is correct.</p>
<p>Technically that is what it means, but often Equity auditions in New York will see non-Equity singers after they have seen all Equity members. Auditions are not required to do so, but it happens all the time. In that case, they will sign up non-Eq singers on a waiting list, with EMC (Equity Membership Candidates) seen first from this list.</p>
<p>^^ word. Plenty of ECC/EPAs see non-equity auditioners. Give it a shot if it won't be a big hassle.</p>
<p>Just one other note. Yes, if it says equity - that is what they are advertising for. If you are non eq you typically can wait around and may or may not be seen after all the equity performers have been seen. They often do see the non eq folks, and other times they will simply take your resume - which is a little frustrating after waiting around for several hours - but it is part of the biz.</p>
<p>My DD has three times done equity calls. We learned after the first to call before in advance if to be sure they would see people, since equity calls have sign ups for the Chicago one they told us how many were on the list so we could guess if it would be likely to be seen in the alloted time. One time it was Chicago and twice in NYC, she was seen both times. BUT at each of these calls we assumed we pull in a much smaller pool since they were looking explicitly for African American girls (it wasn't lion king which does open calls for kids as well as EPAs). She got one part but was not given an equity contract - this was a regional theatre that could use a mix of equity and non, she was called back for one of the NYC broadway/tour parts, and the other she was dismissed after the dance portion.
One thing to learn is if the call is a required EPA or required chorus call they may not be hiring at all. There is a requirement to hold auditions, I think every 6 months, for on-going productions. In the past we have only considered attending non-required calls, because this typically means they no they will have to replace someone.</p>
<p>For us these were fun experiences for DD, particularly the dance call, where she to a chance to learn what goes on, see how many people show up. The call back for hairspray was amazing- other adults waiting there were SO nice to hear, chatted about what she was doing, how they got started ... of course she obviously wasn't their competition.</p>
<p>Here's a tip for non-Equity actors at Equity auditions: be the first one to sign up on the waiting list. That means going to the audition location MANY hours before the audition actually starts. This will increase your chances of being seen. After sitting through several hours of Equity members' auditions, casting directors will frequently only see the first few of the non-Equity members, if they do any at all.</p>
<p>Sorry, but what are ECC's and EPA's</p>
<p>Equity Chorus Calls and Equity Principal Auditions.</p>