S did his sophomore to junior summer and a non-equity house and his junior to senior summer at an equity shop (and earned his card). He says take points if you can get them - especially the summer after junior year. He wouldn’t have wanted to do multiple summers for 0 points.
I would be careful not to underestimate the possible change in the auditioning landscape in NYC due to the lowering of the number of EMC points to get your AEA card. It used to extremely difficult, if not impossible, to get your card just through summer stock work for most college students (50 weeks required). However, now it is very achievable to accrue 25 points in as few as 2 summers, especially if you live in a town where you may be able to book a run of a couple of weeks in an EMC theatre during the year to get to those final points. This change has only been in effect since October, time will tell if it makes an appreciable difference or not. But I think that it is certainly worth considering, especially taking into account the ever-increasing numbers of MT BFA’s being generated by new college programs. Any significant growth in Equity membership is very likely to reduce the chance for EMC’s to be seen at EPA’s.
Yet there’s also the conundrum of figuring out when you are marketable enough as equity to make a living after taking your card.
@theaterwork Yes! My S was at SSMT last summer. He loved it.
@Jkellynh17 You are right on. Just because you have the points doesn’t necessary mean you should take your card. Makes it much easier to be seen at auditions but really restricts your job opportunities. We have a family friend whose daughter took her card too early IMHO. Yes, she is going to plenty of auditions but has’t booked a job. She worked pretty steadily before that.
Thank you @TheaterHiringCo and others who have helped answer my questions. A lot to think about for next several summers. Guessing my D may know some of this but nowhere near all!
@MTDadandProud I remember him! Didnt get to see him in B&B but saw Oklahoma!
We see at least 1 show there every summer.
@IfYouOnlyKnew - There is no hard and fast answer. I think weighing opportunities as they come is important. Again - if you get an offer from one of the Top 5 or 6 Summer Stocks, take it. Otherwise…it isn’t so cut and dry.
RE: The changing Equity landscape…all very true. We are transitioning to an Equity house in 2020 - out of necessity.
@TheaterHiringCo Why out of necessity??
To the OP…last summer my D opted for the EMC points w/ mostly ensemble roles over a non-eq offer with 2 lead roles, but it wasn’t just about the points. As noted by others, definitely consider the seasons, talk to alum from both companies, consider the artistic staff, location and pay - including travel expenses, room and board. All this plus your child’s view of what’s best for personal & professional growth will lead to the right decision! A trusted mentor or faculty member can help too. Have a great summer season!
@TheaterHiringCo: What do you consider to be the top 5 or 6 Summer Stocks?
I’m gonna guess and see how close I come: Pittsburgh CLO, Muny, Goodspeed, Sacramento Music Circus . . . okay, I’m tapped out LOL. Can’t wait to see what @TheaterHiringCo says!
Even I want to hear the answer to this one. It seems to change with everyone you talk to. The only constant seems to be the Muny.
Aspen?
Five or six was a throwaway number…Top 3 for me are MUNY, Ogunquit, and Sacramento for sure. Music Theatre Wichita, Wagon Wheel, PCLO, Gateway would be tough to turn down…
Gotta add Goodspeed. My D worked there as a kid, on their mainstage and the smaller Chester theater, where they do new works (Band Geeks premiered there). Great people. Great theater. Great experience. Although not technically summer stock, as they start rehearsing the first show in May and the third and last one of the season closes in November.
I know we put you on the spot @TheaterHiringCo . Thanks for sharing your opinion.
Absolutely Goodspeed is one of the best theatres in America. I just don’t traditionally consider them a summer stock company. Good catch!
Yes, Goodspeed is wonderful but definitely not a summer stock company. They cast via Equity auditions.
Weston Playhouse’s Young Company is also a very good experience for college kids. Difficult to be accepted, though, as:
-only 7- 9 are cast
-only non-Eq
-must be a student or very recent grad of these schools - Baldwin Wallace University Conservatory, Boston Conservatory, CAP21 Musical Theatre Conservatory, Cincinnati Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati, NYU New Studio on Broadway, PACE Musical Theatre, and University of Michigan Musical Theatre.
The Young Company members will get the opportunity to be included in a mainstage Equity show with the Equity cast at Weston and will earn EMC points.
@alwaysamom do you know why this Weston Playhouse limits applicants to those specific schools? I mean CMU isn’t on the list? Seems if they were trying to get kids from the top schools they’re missing that one! Seems like an odd mix
There may be an economic arrangement
@theaterwork The people at Weston have a longtime affiliation with those schools and it may be as simple as having had good experiences with casting from those schools. I don’t know of any specific economic arrangement but Weston, like many theatres, is cost-conscious so that funds for travel to audition kids are limited. They prefer to have auditions at those particular schools, and even at that, it would be competitive, given the small number of kids that they choose. I don’t see it as an odd mix at all. This is a theatre that’s been around since the 1930s so I think they know what works for them. 