<p>So I decided to give this a try....</p>
<p>Thanks for starting this thread. Great Information! Is it possible to move or copy the very valuable information concerning this subject that was posted on Summer Programs or Employment onto this thread for future use?</p>
<p>i am not a member of actors equity, but i have many theater friends (adults and kids) who are....</p>
<p>here is what i can tell you that is of importance. Once you get your equity card, you can wave it until you are 14 (probably doesn't apply to anyone here) or, as my friend told me, wave it until you do another professional production where they are paying equity rates. For example, a friend of mine did 4 shows at the Westchester Broadway Theater....a professional equity rate theater near where I live....from it she got her equity card. She was able to wave it until she was 15 when she was in another production there. Now she must get paid every time she is in a show (maybe she can do school shows without pay, though).</p>
<p>Sounds great, huh? Think twice. Now this friend of mine is ALLOWED to do community theater, but it's hard for her to get into much because she HAS to be paid.....community theater companies that don't pay would rather get someone just as good who they are not required to pay</p>
<p>Obviously once you are an adult, it's good to be in equity because there are many equity only calls, but as a teenager it must be very difficult. since there are very few parts for boys and girls ages 13-17 in adult companies (since in shows like bye bye birdie, they use adults who look like they are teenagers as opposed to real teenagers), it's very difficult to be in any shows because people aren't gonna wanna pay you.....yet you still have to pay the equity dues.....which might not be great since you're not getting paid at all....</p>
<p>There are many rules to be in equity and you always must be paid equity rate no matter what....</p>
<p>I can answer any other questions about equity since so many of my adult actor friends are in it! :-D</p>
<p>BroadwayWannabe- you must live near me! I live about quite close to Westchester Broadway. Never have auditioned there, though I'd like to.</p>
<p>I posted a reply on the summer employment thread......</p>