<p>Each of us extrapolates from his own experience. If anyone is vilifying young actors, I’m totally missing that. Further, I would argue that “scabbing” is a term only appropriately applied to union members who work non-union jobs or who work during a strike. Non-union kids working non-union jobs are not scabbing by any stretch of the imagination and I can’t find any such allegation in the thread. In my opinion, those actors are working against their own best interests and the best interests of the larger community of actors because as long as skilled workers are available without a union contract, professional actors’ strength as a collective bargaining unit is weakened. Others here have shared their opinions that a period of non-union work is beneficial to a young performer and report that it has been sought by some they know. We simply have different points of view.</p>
<p>It is difficult to read tone on the internet, @TheaterHiringCo, but your description of your own frustrating experience makes it easier to understand that you’re not coming from an anti-union place. My own outlook comes from 32 years in AEA, 31 years in AFTRA and SAG, never working a straight/survival job while supporting a family of four in an absurdly expensive city and, yes, I fully recognize that I am very very very fortunate. Not alone in my good fortune, though. Among working actors, I know many like me who started work right out of college without an agent who continue to work and support a middle class life steadily into the years when our own children are making these choices. </p>