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This statement may be significant, though. In addition to being a type who was in high demand, he did spend (at least) a year working under non-equity contracts, establishing a strong resume and a reputation before taking his card. And that was many years ago, before so many well-trained performers were being cranked out of college programs annually.
It does seem that EMC offers some middle ground for young performers. D has only accepted contracts at Equity theatres since high school, but with only two exceptions the roles she was hired for have not been at production scale, but have instead provided her with EMC credits. As EMC, would you consider her to be a member or non-member? </p>
<p>Also - many young performers we know who are Equity do almost exclusively non-equity cabaret type work, so that also seems like another middle ground for many.
I do have actual personal knowledge of kids who have not gotten roles and were told that it was specifically because they are equity and the role needed to be filled with someone else as a result. I also personally know kids who have not found work since getting an equity card, often from a short summer contract. They are still too young to say they’ll never work again, but I do know kids who regret their choice to take cards when starting out.</p>
<p>As I’ve said before, both D and I are a VERY pro-union and she eagerly looks forward to taking her card next time it is offered - possibly when she finishes getting her 50 EMC points. It is also still entirely possible that she’ll some day regret having turned it down, and she would in no way pretend to know that her choice is right for everyone, or even to know what might have happened if she had instead taken it. Heck, for all we know she may already have been passed over for something she’s recently auditioned for because she didn’t take the card.</p>
<p>I think everyone just makes the best choices they can given their unique circumstance and whatever information/advice they have available.</p>