<p>My D did the entire Broadway run and didn't miss a show, so you def would have seen her. (even though you were 7!). Depending on when you saw the show would determine who the Annie understudy was...usually Alexandra Keisman went on for Brittny. Casey also did the tour after the show closed on Broadway, but only from October until the end of March 1998. The equity tour continued for another year or so and then there was a non eq tour that went out for a while after that, so I'm not sure which your classmate was in.</p>
<p>I saw Annie twice. Once I think Britney was Annie and the other time the other girl.</p>
<p>Hey, I'm going to be in Jesus Christ Superstar at the MUNY this summer too! I've been at the Muny for 12 seasons and about 19 shows (i started when I was 5)</p>
<p>Hi Collegeboundkorean!</p>
<p>I just got back from seeing Beauty and the Beast at the MUNY this past Sunday and I was overwhelmed by the venue. 11,000 seats and it was SOLD OUT!!. We had a great time and seeing my D on stage there was beyond thrilling. </p>
<p>I'm assuming from your description of your performing at the MUNY that you've been both a MUNY Kid and a MUNY Teen (I just learned about these programs this weekend - the MUNY has summer programs for kids and teens and they do pre-show performance in the park at the Muny and elsewhere in the city and also get to perform sometimes alongside the professional cast members in the shows. It's a great program and my D said that the kids she has met who do these programs are talented, very focused and fun to work with.) There are two people in the professional company for Beauty and the Beast who were previously Muny Kids/Teens. Are you going to be performimg with the MUNY teens or have you "graduated" to the company? Either way, congratulations! I now understand how exciting an experience it is to work there. My D will also be in Jesus Christ Superstar so I'm sure you will meet her - I think rehearsals are to start on Thursday.</p>
<p>Have a ball and break a leg!</p>
<p>yup they do... i'm still a teen, i chose school over muny teens so i'm just in the show!</p>
<p>bump for Hoofersmom</p>
<p>bump for 2006 discussion of this issue</p>
<p>I am under the impression that you have to work for "points" in an equity theatre in order to join the AE union (one week = 1 point, accumulate 50 point to join) . If you are already in another union (SAG, AFTRA, etc.) you CAN join right away OR you can ONLY do up to 25 weeks max in an equity theatre before you HAVE to join AE. Is the card you are referring to the AE "candidate" card? You pay $100 to become a candidate, and your points then start to accumulate. Often you have an option to still work in an equity production without gathering the points (a good option for children cast in an equity production.) If you get your union status too young, you can only then be in school related non union shows, eliminating a lot of community theatre options or non union summer work. My s in SAG and AFTRA, junior in MT, opted for the point system until he maxes out and has to join AE. Preferred to keep his non AE status so far. Now at a point where he will pay dues and join AE with his next equity contract.</p>
<p>If your d is in college for MT, then I'd start the candidate program any time, as if she only works in summer, it may take several summers to get 50 points, then she would be full union upon graduation.</p>
<p>Not claiming to be an expert, that is for sure, just passing on info as I understand it.</p>
<p>Oops! My last post may not make sense, I was responding to a really old post! New to this site and I presumed newest post was first, not last! Sorry! (Still good info if you are interested, though!</p>
<p>Spangley - </p>
<p>Many summer stock jobs (and all Broadway and off-Broadway jobs) require that their actors be Equity, so many college actors do have their cards. Most young performers I know (in BFA programs) covet the jobs that give you your card automatically (they pay normal dues, of course, but they get it right away), as it can take several years of EMC work to earn your card. But that's also a very individual decision, as you point out.</p>
<p>Spangley,</p>
<p>Here is the link to the Equity page that begins the discussion of how to get your Equity card:</p>
<p>Under EMC you actually can work 50 weeks (accumulate 50 points) before you MUST join or not work in any further Equity productions until you have joined.</p>
<p>I don't pretend to know the answer to the question more commonly raised in this forum - WHEN should a performer take their card. There are so many factors that influence that decision that I think that it is best for the individual who is the position of making this decision to seek the advice and counsel of those who best know their work and skill set and who they TOTALLY trust. I don't think there is any one right answer for each and every performer, even if their age, experience and type are the same.</p>
<p>With regard to the summer stock audition situation, I think there is some confusion about Equity status and auditioning. You do not HAVE to be an Equity member to audition for Ensemble calls at theaters who only employ Equity performers, like those recently held at the MUNY in St Louis and Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera (PCLO). In situations such as those, you may audition as an Equity or non-Equity performer. If you are offered a contract for work, (and there may be a minium number of work days issue involved here) you are then entitled to join Equity. In fact, in order to accept the contract you MUST either join Equity (and they will deduct a portion of your membership fee from your salary each week along with the % that goes to the Union - 2 1/2% I think)) or you can often petition to work there under the EMC program (Equity Membership Candidate program) as described on the Equity website linked above. On the other hand, once you have your Equity card, you may no longer audition for (or work at) non-Equity theaters like those who attend the StrawHat auditions.</p>
<p>Hope this helps!</p>
<p>A couple of points that are related to points in the previous post...</p>
<p>Right, you don't have to be Equity to attend the MUNY or PCLO auditions held on location. </p>
<p>However, for NYC auditions, there are Equity Calls (some are Equity Chorus Calls and some are Equity Principal Auditions) for Equity shows. Many Equity theaters, besides holding Equity calls, also hold agent submitted appointments. NonEquity Actors can attend OPEN calls which are different than Equity Calls. Usually one needs to be Equity to attend an Equity call, but sometimes if time allows, they'll see nonEquity actors, I've heard. MUNY and PCLO held/posted Equity calls in NYC. </p>
<p>One must be NonEquity to AUDITION at StrawHats. However, many summer stock theaters that attend StrawHats employ both Equity and NonEquity Actors. They are looking for NonEquity Actors at StrawHats but many of these theaters have Equity actors and nonEquity in their productions.</p>
<p>Bumping for NotMamaRose on equity vs. not</p>
<p>Bumping for tashmu</p>
<p>Thank you, E'smom!1</p>