The Actors’ Equity Association (AEA) is the labor union representing professional stage actors and stage managers in the United States. Actors who are not members of the AEA are referred to as Non-Equity. While Equity productions primarily exist to employ union members, Non-Equity performers can audition for these shows. However, they must follow a restrictive set of procedures, and access is never guaranteed.
Understanding Equity Status and Audition Priorities
The fundamental purpose of the AEA is to protect its membership by establishing a clear system where union actors receive preference for available work. This is accomplished through strict rules governing how casting directors prioritize who they see at official union calls. Equity members receive the highest priority, often with guaranteed appointment slots scheduled in advance. The next tier is reserved for registered participants in the Equity Membership Candidate (EMC) Program. Non-Equity actors occupy the final tier and are only seen if time remains after all AEA members and EMCs have auditioned.
Accessing Principal Auditions (EPAs) as Non-Equity
Equity Principal Auditions (EPAs) are held specifically for actors seeking leading or supporting roles in a production. Non-Equity actors must wait until the entire list of Equity members has been exhausted. The procedure involves arriving at the audition location, often when the building opens, and signing an official Non-Equity sign-up list kept by the AEA monitor.
Non-Equity performers are not given a set time slot and must remain at the audition venue throughout the day to ensure they are present if their name is called. Casting directors are only obligated to see Non-Equity actors if they have finished seeing all Equity and EMC actors before the scheduled end of the call. If many union members attend, or if the casting team takes longer than expected, Non-Equity actors may be dismissed without ever stepping into the audition room. The likelihood of being seen is conditional on the day’s attendance and the pace of the casting team.
Accessing Chorus Calls (ECCs) as Non-Equity
Equity Chorus Calls (ECCs) are distinct from EPAs as they are auditions for ensemble and track roles, typically divided into separate calls for singers and dancers. The priority system for Non-Equity performers mirrors the EPA process: union members are seen first, followed by EMCs, and then Non-Equity actors, if time permits. ECCs often involve a group movement combination or a vocal cut for a small group of singers.
Non-Equity actors must arrive fully prepared to execute the required material, despite the uncertainty of being seen. For example, a dance call requires appropriate attire and shoes, while a singer call requires having the sheet music cued for the accompanist. Those who are seen will perform the same material as their union counterparts. Being prepared demonstrates professionalism and ensures that a potential opportunity is not lost.
The Equity Membership Candidate (EMC) Program
The Equity Membership Candidate (EMC) Program provides a formal pathway for Non-Equity actors to earn eligibility for union membership through work experience. This program allows actors and stage managers to accrue “credit weeks” while employed at participating Equity theaters. An actor must secure employment at an EMC-eligible company and register for the program, which requires a non-refundable fee credited toward the AEA initiation fee.
Candidates must accumulate a minimum of 25 weeks of work at one or more EMC theaters to become eligible to join the union. These weeks do not need to be consecutive and can be gathered over any length of time. Tracking these weeks accurately is important, and the theater’s management is responsible for filing the necessary paperwork with the union. Once the 25-week threshold is reached, the actor is considered EMC-eligible and has a five-year window to join AEA.
Non-Union Auditions and Open Calls
Non-Equity actors have more direct routes to professional work outside of the formal AEA audition structure. Many theaters and casting directors hold general auditions, open calls, or invited calls that are not governed by the union’s priority system. These opportunities are often advertised directly by the theatre company or managed through casting websites that allow direct submissions. Agents can also secure appointments for Non-Equity clients to attend invited calls, which are typically held after the main EPA or ECC.
These non-union calls bypass the need for a performer to wait all day on a tentative list, providing a guaranteed opportunity to be seen. A successful non-union audition can lead to a direct offer for a role. This may sometimes be an Equity contract that qualifies the actor for immediate union membership. Alternatively, landing a job at a regional theater that is EMC-eligible allows the performer to begin accruing credit weeks toward future union eligibility. Targeting these direct calls is a practical strategy for building a resume and earning union status.
Maximizing Success as a Non-Equity Performer
Preparation and Materials
Professional preparation requires having current, high-quality headshots and a detailed, neatly formatted résumé stapled to the back of the photo. Non-Equity performers must also have an organized audition book, containing all sheet music transposed and clearly marked for the accompanist. Finding audition notices requires routinely checking industry resources like Playbill, Backstage, and local casting websites, as well as following the social media pages of regional theaters and casting offices.
Audition Etiquette
Professional etiquette is important during the waiting process at an EPA or ECC. This includes treating the AEA monitor with respect, as they manage the list and the flow of the audition room. Even if a performer is not seen, they should ensure their headshot and résumé are collected by the monitor or left with the casting team. Casting directors often review materials from unseen Non-Equity actors later, making the submission of materials a passive form of auditioning. Maintaining a positive, professional demeanor contributes to a performer’s reputation within the community.