Q: Can I join Equity if I have a non-Equity gig lined up or do I have to wait until that gig is over? —@giraffe7, Backstage Community Forums*
Thanks for your question. It’s unclear if you’re currently eligible to join Actors’ Equity Association or not, so, first, have you been offered an Equity contract and need to join? Have you completed the Equity Membership Candidate program and need to join? If your answer is no to both of these questions, then, to the best of my knowledge, you can freely move forward with the non-Equity gig—no questions asked. If the answer is yes to one or both of the above questions, you’ll definitely want to reach out to Actors’ Equity to clarify your specific situation. By joining the union, you are agreeing to no longer take nonunion theater work. According to the Equity website, “As an Equity member, you may not perform or stage manage without an Equity contract. That’s rule No. 1 on the back of your Equity card.”
I would need a few further details to address your specific situation, but I will say that the union is there to support you, so feel free to reach out to them and they’ll help address your specific concerns. Joining Equity offers an array of fabulous benefits for actors, including fair wages, fair work conditions, health insurance, pension, and so much more. It’s there for you when you’re eligible and feel ready to level up and work only on Equity jobs moving forward.
Only you know when the time is right for you, so if you want to take this non-Equity gig first and join afterward, go for it. You can still audition for Equity gigs as a nonunion actor. It’s when that first Equity offer or must-join offer comes in that you’ll have to make your big decision. At which point, follow your gut.
In any event, this sounds like an exciting time in your career. Move forward with confidence!
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This story originally appeared in the Feb. 13 issue of Backstage Magazine. Subscribe here.
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