By Jennifer Smith

"I got my Equity card at Dallas Summer Musicals playing Ma Templeton in a Stock tour of GEORGE M! with Ken Berry. I had accrued 14 memberships the year before but received my card outright at DSM. Getting his card at the same time was a young man named Kevin Ligon who has since become a very dear friend. We have worked together many times including two shows on Broadway. He even moved into my co-op building! I was so proud and excited to be joining the union. I didn't think I stood a chance of being able to use my legal name because it is so common. I even had another name ready (Jenny Henderson), but I think I made my Dad very happy for me to be able to keep my birth name. I'm still very proud to be a member of Actors' Equity!"