Join Equity

HOW TO JOIN

You may apply for Membership by any one of the following methods:

Equity Contract
You may join the Association by virtue of employment under an Equity contract. Applications for joining Equity are only valid during the term of the contract. Certain contract types also have a length-of-employment requirement before a membership application becomes valid; the Membership Department will advise you at the time of joining.

Four A's
Associated Actors and Artistes of America Affiliation
Membership is also available by virtue of prior membership in a performing arts sister union: SAG-AFTRA, AGMA, AGVA or GIAA.

• Applicants must be members of a sister union for at least one year
• Must currently be members in good standing of their parent union
• Must have worked as a performer under the union's jurisdiction on a principal or "under-five" contract or at least three days of extra ("background") work

With your application, you must include a written statement from your parent union stating that you meet the requirements above along with a least $400 towards your Initiation Fee. (Effective January 1, 2020, the amount due with application will increase to $600.)

Please note: this sister-union policy is not applicable to non-resident aliens.

Equity Membership Candidate (EMC) Program
This program permits actors and stage managers-in-training to credit theatrical work in an Equity theatre towards eventual membership in Equity. After securing a position at a participating theatre, you may register as a candidate. The $200 registration fee will be credited against any future Initiation Fee when you become eligible for membership. Eligibility under this program requires a minimum of 25 weeks of EMC work at participating theatres. If you complete 25 weeks you may register for Phase 2 of the EMC Program by paying an additional $200 within 6 months of completing Phase 1 to be able to work an additional 25 weeks. At any point during Phase 2 you may choose to join Equity as long as you do not have non-Equity work lined up in the future.

If you are joining Equity through the EMC Program, at least a $400 initial payment is due with your application. (Effective January 1, 2020, the amount due with application will increase to $600).

Aliens/Foreign Actor Rules
There are certain eligibility restrictions that are applicable to Non-Resident Aliens. You will need to submit proof of US citizenship or Resident Alien status with your application for membership if you were born outside of the US.

REJOINING EQUITY

If you are delinquent in the payment of dues for a period of two years, and you did not apply for inactive status, you are considered "out-of-benefits" and your membership is automatically terminated. In order to rejoin Equity, you must secure a new contract and pay a new initiation fee. Please note if you have previously been a member of Actors' Equity Association you are not able to rejoin through a Four A’s affiliation or participation in the EMC program. Members are therefore strongly urged to remain in good standing with Equity. Note: members returning from a temporary withdrawal/suspended payment do not need to rejoin. Read more