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.
Important: You should file a signed copy of your Equity Contract and any riders with our Contracts Department at contracts@actorsequity.org each time you sign a new contract, even if your employer says they are sending it in.
Open Access
You may join Equity under the “Open Access” program if you have worked professionally as an actor or stage manager in a theatrical production within Equity's geographical jurisdiction.
If you have worked on a previous Equity Contract, worked as an EMC or Local Jobber or have been a member of Equity prior you may contact us to inquire about joining and filing a new Membership Application.
If you have worked professionally as an actor or stage manager in Equity's geographical jurisdiction you will need to provide a copy of your contract and proof of pay (i.e. pay stub, W2, 1099, etc).
If you are joining Equity through Open Access, at least $600 initial payment is due with your application, and you must have completed any non-union theatre work.
Four A's
Associated Actors and Artistes of America Affiliation
Membership is also available by virtue of prior membership in a performing arts sibling union: SAG-AFTRA, AGMA, AGVA or GIAA.
- Applicants must be members of a sibling union for at least one year
- Must currently be members in good standing with a zero balance 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
- Must have completed non-union theatrical work
To receive an application, you will need to request that your parent union send us a crossover letter stating that you meet the requirements above.
If you are joining Equity through Four A's, at least $600 initial payment is due with your application, and you must have completed any non-union theatre work.
Please note: the Equity Membership Candidate Program has been phased out, and Equity will stop admitting new applicants to the EMC program effective May 8, 2023. Equity's Open Access membership policy is being extended indefinitely. Going forward, Equity membership will be offered to all theatre workers who can demonstrate they have worked professionally as an actor or stage manager within Equity's geographical jurisdiction. This means that anyone who would qualify to become an Equity Membership Candidate now qualifies to become a full Equity member. LEARN MORE.
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, or if you fail to pay your initiation fee in full in the specified time period, you are considered "out-of-benefits" and your membership is automatically terminated. Members are therefore strongly urged to remain in good standing with Equity.
Once membership is terminated it may not be reinstated. However, you may be eligible to rejoin via Open Access.
Note: Members returning from a temporary withdrawal/suspended payment do not need to rejoin. Read more