What Equity actors do and how to start

An Equity actor is a professional performer who works under a contract with Actors' Equity Association, the labour union that represents stage actors in the United States. Equity actors perform in theatre productions — Broadway, off-Broadway, regional theatres, and touring shows — and the union sets their minimum pay, working conditions, and benefits. To become one, you need training in acting, a way to audition for union productions, and the ability to join the union itself, which requires landing an Equity contract first.

The path is not linear. Some actors train first, then audition for Equity productions. Others work in non-union theatre, build a resume, and transition to Equity work. The union does not require a degree, but most working Equity actors have formal training — either a BFA in theatre, an MFA, or years of classes and workshop experience. What matters most is that casting directors see you can act, and that you can show up to rehearsals and performances reliably.

Key Takeaways

  • Actors' Equity Association is a union; you join it by booking an Equity contract, not the other way around.
  • Most Equity actors have formal training through a college degree, conservatory, or sustained class work with recognized teachers.
  • You audition for Equity productions through casting calls posted on Backstage, Playbill, and union audition notices, or through an agent.
  • Your first Equity contract often comes from regional theatre, touring productions, or off-Broadway shows rather than Broadway.
  • Building a resume of non-union theatre work, student films, and workshop performances strengthens your audition materials before you land that first union role.

Get formal training in acting

Most Equity actors have studied acting formally. A BFA in theatre (four years) or MFA in acting (two to three years) is the most common path. These programs teach scene study, voice, movement, Shakespeare, and how to audition. They also give you access to faculty connections and showcase performances where agents and casting directors watch. Schools like Juilliard, Carnegie Mellon, Yale School of Drama, and the University of Michigan produce many working Equity actors, but so do dozens of state universities and private conservatories.

If you do not pursue a degree, you can train through sustained class work. Take scene study with a recognized teacher — someone with Broadway or regional theatre credits, or someone trained at a major conservatory. Classes typically cost $150 to $400 per month and meet once or twice a week. Look for teachers listed in Backstage or recommended by local theatres. Two to four years of consistent training is standard before actors begin auditioning professionally.

Training teaches you how to take direction, work with scene partners, and handle rejection. It also builds your network — classmates become collaborators, teachers become references, and you learn which casting directors and agents watch student showcases.

Build a resume and headshots

Before you audition for Equity productions, you need a resume and professional headshots. Your resume lists theatre roles you have played, film and television work, training, and special skills (accents, dance, combat, singing). Start by performing in non-union theatre — community theatre, student productions, independent films, and workshop readings. These credits are real and belong on your resume.

Headshots are 8x10 photographs of your face, printed on cardstock. They cost $150 to $500 for a session with a photographer who specializes in actor headshots, plus printing. You need one headshot that looks like you on your best day — not overly styled, not filtered. Casting directors use headshots to remember you after an audition. Update them every two to three years or when your appearance changes significantly.

Your resume and headshots go together in a package called a submission. When you audition, you hand them to the casting director or upload them to the audition platform. Many actors keep digital versions on their phone and email them to agents and casting directors.

Find auditions through Backstage, agents, and union notices

Auditions for Equity productions are posted on Backstage, the largest casting platform in the United States. You create a free account, upload your headshot and resume, and search for auditions by role, theatre, and location. Many postings say "Equity-may be able to access" or "Equity preferred," meaning the production will consider non-union actors but prefers union members. Some say "Equity only," meaning you must be a union member to audition.

If you have an agent, they submit you directly to casting directors for roles that match your type and experience. Agents take 10 percent commission on your earnings. Finding an agent is difficult when you are starting out — most agents want to see that you have already booked professional work. Agents often discover actors at student showcases or through referrals from casting directors and other agents.

Actors' Equity Association itself posts audition notices on its website and sends them to members via email. Once you join the union, you have access to these notices, which are often for Broadway, off-Broadway, and regional theatre productions. Regional theatres — like American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, Steppenwolf in Chicago, and La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego — hold open calls and post auditions through Equity.

Audition and book your first Equity contract

When you audition for an Equity production, you perform a monologue or scene, answer questions from the casting director, and leave your headshot and resume. Auditions last two to five minutes. Casting directors see dozens of actors in a day. Most will not call you back. This is normal and not a reflection of your talent.

Your first Equity contract often comes from a regional theatre production, a touring show, or an off-Broadway production — not Broadway. Regional theatres hire Equity actors for seasons that run several months. Touring productions travel to multiple cities. Off-Broadway theatres are smaller than Broadway and often pay less, but they are union productions that count toward your Equity membership.

Once you book an Equity contract, you join the union. You pay an initiation fee (currently around $1,100) and monthly dues (around $130 per month). The union then negotiates your pay, benefits, and working conditions with the theatre. Equity actors earn a minimum weekly salary set by the union — the amount varies by theatre size and location, but Broadway minimum is significantly higher than regional theatre minimum.

Understand Equity membership and what it costs

Joining Actors' Equity Association is not free, and membership has ongoing costs. The initiation fee is paid once when you join. Monthly dues are deducted from your paycheques when you work, or paid out of pocket if you are between jobs. Equity also requires members to pay working dues — a percentage of your earnings — when you book a role.

In return, the union guarantees you a minimum salary, health insurance may be able to access (if you earn enough), a pension plan, and protection against unsafe working conditions. Equity contracts specify rehearsal hours, performance schedules, and breaks. The union also maintains a code of conduct for casting directors and theatres, so you have recourse if you are treated unfairly.

Being in the union also means you cannot work in non-union theatre without special permission. This limits your options when you are starting out and between jobs. Many actors work non-union roles early in their career, then transition to Equity once they have enough credits and connections.

Consider the non-union path first

Many actors spend two to five years working in non-union theatre before booking their first Equity contract. Non-union theatre includes community theatres, independent productions, student films, and workshop readings. Pay is usually low or nonexistent, but the work builds your resume and your network.

Working non-union gives you flexibility — you can take multiple roles in a season, experiment with different types of characters, and build relationships with directors and casting directors. You can also continue taking classes and auditioning for Equity roles without the restriction that union membership imposes. Once you have a strong resume and have been seen by casting directors, booking an Equity contract becomes more likely.

The transition from non-union to Equity is common and expected. Casting directors understand that most actors start in non-union theatre. Your non-union credits count on your resume and show that you have experience and commitment to the craft.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a college degree to become an Equity actor?

No. Actors' Equity Association does not require a degree. What matters is that you have training and a resume of performed roles. Many working Equity actors have BFAs or MFAs, but others trained through sustained class work and non-union theatre experience. The union cares that you can act and show up to work reliably, not where you learned.

Can I audition for Equity productions if I am not in the union yet?

Yes. Many Equity productions accept submissions from non-union actors, especially if the role is hard to cast or the production is in a smaller market. The posting will say "Equity-may be able to access" or "Equity preferred." If you book the role, you join the union. Some productions say "Equity only," meaning you must already be a member to audition.

How much does it cost to join Actors' Equity Association?

The initiation fee is currently around $1,100, paid when you join. Monthly dues are around $130 per month, deducted from your paycheques or paid out of pocket between jobs. You also pay working dues — a percentage of your earnings — when you book a role. These costs are standard for all union members.

What is the difference between Equity and non-union theatre?

Equity theatre is governed by a union contract that sets minimum pay, working conditions, and benefits. Non-union theatre has no such protections — pay and conditions are negotiated between the actor and the theatre, or set by the theatre alone. Equity work is more stable and better paid, but non-union work is easier to book when you are starting out.

How long does it take to become an Equity actor?

Most actors spend two to four years training, then one to five years auditioning and working non-union before booking their first Equity contract. Some book Equity work sooner if they have strong training, good connections, or luck. There is no set timeline — it depends on your training, your type, where you live, and how much you audition.