Important Pros and Cons of Joining Actors' Equity Association

Actors’ Equity Association (or AEA) currently represents over 51,000 stage managers and stage actors. Like any labor union, Equity’s job is to protect its’ members.

For years, there were 3 different ways an actor can be eligible to join AEA.

1) By virtue of employment (receiving an equity contract after booking a show)

2) Through membership of a sister union (SAG-AFTRA, AGMA, and AGVA)

3) Through the Equity Membership Candidate Program

However, now Equity membership is now open to any stage manager or actor who has worked professionally in the United States.

Every labor union has its pros and cons. Here are a few pointers to keep in mind when you are considering joining Actors’ Equity Association.

Phantom at the Fireside Theatre (where I earned my Equity Card)

PROS

• AEA negotiates your minimum salary

• AEA negotiates your hours and fair working conditions 

• Supplemental worker’s compensation during injury

• Health coverage (especially important after you turn 26 and can no longer use your parents’ health insurance)

• Pension/401K (if you ever plan on eventually retiring)

• Guaranteed Paycheck: Equity requires most producers to post a bond to ensure payment; even if a show closes or a producer defaults, you still get paid and won’t get stranded.

• Audition Access: Equity has negotiated required auditions including Equity Principal Auditions and Equity Chorus Calls. More than 1,300 audition notices are posted on Equity’s website annually.

• Endless union discounts on rehearsal studios, spas, gyms, hotels, restaurants, travel, etc.

CONS

• AEA actors are limited to performing in Equity shows only, you can’t take non-union job offers

• Sometimes less opportunities for work equity actors than non-union actors

• Heavier competition

• Hefty initiation fee ($1,700 paid within a maximum two-year period. While working on contract, deductions will be made based on your weekly salary.)

• You must pay basic dues  ($176 annually, billed at $88 twice a year each May and November)

• Working dues are taken out of your contract (2.5% of gross earnings under Equity contract, which are collected through weekly payroll deductions)

• As a union member, you cost the producer more to hire because they pay into your larger union salary, pension and health insurance.

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Maggie Bera is an actress, entrepreneur, and founder of Actor Aesthetic.

*article originally published Jan 2020, updated July 2021 to reflect recent changes from AEA