The Non-Union Audition Struggle in NYC: Is There a Better Way?

For decades, non-union actors in New York City have relied on sheer persistence, early mornings, and a whole lot of luck to get seen at auditions. If you weren’t in Actors’ Equity Association (AEA), your best bet for getting into the room was to show up at dawn, put your name on an unofficial list, and pray that the casting team had enough time after seeing union performers.

But since Equity’s Open Access policy went into effect, everything has changed. More actors than ever are joining the union, meaning that Equity auditions (EPAs & ECCs) are more crowded than ever—often leaving non-union actors completely shut out.

So, where does that leave non-union performers? Should they join Equity now for access to guaranteed auditions? Or is there a better way for non-union actors to navigate the audition scene without joining just yet?

Let’s break it down.

How Actors Got Into the Union Before Open Access

Before 2021, there were only three ways to join Actors’ Equity:

1. By being a member of a sister union (like SAG-AFTRA, AGMA, or AGVA).

2. Through the Equity Membership Candidate (EMC) program, which allowed actors to earn points toward membership by working in certain regional theaters. (This program is now being phased out.)

3. By receiving an Equity contract, meaning you booked a job at an Equity theater that offered you a union contract.

For non-union actors who weren’t ready to join, auditioning was still possible, but it required patience, strategy, and a whole lot of early mornings.

What Changed with Open Access?

In 2021, Equity introduced Open Access, making it easier for actors to join the union. Here’s how it works:

• If you have worked as a paid actor or stage manager in a professional theater production, you may be eligible to join Actors’ Equity.

• You must pay the initiation fee ($1,800 as of 2024) and the first installment of dues to officially become a member.

This policy opened the floodgates. Many actors who had previously been non-union joined to gain audition access and union protections. But with so many more Equity members now competing for limited slots at EPAs and ECCs, getting seen at these auditions has become even harder—for everyone.

For non-union actors, it’s even worse.

The Non-Union Audition Grind: A Broken System?

If you’re a non-union actor in NYC in 2024, you basically have three ways to be seen at auditions:

1. Get an appointment (through an agent or self-submission).

2. Attend an open call (when theaters hold true open auditions, which are rare).

3. Show up at an Equity audition (EPA/ECC) and hope to be seen.

The third option—Equity auditions—has become nearly impossible. With so many more union actors vying for time slots, casting teams rarely have time to see non-union talent. This has led to even more chaos around unofficial lists—where non-union actors show up at insane hours (sometimes before 4 AM) to sign up for a list that may or may not be honored.

It’s disorganized, stressful, and—frankly—unsafe.

So the question is: Is there a better way?

Should Non-Union Actors “Organize” Without Joining Equity?

Right now, the non-union audition system is completely unregulated. There’s no official process for getting seen at Equity auditions, which leaves non-union actors fending for themselves in a system that doesn’t work in their favor.

Would it be possible for non-union actors to organize in a way that ensures fairness—without officially joining the union?

Some ideas that have been floated around include:

• A standardized unofficial list system that Equity monitors must acknowledge.

• A separate tier of Equity membership for actors who want audition access but aren’t ready to go full union. Bringing back EMC?

• A formalized non-union audition process outside of EPAs and ECCs, with clearer pathways for casting teams to see non-union talent.

But at what point does organizing become unionizing in itself?

And more importantly—would Equity even allow it?

So… Should Non-Union Actors Just Join the Union?

The reality is, joining Equity is not the right move for everyone.

For some actors, staying non-union is a strategic choice. If you’re still early in your career and looking to gain experience in regional theaters, non-union tours, and Off-Broadway productions, joining Equity too soon could actually limit your opportunities.

But for others, joining now makes sense—especially if you’re tired of:

• Waiting outside for hours just to be turned away.

• Fighting for a spot on an unofficial list.

• Feeling like your safety is at risk just to have a shot at being seen.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. But one thing is clear: The current system isn’t working.

So, what do you think?

Should non-union actors organize for better audition access? Or is joining Equity now the only way forward? Let’s discuss.