NEW YORK CITY: Actors’ Equity Association, the nationwide union representing greater than 51,000 skilled actors and stage managers in dwell theatre, is making its Open Access membership coverage, first introduced as a short lived measure in July 2021, a everlasting fixture. With a pathway to membership now accessible to all stage managers and actors with skilled expertise, the union will start a three-year section out of its Equity Membership Candidate program.
Since summer time of 2021, the union has allowed any theatre employee who can exhibit they’ve labored professionally as an actor or stage supervisor inside Equity’s geographical jurisdiction to hitch. Previously, eligibility for union membership had been restricted to these working for an Equity employer, whether or not by direct contract provide or via the Equity Membership Candidate program, or to members of a sibling union. When Equity first broadened entry to membership, the coverage included an expiration date of May 1, 2023, whereas union leaders developed a plan to open entry completely.
“Open Access is doing exactly what it’s supposed to do,” mentioned Actors’ Equity Association president Kate Shindle. “Of course, strength in numbers is a cornerstone principle for any union. But this was never a simple numbers game. Every worker who wants a union deserves a union. Open Access is about providing a pathway to Equity membership that doesn’t depend on our employers, or on our industry’s hiring practices. In the 18 months since we launched, we’ve seen a significant increase in the diversity of our new members. Joining a union is a deeply personal decision, and I’m proud that Open Access has moved that decision into the hands of actors and stage managers themselves.”
In 2020, 26 p.c of Equity members who shared demographic info with the union had recognized as individuals of colour. Since the launch of Open Access, roughly 38 p.c of members becoming a member of via the initiative who self-identified had been individuals of colour.
As for the EMC program, Equity will now not admit new candidates to this system starting May 8. Current EMCs will preserve audition entry for a three-year interval. All charges paid to the EMC program could also be utilized to union initiation charges. As of May 8, 2026, EMCs will now not be acknowledged for prioritized audition entry and will likely be seen on the identical foundation as different non-Equity actors.
Actors’ Equity Association, based in 1913, is the U.S. labor union that represents greater than 51,000 skilled actors and stage managers. Equity endeavors to advance the careers of its members by negotiating wages, bettering working situations, and offering a variety of advantages, well being and pension included.
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