Acting in Plays, Singing/actor's equity

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Expert: - 3/3/2011


Question
I don't understand how I can get hired in an Equity production in order to become an Equity member when Equity productions don't audition non-Equity members!

Answer
Ah, the age-old paradox: "How do I get experience when you say you only want people with experience?!?" In the theatre world this can be especially perplexing.

The short and sweet answer is: Actors Equity requires that all Equity houses hire a certain percentage of non-union talent in each production. Exactly what percentage depends on the theatre and the individual production, but normally it's about 25%. (This information comes from my local Equity agent, by the way.)

The difficulty in this is, of course, being seen. However, many Equity theatres have open general auditions for each season, and you can try to get in that way.

I hope that this helps answer your question!

Break a leg!

-- Spyder

Acting in Plays, Singing

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J. Spyder Isaacson

Expertise

Especially the Seattle theatre scene. Seattle is the number two theatre city of the nation, having more theatres than any other city (including Chicago!) except New York. I know the reputations of most of the local theatres, have worked with quite a number of them, and am currently earning the majority of my livelihood through live theatre. Beyond that, I have been a working professional for the past 10 years (after a long career in an unrelated field), have done just about everything in the field, and have done every possible type of theatre. Currently, I am also pursuing a new (and unexpected!) career as an animated film producer. (PLEASE NOTE that I am NOT an expert in music!) ***DO NOT*** ASK ME QUESTIONS REGARDING AUDITION SONGS OR MONOLOGUES - the answers require way too much information to be passed along by the All Experts system.

Experience

I have been an award-winning actor, singer, playwright, director and administrator (on various levels, all categories) for the past 30 years. A large part of my expertise has been with live theatre, although I do have a minor connection to filmed theater. I have done musicals, straight dramas, straight comedies, and experimental theatre.

Organizations
Theatre Puget Sound Magical Mystery Troupe Centerstage Theatre Conservatory Board of Trustees (former) Express-Theatre Northwest (former) Snoqualmie Falls Forest Theater

Publications
Unrelated trade publications

Education/Credentials
B.A. in Theatre Arts, Gonzaga University M.Ed. in Education and Technology, Western Governor's University (in progress)

Awards and Honors
Mutiple awards (ask for specifics), Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival Valley Community Players, Best Supporting Actor

Past/Present Clients
C's Animation Studio Productions, LLC

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