How to Join Actors' Equity Association

Actors' Equity Association, commonly known as AEA, is the union that represents professional theater actors. While there are many theatrical productions that are non-union, most high-level theater will be equity. If you are cast in an AEA production, you must join the union. Like all the acting unions, there are specific requirements you must meet before you can join AEA. You also need to pay a substantial initiation fee as well as bi-yearly dues. In turn, the union governs your working conditions. A production working under an AEA contract must meet the union's requirements regarding minimum salaries for performers as well as working conditions.

Things You'll Need

• Method of payment

Instructions

1. Book a role in an AEA production. You will then be eligible to join the union. You must join while you are still participating in the equity production.

2. Join AEA through its Associated Actors and Artistes of America Affiliation clause. Commonly known as the Four As, you can join AEA if you are a member, in good standing, of one of the four sister unions--Screen Actors Guild (SAG), American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) and Guild of Italian-American Actors (GIAA). You must be a member of one of these sister unions for at least one year and have met the minimum performance requirement.

3. Participate in the Equity Membership Candidate (EMC) program to qualify for membership. If you work behind the scenes on any AEA production, you will receive credit. Once you have worked at least 50 hours at participating theaters, you can join the union. A $100 registration fee is required to participate, though it will be credited toward your initiation fee when you join.

4. Visit AEA's website (see Resources) and find the branch closest to you. They have offices in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco and Orlando. Contact your branch regarding any specific questions you have about joining.

5. Complete the membership application. Go to your local AEA office to turn in the application in person, or mail it if you prefer.

6. Pay the initiation fee and your first dues. Since the initiation fee is so large, you are given two-years' time to pay it in full. You must pay at least $400 of the initiation fee within six months of joining in order to have full member privileges.

Tips & Warnings

• Separate acting unions, the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), represent commercial, television and film actors.

• You will receive your AEA membership card a few weeks after you have joined.

• Never work a non-union production once you have joined AEA.

Resources

• Actors' Equity Association