Q: I want to start auditioning for real plays, but I don't have enough experience to get my Equity union card yet. Is there any way I can get cast in a professional play without one?

Everyone has to start out somewhere, and it can be difficult to qualify for Equity when you're just starting out. Theaters and casting directors understand this, and there are different performance contracts out there to help people build enough credits to join Equity. While big Broadway shows and major houses in regional markets might not consider you without an Equity card, small-to-mid size theaters often hire actors without union membership.

A: Non-profit theaters offer their actors the option of signing a LORT contract. LORT stands for League of Resident Theaters, and LORT membership is nationwide. These can be large, professional theaters that run on a not-for-profit basis. LORT negotiates collectively with Equity to ensure people who sign LORT contracts will have similar rights, protections, and support as Equity members, while allowing them to be paid fairly. Acting in a show under a LORT contract counts toward Equity prerequisites, and you'll probably work in a non-profit theater at some point in your career anyway.

Another option for non-Equity actors is the Small Professional Theater contract. Theaters that aren't run under an umbrella Equity contract, but still wish to be considered professional, can be assigned a tier in the Small Professional Theater system by Equity. This allows them to hire Equity actors as well as non-Equity. Actors that don't have union membership sign Small Professional Theater contracts, which are similar to LORT contracts. SPT contracts count toward Equity membership, and give the actor basic protections and security.

These are just two of the ways you can get professional theater work without a union card. Many regional theater alliances have their own similar contracts and have separate established agreements with Equity.

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