What does Equity Chorus Call (ECC) mean?
Equity Chorus Call (ECC) is a union-mandated open audition process organized by Actors’ Equity Association for ensemble and chorus roles in musical theater productions. Like the Equity Principal Audition, the ECC requires Equity signatory productions to hold open auditions accessible to all union members — but specifically for chorus, ensemble, and dancing roles rather than principal parts. ECCs provide union performers with direct access to audition for ensemble opportunities without requiring agent representation or a personal invitation from the production.
Example:The Equity Chorus Call for the national tour was listed on the AEA website with the date, time, location, and preparation requirements — the child performer’s mother noted it as something to be aware of for her daughter’s future, once she was old enough and had achieved union membership.
Example: The young actor attended her first ECC after earning her AEA card, bringing a prepared sixteen-bar cut and dance clothes as specified in the audition requirements — her first experience participating in the formal union audition process for a major musical production.
Did you know?
The distinction between EPAs (for principal roles) and ECCs (for ensemble roles) reflects the different professional tracks within musical theater. Ensemble performers — dancers, singers, and actor-singers who fill out the chorus of a musical — have their own union protections, rate structures, and audition channels separate from principals. Many performers work both tracks throughout their careers, auditioning for principal and ensemble roles simultaneously during particularly active hiring seasons.
You can also find “Equity Chorus Call (ECC)” and related terms in this category: Acting Jobs and Auditions.
