What does Equity Waiver mean?
Equity Waiver is a special permission granted by Actors’ Equity Association allowing union members to perform in a production that does not meet the full requirements of an Equity contract — typically in small theaters, showcases, or experimental productions where standard Equity terms would make the project financially impossible. Equity waivers are designed to support the development of new work and the survival of small theater companies while allowing union performers to participate without jeopardizing their membership status. The terms and conditions of waiver productions are negotiated between AEA and theater producers and are subject to regular revision.
Example:The AEA member accepted the equity waiver production specifically because it was a world premiere of a new play by an emerging writer — the artistic opportunity outweighed the below-standard compensation, and the union’s waiver provision made her participation legally permissible.
Example: The theater company applied for an equity waiver to allow them to cast union performers in their showcase production — a critical step that enabled them to attract experienced professional actors to a project that could not afford full Equity contracts.
Did you know?
Equity waivers have been controversial within the union membership throughout their history, with ongoing debates about whether they benefit performers by providing opportunities or harm them by suppressing wages and normalizing below-standard conditions. The union has periodically tightened or loosened waiver terms in response to these debates and changing economic conditions in the theater industry. For performers, the decision about whether to accept a waiver production typically involves weighing artistic opportunity, relationship building, and professional development against fair compensation principles.
You can also find “Equity Waiver” and related terms in this category: Contracts and Agreements.
