What does Non-Equity mean?
Non-Equity refers to theatrical productions, theaters, or performers that are not operating under Actors’ Equity Association contracts. Non-Equity theater encompasses a wide range of productions — from small community theaters and regional companies that cannot afford union contracts to professional productions that have chosen to operate outside the union framework. For performers, non-Equity work does not count toward Equity membership accumulation through the EMC (Equity Membership Candidate) program unless specifically structured to do so. Non-Equity productions generally offer lower pay than Equity contracts but provide important performance experience and credits.
Example:The young actor accumulated non-Equity credits across two years of regional theater work before enrolling in the Equity Membership Candidate program — building her performance resume and practical experience while working toward union eligibility.
Example: The non-Equity national tour offered competitive compensation by non-union standards and a chance to perform in the same production as the Broadway version, giving emerging performers professional experience that would strengthen their case for future Equity opportunities.
Did you know?
The line between Equity and non-Equity theater has been the subject of ongoing industry debate. Critics of non-Equity productions argue that they depress wages across the industry and allow producers to avoid union protections. Defenders argue that non-Equity theater serves communities that Equity productions cannot reach economically and provides essential career development opportunities for emerging performers. The debate reflects broader tensions in the entertainment industry between labor protections and access to opportunity.
You can also find “Non-Equity” and related terms in this category: Acting Jobs and Auditions.
