HOW DO I GET MY ACTORS' EQUITY CARD?

If you dream of being an actor, you probably also dream about becoming a member of an actors' union, and specifically, Actors' Equity if you want to pursue theatre.  

So, how can you attain your Equity card?  There are three ways:

1.  Land a role and work under an equity contract, but here's the catch, you must apply to join Equity while you are working under that contract.  Also, you need to check the contract type, because certain contracts have length-of employment requirement before the membership application can be valid.  

2.  Are you a member of one of the Four A's:  AGMA - American Guild of Musical Artists, AGVA - American Guild of Variety Artists,  GIAA - Guild of Italian-American Artists,  or SAG/AFTRA - Screen Actors Guild/American Federation of Television & Radio Artists?  If you have been a member of a sister guild for at least one year, are in good standing, and have had a principal or under-5 contract, or worked as an extra for three days on a union show, then you have an entree.

3.  If you are cast in a equity theatre show but are offered a non-union contract, you can join the Equity Membership Candidate Program.  Under the Equity Candidate Program, you must work 50 weeks in an equity theatre (often earned through performing in several  different shows) before you are eligible for full fledged membership.