What is Union (acting?) How to become one? Where should I go, what should I do?

Answer 1

Well, the others here are right about which 3 performers' unions there are, but a little fuzzy on other details.

First, if you want to be a professional actor, membership is crucial! Most auditions for professional shows are closed to anyone but union members. Agents won't even think about representing you, and casting people will probably ignore you, unless you carry the union card. Yes, membership is expensive, but paying gigs for non-union members are limited to very fringe productions and college teaching.

To become a member, you have to earn so many "points" by working in approved productions. Yes, it's a catch-22; you can't join until you work so many productions, but you can't audition for most of those productions unless you're in the union. You can visit each union's websites for information about membership requirements.

There's one other way to get an Equity card; there are some university acting programs, like Yale, where each student gets an equity card upon graduation. That's more than a little bit worthit!

Answer 2

Once you have at least 5 years of experience, you can think about joining a union. Its generally not required for actors and actresses just breaking into the business. And its very costly as well.

Answer 3

There are three professional actor unions:

The actor unions are SAG (Screen Actors Guild)
AFTRA (American Federation of TV and Radio Actors)
AEA (Actors Equity Association for theatre.)

At this stage, don't do anything. Get a few more years of experience under your belt before you think about unions.

Answer 4

I have a friend I knew him in Los Angeles, He had striking features, and the soaps hired him. He moved to LA from Alabama, because there were more opportunities.

Answer 5

NYU!! great acting education. lots of broadway people went there. don't know if you want theater stuff or tv stuff, but theater's better.