Auditions and Job Interviews

For the safety of all involved, Equity is encouraging employers to postpone in-person auditions and schedule them for a time after the COVID-19 health concerns have passed or guidelines for safe auditions have been set. As an alternative, we are offering employers the opportunity to request video audition submissions from our members in place of holding in-person Equity auditions for principal roles and chorus parts.

EQUITY AUDITIONS FOR PRINCIPAL ROLES (in place of EPAs)

Employers may solicit video audition submissions in lieu of holding their required Equity auditions for principal roles with the following provisions:
Employers will submit a notice requesting video audition submissions for posting on Equity’s Casting Call website. The notice shall be received by Equity by the deadline for audition notice submission in the employer’s agreement (e.g., if the agreement requires casting notices to be submitted at least two weeks prior to the audition date, the request for video submissions should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the deadline for members to submit their auditions).
Video audition submissions will be viewed only by those who meet the casting personnel requirements of the employer’s agreement. Once submissions have been viewed and actors are selected for callbacks, video audition submissions will be destroyed.
Video audition submissions are to be used for casting purposes only and will not be utilized or distributed for any other purpose.
Employers will offer callbacks to at least five self-submitted Equity members or one self-submitted member per available role, whichever is greater. If the employer will cast the show(s) entirely through electronic means, these callbacks may also be held electronically. If the employer will hold live in-person auditions of any kind with Equity’s consent, they must invite the members who submitted video auditions to live callbacks as well.
Employers will include in the casting notice a link to a one-minute (or longer) cut of accompaniment for each vocal part (soprano, alto, tenor, bass). Employers may ask all members auditioning to use the provided accompaniment to record their audition, or they may also give members the option to audition with a song of their choosing, for which they will provide their own accompaniment.
Employers shall provide a way for members to submit their audition without paying any fee or providing personal information (beyond an e-mail address) to a third party.
Video audition submissions in lieu of in-person Equity auditions for principal roles are being allowed strictly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and should not be seen as precedent setting moving forward.

EQUITY AUDITIONS FOR CHORUS PARTS (in place of ECCs)

Employers may solicit video audition submissions in lieu of holding their required Equity auditions for chorus parts with the following provisions:

Employers will submit a notice requesting video audition submissions for posting on Equity’s Casting Call website. The notice shall be received by Equity by the deadline for audition notice submission in the employer’s agreement (e.g., if the agreement requires casting notices to be submitted at least two weeks prior to the audition date, the request for video submissions should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the deadline for members to submit their auditions).
In the notice, employers will include a link to an optional 16-bar cut of accompaniment for members to use when recording their audition.
If the notice is seeking dancers, employers will also include a link to instruction (with accompaniment) for members to learn the combination(s) requested.
Video audition submissions will be seen only by those who meet the casting personnel requirements of the employer’s agreement. Once submissions have been viewed and actors are selected for callbacks, video audition submissions will be destroyed.
Video audition submissions are to be used for casting purposes only and will not be utilized or distributed for any other purpose.
Employers shall provide a way for members to submit their audition without paying any fee or providing personal information (beyond an e-mail address) to a third party.
Video audition submissions in lieu of in-person Equity auditions for chorus parts are being allowed strictly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and should not be seen as precedent setting moving forward.

Casting Call is Equity's internal job board, the best way to advertise audition notices and stage manager openings to Equity Members. Please complete this form for each notice you would like to post. Notices submitted to Equity by the appropriate deadline (set by your Equity agreement) will also be published in Trade publications. Please note: should you have multiple notice types, you must complete a separate form for each notice.

Audition/job notices should be submitted by email to the region where your audition/interview will occur. Find your region.

Eastern Region: easternauditions@actorsequity.org

Central Region: centralauditions@actorsequity.org

Western Region: westernauditions@actorsequity.org

CASTING CALL NOTICE GUIDELINES

At Equity, we believe that the key to a great casting or job notice is clear and accurate information. When you provide the right information in your notice, you'll be sure to get more of the appropriate actors at your auditions or stage managers at your interviews. Here are the essentials of an effective Equity notice. Be sure to consult your agreement for more specific requirements.

NOTICE TYPE Equity Principal Auditions (EPAs), Equity Chorus Call (ECC), Stage Manager Job Notice or Photo/Resume Requests (appropriate for non-required auditions only).

EQUITY AGREEMENT under which the production is being produced (e.g. Production Contract, SPT Tier 4, LOA). Please be sure to include your current weekly salary.

DATE(S) AND HOURS for the auditions, including lunch break (e.g. Friday, May 18, 2018, 9:30am – 5:30pm, Lunch 1pm – 2pm)

LOCATION at which the auditions will take place, including any special information a performer might need to find the location (e.g. Scenic Playhouse, Huge Multi-tenant Building, 123 Stage Door Road, Anywhere, US. Enter through the stage door, opposite the library. Anywhere is 4 miles east of Somewhere, CA on US Rte 457.)

NAMES OF PERSONNEL involved in the production (Author(s), Producer, Artistic Director, Stage Director, Musical Director, Choreographer, etc.) If your agreement requires that you include the name(s) and title(s) of the casting personnel expected to attend your audition, note that here as well.

DATES of the first rehearsal, first preview (if applicable), official opening and closing. If the production plays an unusual schedule (e.g. weekends only or three shows per day), or if your agreement requires you to list your performance schedule, please include this information as well.

APPOINTMENTS When holding EPAs or ECCs in New York, Chicago or Los Angeles, those cities' audition procedures must be observed. (EPA procedures | ECC procedures) Outside these metro areas, some theatres prefer to conduct auditions by appointment or on a first-come, first-served basis. If you choose to hold your auditions by appointment, please consult Equity Audition Appointment Procedures to ensure that every Equity member has an equal opportunity to audition for you.

TYPE OF PERFORMERS being sought (e.g. Equity male and female actors or Equity/non-Equity singers who dance)

PREPARATION necessary for the audition (e.g. "Please prepare a brief classical comedic monologue." or "Please prepare a brief contemporary musical theatre song. Bring sheet music in your key." or "Sides will be provided.") We recommend reminding performers to bring a picture/resume stapled together.

OTHER INFORMATION our members might like to know, like your company's web address or casting philosophy.

CAST BREAKDOWN AND DESCRIPTION that meets your agreement's requirements. Some Equity agreements require complete role descriptions for all productions; others require only a list of available roles, or full descriptions for new plays/musicals only. The more complete information you provide, the better our members are able to "type themselves" prior to attending your auditions. Don't hesitate to give more information rather than less.

Please remember also to ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION BY PERFORMERS OF ALL RACES AND ETHNICITIES and, when required by your company's agreement, to identify roles that present opportunities for non-traditional or diverse and inclusive casting in your notices.