5 Types Of NYC Auditions For Non-Equity Actors - Actor Aesthetic (2024)

There are five types of New Yorkauditions (withsome fancy acronyms): Equity Principal Calls (EPA), Equity Chorus Calls (ECC) for Dancers, Equity Chorus Calls (ECC) for Singers, Open Calls, and Submissions Calls.

So howdo you go about them if you are anEMC (Equity Membership Candidate) or non-Equity?

I got you.

Who: Singers and actors

How to get a slot:The monitor will begin taking sign ups an hour before the audition,with union actors being the first to sign up and receive slots. Depending on what your status is (EMC or non-Equity) and where the audition is located, you may have to put yourself on an official or unofficial list.

*EMC: Will be seen only if an equity member doesn’t show up for their appointment, if the team is running ahead of schedule, and there are no equity alternates left on the alternate list. EMCs MUST sign up before lunch break. EMC list is honored before non-equity list. Bring your EMC card. (your union status will be only be honored at EPA's. At ECC’s you are considered non-Equity).

*Non-Equity:Will be seen only if an equity member doesn’t show up for their appointment, if the team is running ahead of schedule, there are no equity alternates left on the alternate list and no EMCs left.

General rule: Keep your audition under 2 minutes, at least 32 bars, and follow instructions on the audition notice.

Procedure:You must be there when they call your name. If the stars align and you happen to snag a spot, the monitor will line you up, tell you who is in the room and what they are looking for.

Who: Dancers

How to get a slot: EMC and non-equity are all considered non-equity at ECC's. You sign up on an unofficial list the morning of the audition and will be seen only if time allows. If the creative team types equity actors, non-equity will not be seen.

General rule: Audition notice will tell you what you need to bring, however, ALWAYS bring both music book and all dance clothes/shoes

Procedure: Once all equity members have been seen, wait for your name to be called and monitor will give you audition card with number on the top. Fill out the audition card with name, audition, phone number, email, and resume.

Callbacks and cuts: The creative team may make a cut and ask certain dancers to stay and learn more choreography or sing after all other dancers have auditioned. They will tell you which type of music/how long of a cut they would like before you go in.

Who: Singers

How to get a slot: EMC and non-equity are all considered non-equity at ECC's. You sign up on an unofficial list the morning of the audition and will be seen only if time allows. If the creative team types equity actors, non-equity will not be seen.

General rule:The audition notice will tell you what you need to bring, however, ALWAYS bring both music book and all dance clothes/shoes

Procedure: Once all equity members have been seen, the monitor willline up groups of 10, collect headshots and audition cards, tell you who is in the room and what they are looking for. At 16 bars, monitors typically get through about 40 people an hour.

Callbacks: Theaters may ask you to stay and dance after all singers have sung.

Who: No difference between Equity, non-Equity, and EMC in the order in which you'll be seen

General Rule: Please don't arrive 5 hours before and sign up 30 of your friends.

Procedure (toss up!): Some are run like equity chorus calls honoring the first person in line. Some have no monitor and an unofficial list will be honored. Some theaters see everyone. Some theaters may type. Some theaters may cut the list off at a certain number.

Pro: Open opportunity for non-equity to be seen and hired

Con: Can be completely chaotic, especially if it is highly advertised

Who: Submissions can be for equity, EMC, OR non-equity

How to get a slot: Through agent, or self submission through email, mail,Actors Accessor Playbill.com, Backstage, etc.

Procedure: Once you get a slot, arrive AT LEAST ten minutes before your audition, check in with the monitor, and wait until they are ready to see you.

5 Types Of NYC Auditions For Non-Equity Actors - Actor Aesthetic (2024)

FAQs

5 Types Of NYC Auditions For Non-Equity Actors - Actor Aesthetic? ›

There are five types of New York auditions (with some fancy acronyms): Equity Principal Calls (EPA), Equity Chorus Calls (ECC) for Dancers, Equity Chorus Calls (ECC) for Singers, Open Calls, and Submissions Calls.

What are the different types of auditions for acting? ›

An audition is essentially a job interview for an acting job. There are three main types of auditions: casting calls, casting auditions and theater auditions. General auditions, referred to as casting calls, are open to anyone – experienced or not.

Can non equity actors audition? ›

But what if you aren't part of the union? If you're “Non-Eq,” can you still go to an Equity audition? Yes, you can! However, you might be turned away without receiving the opportunity to dance.

What is an ECC audition? ›

Most broadway dancer calls will be called “ECCs” or Equity Chorus Calls. This is where it gets tricky. While broadway calls are primarily for equity performers, you can still attend as a non-equity performer.

What does audition call type EPA mean? ›

EPA stands for Eligible Performer Audition, and AEA stands for Actors' Equity Association. This means the audition is only open to people who are members of the Actors' union, called Actors' Equity, or to performers who are eligible to become Equity members.

What are the 4 key types of actors? ›

Whether they infuse characters with their own personality or metamorphose entirely with each new part, performers often fall into one of four main categories: personality, chameleon, creative, or nonprofessional.

What are all four acting categories? ›

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences annually bestows Academy Awards for acting performances in the following four categories: Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Supporting Actress.

What does non Equity mean in acting? ›

A theater or production that is not produced and performed by AEA members may be called "non-Equity". Actors' Equity Association. Abbreviation. AEA.

Do non Equity actors get paid? ›

Non-equity actors give up AEA membership benefits and often earn less money than their equity counterparts. When negotiating contracts, you are under no earning restrictions. You can work for as little or as much as you are willing to accept, creating a large variance in non-equity earnings.

Is it OK to decline an audition? ›

When you attend an audition, just as there is obviously no guarantee you will book it, there is equally no obligation to take it. Actor power! Kisses. It is always OK to say no/turn down a job.

What is a vo audition? ›

Many casting directors conduct remote voice-over auditions where performers record an audio track using a prepared script. Agencies may provide a specific script for voice-over artists to read during an audition, or they may ask participants to prepare their own sample to show how their talents fit the project.

What is EPA vs ECC? ›

An ECC customarily occupies one day, with men in the morning and women in the afternoon, or vice versa, while an EPA may go on for three or four (not always consecutive) days. At an EPA you're allowed to sing 32 bars or a “short song,” by which they mean a song that lasts two minutes, not one.

Can you audition for Broadway without an equity card? ›

But know this first—Equity auditions are only open to Equity members. It is a catch 22. When Broadway shows audition, they typically only see union members. However, If audition attendance is low and the casting team feels they have time, they open up the audition to non-union members.

What is a non-Equity audition? ›

There are also some open call (meaning, the audition is not selective and any one can go) auditions that allow people with or without Equity cards to audition. Some tours are non-Equity tours, which means only non-Equity actors can audition and people with Equity cards generally cannot.

What is VTR in audition? ›

auditions, castings, TV commercials (TVC), and video- tape recordings (VTR) opportunities within the. entertainment industry.

What is an MOS audition? ›

THE HARDEST AUDITIONS for most actors are those in which you do not speak, commonly called MOS spots. These are the spots where there is no dialogue, but a specific situation is occurring. The session director gives you a group explanation and puts everyone through the paces.

What are 3 ways to become an actor? ›

Here's how to become an actor in six steps:
  • Get into local theater. ...
  • Take acting classes. ...
  • Prepare a headshot, résumé, and demo reel. ...
  • Audition for professional acting roles. ...
  • Keep updating your résumé and demo reel. ...
  • Get an agent.
Feb 27, 2024

What are the three main types of acting? ›

What are the 4 Types of Acting? The four major types of acting techniques include Classical Acting, Stanislavski's Method, Method Acting, and Meisner Technique.

What is an actors audition called? ›

Screen test. A screen test is a filmed audition in which an actor performs a scene from a script or improvises a scene in order to demonstrate their acting ability. In other words, it's a recorded audition.

How do most actors get auditions? ›

If you're looking for ways to find acting auditions near you or in other cities, consider using the following steps below:
  • Network within your professional circle. ...
  • Use various social media outlets. ...
  • Look for casting calls in your area. ...
  • Sign up to join online audition sites.
Feb 12, 2024

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