Careers - Trade Unions

Acting

Acting

Theatre

Television

Stage Management

Other Careers

Directors,Playwrights
& Designers

Trade Unions

Careers Trade Unions

The trade union for actors, stage managers and some directors is the British Actors Equity Association, better known as Equity. Equity membership enables you to secure professional engagements more easily and to have your terms and conditions of employment protected by the agreements which exist between the union and employers. It is difficult to obtain professional employment without an 'Equity Card'. Theatre and television companies can take on a limited number of non-members each year, who are then promoted to membership of the union.

Again, attending drama school provides enormous advantages. On the one hand, it creates the opportunities to be seen by potential employers; on the other, graduates of NCDT-accredited courses are entitled to automatic membership of the union.

The union for theatre technicians is BECTU (Broadcasting, Entertainment, Cinematograph & Theatre Union). This similarly protects the terms and conditions of its members through the agreements it has forged with employers.