AEA FACT SHEET

Actors' Equity Association (AEA or ‘Equity’), founded in 1913, represents more than 48,000 Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. Equity seeks to advance, promote and foster the art of live theatre as an essential component of our society. Equity negotiates wages and working conditions, providing a wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans. AEA is a member of the AFL-CIO and is affiliated with FIA, an international organization of performing arts unions.

Equity is governed by its own members through an elected Council, representing principal actors, chorus actors and stage managers living in three regions: Eastern, Central and Western. Members at large participate in Equity’s governance through a system of regional Boards and Committees. Equity has 24 designated area liaison cities with over 100 members each.

President: Nick Wyman
Executive Director: Mary McColl
Membership: Over 48,000 members, including singers, actors, dancers, stage managers
Founded: May 26, 1913, in New York City
Offices: New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Orlando

Among the benefits that may be included in Equity contracts are:

• Minimum Salaries, including overtime, pay for additional duties, housing and/or per diem while touring
• Contract Negotiation and Administration
• Health Insurance and Pension Plan, 401k, Supplemental Workers’ Compensation Insurance
• Work Rules, Vacation and Sick Pay
• Bonding to guarantee Salaries, Benefits
• Job Access
• Dispute Resolution
• Just Cause (penalties for improper dismissal)
• Tax Assistance through Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program
• Advocacy for Arts Funding and Legislation Benefiting Performing Artists, Non-Traditional Casting
• Access to Actors’ Federal Credit Union, providing free checking, Visa cards, mortgages, car loans and more

  Contracts:
  Equity negotiates and promulgates over 40 national and local contracts including Production (Broadway and touring), LORT (League of Resident Theatres), Stock, Small Professional Theatre (SPT), WCLO, Dinner Theatre, Theatre for Young Audiences, Live Corporate Communications, Off Broadway, Chicago and Hollywood Area Theatres, and numerous agreements for developing not-for-profit theatres.