Apprentice
Probationary
Probationary Child
Provisional
Full Members
Regular Member in Good Standing
Regular Member in Arrears
Resignation from Membership
Regular Member on Dues Remission
Life Member
Other Classifications
Associate Member
Non-Resident Member
Local Jobber
Honorary Member
Regular Member in Good Standing
Anyone whose dues have been paid in full for the current dues period, with no payment outstanding. Members must be in good standing
to work in Equity's jurisdiction, and must remain in good standing during the entire contract.
Regular Member in Arrears
This refers to anyone who has not paid their basic dues within three months of billing. There is a late payment penalty of
$10.00 per quarter (three months), billed at the beginning of the quarter. If a member is working while in arrears, Equity will
demand payment of the outstanding amount from the member's engager. This amount will be deducted from the member's fees and the theatre may charge
a processing fee.
Regular Member on Withdrawal
What is Withdrawal?
Equity members who do not anticipate working for a minimum of one year may consider withdrawing from active membership status.
A withdrawal from Equity is not resignation; it simply means that you are not presently active in the live performing arts. You may
work as a producer or in an administrative capacity, which Equity considers to be outside its jurisdiction. If in doubt, check with Equity.
How to Apply for Withdrawal
To withdraw you can fill out the Withdrawal
From Membership Form, or apply in writing with an original signature to
the Executive Director.
Sample letter:
To: Executive Director, Canadian Actors' Equity Association
From: print name and membership number
Date:
I do not anticipate that I will be working within the jurisdiction of Canadian Actors' Equity Association for at least one year and
therefore request withdrawal from regular membership. I understand and agree that while on withdrawal from regular membership I will
continue to abide by the rules of Canadian Actors' Equity Association.
Yours truly,
(Signature)
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While on Withdrawal
As a withdrawn member, you do not pay basic dues. Only those members in good standing are eligible for withdrawal, so you must pay
any dues or fees that you owe at the time you go on withdrawal. Should you find yourself in exigent circumstances, you should contact
the membership department for a waiver of this requirement. If you reinstate as an active member after less than one year, it is as
if you have never been on withdrawal and you will be responsible for past periods' unpaid dues.
You can maintain your RRSP account. Please continue to advise us of your current address. Voluntary contributions may be made
to your RRSP through the Equity office or mailed directly to Great West London Life.
You have the right to benefit from the agreements Equity negotiates on behalf of its artists, and you can work
under any new contract upon reinstatement. As with active status, you may not accept work as a performer, stage manager,
director or choreographer without a properly signed Equity contract. If you are offered a contract you must reinstate and
all the normal rules of reinstatement apply. Arrangements to reinstate and pay any monies owed must be arranged with Equity's
membership department before you start work. If not, Equity will have to advise the engager to deduct the amounts owed from your
fees as well as a $15.00 penalty.
Reinstatement
After at least one year of being on withdrawal, you can reinstate your regular membership. At that time, you pay the basic dues for that period (May 1 to October 31, or November 1 to April 30), a reinstatement fee of $25.00 and any outstanding fees owing prior to going on withdrawal.
What you might be missing
The following benefits of membership while in good standing will not apply while you are on withdrawal:
1. Ability to attend Equity auditions
2. Reciprocal agreements
- ability to audition in United States for AEA work, and reduction in AEA's joining fee
- ability to audition anytime or work up to three times a year in UdA's jurisdiction
- ability to audition in ACTRA's jurisdiction and reduction of joining fee's
3. Insurance (accident coverage with deductible)
4. The Equity Newsletter: includes information on grants and industry news
5. Professional Development:
- Master Classes
- Equity Showcase Theatre - discounts and free rehearsal space etc.
- individual workshops discounts and subsidies
6. Vote in ratifications, council elections or referendums
7. Attend official Equity meetings
8. Member card benefits: discounts with businesses and theatres
9. Other:
- ID roms with the Equity digital agreements
- special publications
- contests and social events
Resignation from Membership
Members in good standing who are permanently leaving the profession may apply to resign from the association rather than go on temporary withdrawal (By-law 72). Applications for resignation are approved by council, and a member considering resignation should write to Equity's executive director.
Regular Member on Dues Remission
After a certain age, you may request a waiver from paying basic dues provided that you have been an Equity
member in good standing for at least ten years. If you belong to one of following groups, you can send a
letter to Equity's national office requesting basic dues remission:
" actors, stage managers, directors, and choreographers aged 65 years or older
" opera singers aged 55 years or older
" ballet dancers aged 45 years or older
Senior members must still pay working dues while under contract. Dues remission is not automatic, members must apply to receive it.
Life Member
A life membership is awarded at the discretion of Equity's national Council to those have made
an outstanding contribution to the performing arts and to Canadian Actors' Equity Association. Life members pay
no dues but have all rights and obligations of membership.
Associate Member
Canadian artists working on a contract of less than three (3) months can apply to become associate members, provided they agree to join as full members if they work in Equity's jurisdiction within two years after the date of the production. Associate members have all the rights and responsibilities of membership except the right to hold office or vote.
Non-Resident Member
Artists from outside of Canada who have been legally admitted into the country to work in a production may apply to Equity's Council to become non-resident members. There are two categories of non-resident membership with differing rights and responsibilities: non-resident membership for US residents and citizens, and non-resident membership for all other foreign nationals.
Local Jobber
Individuals who do not intend to make a career in professional theatre but want the experience of performing with artists working under the ITA and CTA agreements may participate as a local jobber. The performer must reside within a 50 mile radius of the theatre and limit their activity to three and two productions in their first and second years and no more than one production thereafter.
Honorary Member
An honorary membership is awarded at the discretion of Equity's national Council to non-members who have been prominent in promoting the objects of Equity or who have made an outstanding contribution to the performing arts. Honorary members may not vote and have neither rights nor obligations of membership.
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