The Truth About Being A Non-Union Actor in New York City
The hustle is real.
Get to Pearl at 4:00 a.m., go home to get ready, come back to Pearl by 8:00 a.m., wait for up to 6-8 hours, and then to hear the dreaded words that no non-union artist wants to hear: “Sorry, we’re not seeing non-union today.”
Being a non-union performer can be very discouraging at times, especially during audition season in New York City.
“Audition season,” the season between January and May, is the busiest audition time of the year. Actors rush to buildings such as Pearl Studios and Ripley-Grier Studios at the earliest hours of the morning in hopes to get in the audition room and book their dream job. From my experience, the later in the season, the higher chance that non-union artists will be seen. (For instance, I have been seen for more auditions in March than I did in January and February combined. However, that is not always the case.)
While there are so many uncertainties with being a non-union actor in the city, there is one thing that most of us can probably agree on: the unofficial lists for Equity Auditions are getting out-of-hand.
Unofficial lists are starting at 10:00 p.m. the night before. If you get there by 4:00 a.m., you might be number 60 or 70 on the list. Lists have been ripped to shreds, left and right. It has encouraged unsafe risks and bad practices. (It’s not safe to be outside in midtown Manhattan at 4:30 in the morning.)
Certain audition studios have recently been cracking down on unofficial lists. At a recent EPA for an upcoming Broadway show, those present in the Ripley-Grier holding room were allowed to sign up first before the actors who signed up in the wee hours of the morning (and weren’t present). Pearl Studios and Ripley-Grier Studios have both gotten stricter with this protocol, which is fair and equitable for those in attendance. Plus, it’s encouraging safe practices (which results in clearer longevity for hustling in the business).
Thanks to advancements in technology, sites like The Hustle NYC and Audition Update (Backstage) have been excellent points of references to determine if non-union will be seen that day. The Hustle (@thehustlenyc) provides regular Instagram story updates, which can be a great resource if someone is running from their work shift or at another audition studio.
Actors’ Equity Association Building in New York City
Although being an actor in the city is full of eagerness and excitement amidst the hustle, it can be equally discouraging, soul-crushing, and exhausting when non-union actors don’t get seen from one audition to the next. And, I know so many non-union artists who feel the same. So what’s the solution? I don’t know. Perhaps an online signup (although many AEA members are experiencing similar struggles with getting appointments through online sign ups because of the vast number in the queue at a time.) I think that what certain studios are doing, such as allowing first priority for those present in the holding room, is a good first step.
And, what can we do as actors? Let’s start by choosing kindness. Stop signing up 20 of your friends on the unofficial list if they’re not present. Don’t make three different lists. Be kind to your Equity monitor. Times sure are hard for dreamers, but we can pave the road of dreams with kindness, empathy, and love.
Keep showing up, keep fighting the good fight, and keep on dreaming. You’re doing the thing and I’m proud of you.
Luke Gilmore (he/him) recently moved to New York City in September and has been an NYC non-union actor, singer, and dancer ever since! He graduated from Oklahoma City University in May of 2022 with a Bachelor of Music in Music Theatre and a minor in Mass Communications. Luke was most recently seen as Hamm in Harry Connick Jr.’s The Happy Elf at The Argyle Theatre on Long Island. Some of Luke’s favorite credits include Godspell (Theatre Atchison Pro), Freaky Friday (New Theatre & Restaurant), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (The Theatre in the Park), and Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus (Coterie Theatre). Luke was also seen in Kevin Cloud’s song cycle, Something More, at NYC’s Rockwood Music Hall last fall, as well as in the choir for NYC’s newest holiday extravaganza, Christmas Time in the City. Luke is passionate for arts administrative work, as well, and has worked on staff for organizations such as Kansas City Ballet, OCU STRIPPED, Kaleidoscope Theatre, and the OCUNYC Alumni Network.