The non-Equity world of acting is a vague one in terms of contract logistics: Will the theater provide housing? Are they paying for your travel? What will life with the theater be like? As a result, it’s imperative that you look out for yourself and know what’s ok and what’s definitely not ok when it comes to non-Equity work.
A few months ago, I found myself in a situation that was quickly becoming unlivable. It was the result of a theater job that promised—albeit vaguely—a livable housing situation that I assumed would be fine, but after some time, it was clear that it wasn’t a healthy or realistic way for me to live.
How did I find myself in this situation? I got vague answers from the theater owners who knew they were skirting important details on housing and, unfortunately, I didn’t push for adequate answers. My lack of understanding, their lack of explanation, and my realization that there’s a line that cannot be crossed when it comes to getting work and caring for your self-worth ultimately led to me breaking a contract.
If you find yourself with an offer for work that includes housing, you need to pay attention and you need to be honest with yourself about what you can and
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