This next paragraph can be considered an author's note, feel free to skip to the second paragraph to the actual content of the article.
It is no surprise that most of my reviews or commentary is pertaining to theater. This is my passion, education, and hopefully will become my gradual line of work. This is what I am learning and experiencing so it will is the closest to an "educated" article I can provide without becoming a documented professional or feeling like I am misinforming you, the reader. These writings on my experiences may also serve value to those going through a similar experience or even those considering the path of theater as a livelihood. Maybe it is only for those who just love the stage and like to see a documentation of someone continuing to go through it and love it. Irregardless of the impact, it will be something I continue to write about; with the occasional splash of other genres, with passion and perspective. The reason for the explanation or synopsis is that the following article is about my reasoning of why someone interested in the field of theater, regardless of being student or plan to go straight into the workforce, should work on an equity show. For those who do not know what this means, it is a show that follows the rules and regulations of the Actors and Stage Managers Equity Union. This is meant to protect the professionals in the field and explains how one can join. Equity covers the shows on Broadway and expands to many tiers of Off-Broadway shows. For further knowledge on this association I will leave a link in the comments for their professional site. By the time this article is posted I will be finishing the run of my second equity show as a rising Junior in my major. Hopefully this will be seen as me being experience in what I discuss in this article. — Chloe Lynn Meyer
The summer production was "Always, Patsy Cline" a show about the friendship of Patsy Cline with Houston housewife, Louise Segar. It was a unique narrative told only by two female performers playing the roles of Louise and Patsy. The production was done in Woods Theater, a part of the Monmouth University campus, that becomes equity Shadow Lawn Theater in the summer season. Though you would not mistake the theater for something on Broadway, it upheld all the regulations and values expected in a professional setting.
I feel that if it is possible to work an equity show, even if it is a smaller production, it should be a priority for those who want to be involved in this field. From day one, you are not seen as some college student or kid, you are an adult. Your Stage Manager, Director, and Actors rely on you to do your job. It is not like a teacher reminding you to do an assignment, it is expected of you. This can be a heavier weight depending on the job given, but no matter what it has value on the quality of the show.
Especially for those just getting started, working a show at this level is a learning experience. As someone aspiring to work in stage management, I got to witness an equity professional firsthand. It becomes more than just a person sitting next to the director, the stage manager was everything. With records of all movement, she knew the show sometimes more than anyone performing or directing it. The stage manager even takes over the show once the duties of the director are finished. I learned my future position is everything from the master of the show, protector of the director's vision, and protector of the actors themselves. I still feel great excitement for my future career, however it could have easily gone the other direction. The precious summer I worked in set design more heavily and hated every moment. This is a big part of why aspiring theater workers must do these experience, learn what you want or don't want to do. It will even teach you skills that were never taught. A rising sophomore that was invited to work the show was originally there to just run the house and help people to their seats. However, once teching, the process of adding the lighting and sound to a show, was underway the lighting designer added a spotlight. So this student was given new job that he had to learn in under a week. Not only did he learn a skill that could become useful in his future, but learned to do it at a pace of what professionals threw at him.
The biggest reason why I loved the process of working in an equity production and promote people getting a chance to work one is the feeling of equality to everyone. Yes, no matter what there is someone who is your boss, often multiple. However, this isn't the same feeling as working with a professor or that minimum wage job for extra cash. It is the feeling of people giving you a skilled job and knowing you can do it, that they appreciate you doing it. I had two major jobs once the show was running, making sure props were in place and doing the quick changes for one of the actresses. This resulted in me being the only crew member being at the stage level with only a headset to be my lifeline. My stage manager respected my developing skills and entrusted me with the responsibility of making things run as expected. Even though that may not be something that as an audience member notices, those who are working the show do.
