Actors' Equity Association

As we enter election season, Equity is committed to ensuring our digital spaces remain fair and focused on union business. To prevent campaigning on official channels, we’ve turned off comments until the conclusion of the election. We value your engagement and appreciate your understanding the need to ensure compliance with federal labor law.

The 2026 ACCA Award Nominees have been announced! This year's nominees are: - @jellicleball - @chessbroadway - @ragtimeonbroadway - @schmigadoonmusical The winner will be announced in early June, and the ACCA Award for Outstanding Broadway Chorus will be presented at the 2026 Actors' Equity Foundation Award ceremony on June 22, 2026. ---- Presented by Equity's Advisory Committee on Chorus Affairs, the ACCA Award is the first industry accolade of its kind to honor the distinctive talents and contributions made by the original chorus members of a Broadway musical. Click the link in bio to read the full announcement.

Four times a year, we gather online to remember those we've lost. Our Memorial Gatherings are held on Zoom and open both to Equity Members and our friends. Join us May 18 to read names, share stories and hold space for the people we miss.

Equity members with caregiving responsibilities can now request reimbursement for hiring caregiving services that allow them to volunteer for union business. Visit the member portal to learn more. Click the link in bio to learn more.

The Legacy Robe is 75! Today we meet Jeffrey Bateman, Equity Field Representative and the keeper of the Robe tradition! We asked Jeffrey what he hopes future chorus and robe recipients take away from this tradition. Visit our profiles to watch the other conversations celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Legacy Robe!

*Breathes deeply* IT’S THE FINAL COUNTDOOOOWN!! Hopefully by now you’ve looked up your candidates and gotten your ballot (or requested a replacement one). Michael Matthys is here to let you know that all that’s left is to fill it out and mail it in so your vote can be counted! All ballots must be RECEIVED by TUESDAY, MAY 19th! This is also a friendly reminder to make sure your dues are paid! You need to be paid up to be a member in good standing and have your vote counted. Thank you for making the future of our union brighter with your participation in our democracy. In solidarity, Member Ed <3 #unionstrong #solidarity #vote #electionseason #EquityReelTalk ________________ Visual description – Michael Matthys is a white man with short, dark blonde hair. He is wearing glasses, a black shirt with a yellow symbol on it, as well as an open, gray hoodie.

As we first announced in 2023, today marks the official end of the Equity Membership Candidate program. As of today, EMCs will no longer be recognized for priority audition access and will be seen on the same basis as other non-Equity actors. Thanks to Equity's Open Access membership policy, you are eligible to join the union as soon as you are ready. Remember, you must complete any non-Equity contracts prior to joining the union. If you are still keeping track of your EMC points, you can think of this as being granted the rest of the points you were missing. When you opt to join the union, any fees you have paid to Equity for the EMC program will be applied to your initiation fee. This is true whether you apply today or in the future, with no expiration date. You can learn more about Open Access on our website -

🚨 Advocacy Alert 🚨 Support State Arts Funding! The Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund is up for renewal in the CA legislature, and we need your help to support the budget allocation of $40 million in the 2026–2027 budget. What can you do? ✍️ Send a letter to your reps! (Available at the 🔗 in our bio) 📣 Share with your networks What is the PAEPF? The PAEPF was designed to strengthen small nonprofit performing arts organizations – theaters, orchestras, dance companies, and other live performance groups with annual budgets under $2 million – by helping them meet payroll obligations and sustain employment for artists and staff. Small nonprofit performing arts organizations across California continue to face severe financial strain due to prolonged pandemic recovery, rising operational costs, and declining federal support. The initial rollout of the PAEPF underscored both overwhelming demand and administrative challenges. With over $40 million in application requests and only $11.5 million in the fund, the application portal had to close within days due to oversubscription, demonstrating the scale of unmet need. Take 3 minutes and sign the letter today!

Reproductive Resources available in the member portal. Find resources covering topics such as pregnancy laws and disability accommodations, reproductive loss, abortion care, as well as general resources for pregnant members, parents and guardians. Click the link in bio to learn more.

Four times a year, we gather online to remember those we've lost. Our Memorial Gatherings are held on Zoom and open both to Equity Members and our friends. Join us May 18 to read names, share stories and hold space for the people we miss. Click the link in bio to register.

Ballots for the 2026 Actors' Equity Association Officer and Councilor Election were mailed on Wednesday, April 22. This year's election will be conducted solely via mail ballot. Ballots were sent to your 2026 Ballot Mailing Address listed on your account on the member portal. If you did not receive (or if you misplaced) your original ballot, you must request a duplicate ballot no later than May 7 at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT / 6 p.m. MT / 5 p.m. PT. Duplicate ballots must be requested by email to [email protected] or by calling 877-455-9367. When requesting a replacement ballot, please mention that it is for the Actors' Equity Association election and provide your Equity name, Member ID and phone number. Your completed ballot must be received no later than Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at 5 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. CT / 3 p.m. MT / 2 p.m. PT to be counted.

Each month, Equity shares the names of recently deceased members in order to honor their passing and pay our respects. You may read about the losses in our community reported to Equity for April 2026 on the member portal. /newsandevents/news/news-detail/2026/05/01/losses-in-the-equity-community-from-april-2026