Canadian Actors' Equity Association
Canadian Actors' Equity Association (CAEA) is the professional organization of performers, directors, choreographers, and stage managers in Canada who are engaged in English-language live performance, including the stage, opera, ballet, and dance.
Equity in Canada was founded in 1955 as a branch of Actors' Equity in the United States and an amicable separation was achieved in 1976. Administration and governing of the union remain similar to Actors' Equity in the United States. Leaders of the two unions meet regularly to oversee smooth working transitions from country to country.
How to Join
There are two ways to become a member of CAEA. The first is by signing an Equity contract. Also, a member of another performing arts union or association in Canada, or in the United States, must become a member of CAEA to work in a theatre that operates under Equity's jurisdiction. The principle is that a performer can't be a professional in one part of the business and a nonprofessional in another. Membership may also be secured through a recognized Apprenticeship program.
Dues and Initiation Fees
If a person joins Equity via contract, the initiation fee is $725. Under the apprentice method, the apprentice pays $100 per show as an acting apprentice, or $50 per show as a stage management apprentice, to a limit of $300. These apprentice fees are credited to the initiation fee when the apprentice becomes a member. If joining as a member of another union, a member may deduct the amount paid as an initiation fee to a maximum of 50 percent of CAEA's initiation fee.
Basic dues are $120 per year. In addition to the basic dues, members pay 2 percent of their contractual weekly fees up to a maximum of $ 1,050 per calendar year.
Membership Benefits
Canadian Actors' Equity Association administers a Registered Retirement Savings Plan for members; an Accident and Sickness Insurance Plan; places travel insurance for all members; records contracts and ensures that they correspond to the Agreements; and guarantees that every member is bonded so that if a theatre closes, members will receive a termination fee plus any other monies owing. In addition, CAEA operates an Equity Hotline with information about auditions and other opportunities which is updated daily and publishes a regular newsletter.
CAEA has two offices: The national office is in Toronto. There is also a Western office in Vancouver.
Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television, and Radio Artists
The Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television, and Radio Artists (ACTRA) represents performers in the recorded media, from TV series, commercials and radio dramas to movies-of-the-week and feature films. It is the equivalent of both Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists in the United States.
How to Join
There are five steps to becoming a full ACTRA member:
- Get cast in a speaking role in a film/series/movie-of-the-week or a silent on camera (SOC) role in a commercial.
- Buy a work permit from the ACTRA Membership Department and tell them you want to join the apprenticeship program. Pay an initiation fee, attend an Apprentice members' meeting, and receive an apprentice member's card.
- Accumulate five additional paid work permits (or two additional permits if you are a visible minority or differently abled) for roles other than background/stand-in roles.
- When you purchase your sixth work permit (or third, in case of minority/disability status) inform the ACTRA Membership Department that you wish to become a Full Member.
- Attend a full members' meeting and receive your ACTRA member's card.
ACTRA negotiates and administers agreements with producers, studios, TV, radio, and cable networks. It ensures members have a safe work environment; are paid for both their work and the future use of their image; administers an insurance and retirement plan for members; and provides training and professional development opportunities.
ACTRA's main office is in Toronto.
