New year, new Equity requirements: in a statement released via email to Actors' Equity Association members, the actor and stage manager union has announced that their "pandemic-era policy" allowing virtual-only open calls will come to an end this year. Beginning January 2, 2023, all required Equity Auditions must be held in person.

Employers are able to allow video submissions as an additional option, but video auditions alone will not fulfill Equity's contractual audition requirements. This measure is separate from the union's newly created pilot program, established by the recently ratified Production contract, that will allow for video submissions as an official part of Equity-required calls.

In addition to this change, AEA has also announced that walk-in appointments and day-of waiting lists are once again available for all Equity auditions, meaning that candidates who are not able to secure an appointment via online sign-ups will be able to arrive at auditions day-of with the potential of scheduling a walk-in appointment or signing up on the alternate list. The union shared a reminder that online sign-ups are still available solely for auditions that held at Actor's Equity Audition Centers; all other appointments must be scheduled directly through employers.

Earlier in the COVID-19 pandemic, the union allowed employers to receive video auditions in lieu of in-person auditions under a set list of conditions, including a requirement for employers to provide a way for members to submit their auditions without paying any fee, that video submissions be destroyed following the collection of callbacks, and that video submission requests be posted at least two weeks prior to their due date. 

Members can view the full report here.