EPAs & ECCs
The rules as Equity publishes them, in plain words. Each point links to the rule itself.
EPA and ECC: what they are
An Equity Principal Audition (EPA) is for principal roles; an Equity Chorus Call (ECC) is for the chorus, singers and dancers. Both run under Equity’s own procedures, and in New York an Equity monitor runs the line.
Equity’s rule →Signing up for an EPA online
Equity members sign up through the member portal. Online sign-up opens at 12:00 noon one week before the audition and closes at 12:00 noon on the business day before. Four of the six appointments in each 20-minute time slot are open to online sign-up. You can cancel online up to one hour before your slot.
Equity’s rule →Signing up in person on the day
Members who don’t sign up online can arrive before the call’s start time to pick an appointment. Two of the six appointments in each slot are held for in-person sign-up, first come, first served, and only paid-up members are given a time. The Equity monitor arrives one hour before the start.
Equity’s rule →Checking in
Check in with the monitor ten minutes before your appointment. If you are late you lose the appointment, with no exceptions, but you may take a new appointment if one is open or sign up on Alternate List A.
Equity’s rule →The alternate lists
Time left in a 20-minute slot goes to people on two open-ended lists. List A is for members with no appointment, called before List B, which is for members who already have a later slot and want to go earlier. Alternates are seen as time permits and there is no guarantee. You must be there when your name is called.
Equity’s rule →Chorus calls (ECC)
Members can sign up online through Casting Call via the member portal, starting at 9:00 am one week before and ending at 2:00 pm the business day before. Members without a sign-up should arrive 30 minutes before the call to get a card after the sign-up list is read. Once the first member enters the room, casting may close the call. Casting may also type actors in the room, which closes the call to non-Equity actors.
Equity’s rule →Non-Equity actors
Equity’s procedures for appointment-based Equity auditions say non-Equity actors can’t schedule appointments at required Equity auditions. A producer who wishes to see them may ask them to come on the chance there is time, on a separate list, and they are seen only if no Equity member is waiting. Whether non-members are seen at a given call is the casting team’s choice, never a guarantee, so read each notice.
Equity’s rule →EMC is closed
Equity says the Equity Membership Candidate (EMC) program was phased out in 2023 with the introduction of Open Access membership. Check each call’s notice for who is being seen.
Equity’s rule →What to bring
Equity’s guidance for producers suggests reminding performers to bring a picture and resume stapled together. The call notice states what to prepare, for example a monologue, or a song in your key with sheet music; follow it.
Equity’s rule →
Checked October 24, 2026. Rules change: Equity’s own page always wins.