Actors’ Equity announced protocols for a return to in-person auditions starting this week.
Employers must hold the auditions themselves — Equity audition centers cannot be used and Equity monitors will not be present. Actors must either provide proof of vaccination or a recent, negative COVID-19 test to attend, according to protocols sent to members Tuesday.
Masks will be required whenever the actor is not actively auditioning and at all times during dance auditions.
These protocols are effective from March 15 through May 29, 2022 and intended to be re-evaluated thereafter. Up to this point in the pandemic, required Equity principal and Equity chorus auditions had all been virtual. However, some casting offices have conducted select hybrid virtual and in-person auditions by appointment since the fall.
“Members have been asking for a return to in-person Equity auditions, so we have been working closely with our health and safety consultants to figure out a way to make them happen as safely as possible,” said a spokesperson for Actors’ Equity.
Actors’ Equity is not yet aware of any upcoming in-person auditions, as the guidelines are being sent to employers Wednesday, the spokesperson said.
Equity monitors will not be provided because they are currently not on staff at the union. While an Equity monitor will not be present, the employer must hire at least one COVID-19 Safety Manager to be present in the holding area, according to the protocols.
Unlike auditions in the past, actors will not be allowed to conduct vocal warm-ups in the waiting or holding areas nor to eat meals in those areas.
Equity members must also make appointments ahead of the audition date to attend.
