Equity
STA Equity provides policies and guidelines to create a safe and equitable working environment for all participants.
About sta equity
Student Theatre Alliance (STA) Equity is a set of working regulations, policies, procedures, and standards which work to ensure a safe and equitable working environment. STA Equity is based off of Emerson Stage Equity, the rulebook utilized by Emerson Stage to simulate a union environment. We’ve adapted those rules to work with Student Theatre, and are constantly reviewing and identifying ways to improve these rules to better serve the participants in STA shows.
The term “Equity” comes from the Actor’s Equity Association, the union representing stage managers and actors across the US. Their largest Collectively Bargained Agreement, the League of Resident Theatres (LORT) Agreement, is the most common type of agreement and contains the majority of the rules that we use in STA Equity. This works toward our goal of educating young professionals in simulating a union environment – ensuring breaks are taken at the proper times, correct rest periods are taken, and working hours don’t exceed a daily or weekly minimum. Not only does this prepare students for working in Emerson Stage shows, but it also prepares them should they choose to continue into a regional theatre setting.
Contracts
STA Equity operates on a contractual basis. When a participant is hired, they are assigned a contract matching that position. The STA Org who is producing that show will then create the contract and send to STA Equity for execution. STA Equity supports contracts ranging from producer, to actors, to designers, ensuring everyone has a clear understanding of their expectations when on these contracts.
Contractual language is determined by the STA committee, which has representation from each of the 7 member organizations. These contracts are reviewed yearly to ensure the most up to date expectations and working policies. Contracts also follow expectations laid out in the STA Equity Rulebook.
Rulebook
The STA Equity Rulebook serves as a written guide to all policies within STA Equity’s working practices. It outlines duties of the actors and stage managers, as well as breaks, rest periods, rehearsal and performance related rules, and other information crucial to the operation of a theatrical production. These policies are set in place to ensure the most safe and equitable process for everyone involved in the production and serves as the primary reference point when questions or issues arise.
This Rulebook is reviewed annually by the STA Committee which has representation from the 7 member organizations and is continually adapting as we continue to create a more robust student theatre experience.