Actor's Equity Association is an AFL-CIO affiliated union supporting actors and stage managers. Equity is an Associated Actors and Artists of America (4As) associate, along with AGVA, AGMA, SAG-AFTRA, and GIAA (see below). Equity maintains several organizational contracts, including with LORT, COST, and CORST theatres.
American Federation of Musicians is an AFL-CIO affiliated union supporting musicians in all aspects of performance. It is the largest musicians union with about 80,000 members, and includes locals all over the country. AFM musicians make the music for Broadway.
American Guild of Musical Artists is an AFL-CIO affiliated union supporting musicians, singers, and dancers, and is an associate of the 4As. AGMA largely covers philharmonics/symphony orchestras, opera houses, and ballet companies.
American Guild of Variety Artists is an AFL-CIO affiliated union supporting performers and stage managers for live performance in the variety field. This includes dancers, singers, theme park performers, and more. Just one example, The Rockettes perform under an AGVA contract. AGVA is an associate union of the 4As.
Washington, DC based Dance/USA is the non-profit national service organization that champions the professional dance in the US. Dance/USA lists jobs & auditions, has their own e-journal, and membership conveys access to further research, advocacy, and other benefits. Allied with Dance/NYC.
Dance/NYC is the New York City based non-profit service organization that champions professional dance in the NYC area. Allied with Dance/USA.
Entertainment Services and Technology Association - "Building the Business of Show Business". ESTA is made up of individuals and businesses who create programs aimed at enhancing live entertainment technology and safety. ESTA is home to the Technical Standards Program, Entertainment Technician Certification Program (ETCP), and Rental Guard Fraud & Theft Prevention Network. They publish "Protocol", a quarterly journal, and are home to the Behind the Scenes charity that "provides financial support to entertainment technology industry professionals who are seriously ill or injured or to their surviving family members."
Guild of Italian-American Actors is an AFL-CIO affiliated union supporting Italian-American actors and the positive image of Italian-Americans in mass media and pop culture. GIAA is an associate of the 4As.
International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States, Its Territories and Canada. AFL-CIO affiliated trade union supporting a variety of off-stage crafts. Locals are organized to support various locations and crafts, and operate independently. Some locals operate an overhire or overflow list, which is a list of non-union members available for work calls when the list of union members has been exhausted, and can be a good way to get extra work.
If you work certain tours, you may receive an Associated Crafts (Yellow) Card membership. Memberships can be transferred between locals, including Yellow Cards, but this is at the discretion of the local.
IATSE is the parent union for USA 829. (See below.)
The League promotes, celebrates, advocates for, and connects women in theatre. Please see their site for more.
Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas is a voluntary membership organization for literary managers and dramaturgs. Exactly who and what a dramaturg is is best explained on their web site.
This is a Facebook site for casting calls and appreciation of Native American Actors. While it is focused on casting in TV and film in the California area, there may be some live work available.
" The SAFD is the Society of American Fight Directors, an organization of dedicated artists whose purpose is to promote safety and foster excellence in the art of performing, teaching, and directing staged combat/theatrical violence. " (https://www.safd.org/ask/faqs/safd-defined/ 2018 March 3)
Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists is an AFL-CIO affiliated union supporting film, television, and radio performers, among others in related fields. SAG-AFTRA is an associate of the 4As. Unlike AGVA or Equity, SAG-AFTRA has 25 locals to cover some of the most heavily filmed areas, including (but not limited to) LA, NYC, Atlanta, Nashville, New Mexico, and New Orleans.
Stage Directors and Choreographers Society is an AFL-CIO affiliate that supports stage directors and choreographers.
“The mission of the [Stage Managers’ Association] is to gather, recognize, educate and advocate for all in the stage management profession.” (https://www.stagemanagers.org/sma_history/, 2019 March 25)
United Scenic Artists 829 is an nation-wide union local that supports designers, artists, and department coordinators in the entertainment industry. It is an AFL-CIO affiliate under IATSE. Admittance to USA 829, besides initiation fees and IATSE dues, is through a rigorous portfolio review or exam. It is highly recommended that recent graduates do more work in the field before applying.