Three-time Tony winner and Broadway star Patti LuPone announced her departure from the Actors’ Equity Association (AEA) on October 17. The seasoned actress made the following statement regarding her departure from AEA:
“It’s been a busy week on Broadway to see my name being called. I gave my Equity card and left the circus. “Solve it.”
According to LuPone, the AEA accepted her resignation and informed her that if she ever wanted to return, she would be allowed to. she went on,
“And that’s exactly why I left Equity.” This year marks 50 years since… I’ve been a member of Equity for a long time and they have no idea who I am. They just said, ‘Fine, but if you want to participate again, we’ll have to authorize you.’”
Patti LuPone is said to have left the AEA after an argument broke out last week when Hadestown singer Lillias White yelled at a deaf audience member from the stage. White mistook the audience member for someone filming the program. The lady did indicate that she used a subtitling device. The Lillias White scandal reminded LuPone when she reprimanded a theatergoer for using flash photography during a gypsy performance in 2009.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZSZplRvA2c
After the Hadestown incident, LuPone reprimanded theatergoers for ignoring the regulations. Patti LuPone went on to say that the AEA had never supported an actor and that it would no longer pay them any money. She also hinted that she will not be allowed to return to the stage again. Meanwhile, the veteran actor will not be able to play in non-Equity regional and touring shows, as well as concert performances and cabarets.
More information about the Stock Card
The Equity card verifies a person’s membership in the Actors’ Equity Association in the United States or Equity in the United Kingdom. Since the actor has a stock contract, he has the right to join the union. If an actor is a member of one of its sister organizations in the performing arts, such as the American Guild of Musical Artists, the American Guild of Variety Artists, or the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, they can apply for membership.
The Equity Card is also available through the Equity Membership Candidate Program (EMC). The program allows performers to participate in Equity shows and become eligible for membership after working in theaters for 50 weeks. An actor must pay $118 in annual dues and employment fees after joining. Membership benefits include minimum wage, health insurance, pension, and work accident insurance. Members may not participate in a non-Equity show unless authorized by Equity.
Patti LuPone’s Future Projects
Patti LuPone is currently working on film and television projects and she has said she will “never do eight gigs a week again” because it’s hard for her right now.
The actress last performed on Broadway in Company last season, for which she received her third Tony Award (she previously won for Gypsy and 1980’s Evita). The 73-year-old actor will next appear in Netflix’s fantasy film The School for Good and Evil, which will air on October 19. This will be followed by the premiere of FX’s upcoming series American Horror Story: NYC on the same day.
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