Non-Equity Glossary
Just moved to NYC? Welcome! You're gonna do great!...well, let's just say it's gonna be a time. The New York Theatre Scene can be very confusing! Luckily Hackstage is here to help. Check out our handy glossary of terms to know the buzzwords in that non-equity holding room. Break a leg!
Tour--(Pronounced “tew-er”) An experience from your past that you should bring up in every conversation. To be spoken about positively, even if it was your greatest trial.
“When I was on Tour, I had better coffee than this”
Contract--What you call your show so that people know it’s not community theater
“I can’t come to your dumb party, Greg, I’m on a contract”
Off-broadway--Any show you’re doing in New York. End of story.
“Do you want to come to my Off-Broadway show? It’s in Queens”
Booked and blessed--A euphoric state of being, usually acknowledged to last from the day you get the offer to closing night.
“I’m sorry your cat died, but I’m booked and blessed right now so I can’t really relate”
Dance call--Hell on Earth. Last place you want to end up. Remember how you felt at the beginning of middle school? Yeah, that.
“I peed myself at the dance call.”
Mover Call--Don’t be fooled. They want a clean double.
“They said it was a mover call, but I still peed myself”
La Dukes--The only acceptable footwear at a dance call. Status symbol, fashion statement, tax write-off.
“That bitch stole my LaDukes. She’s gonna die.”
Schmackery’s--Best place to get a sadness cookie after you blow that mover call.
“I’ve been to Schmackery’s four times this week and I’m about to go a fifth”
Agent--Remember your crush from middle school who never knew your name, but was always nice to you? That. (synonym: Manager. Wait. Is it the same? Not sure, please advise)
“My mom keeps asking me if I have an agent yet.”
Classically Trained--Could mean literally anything. Put it on your resume. No one can say you’re not.
“I did a musical version of Love’s Labors Lost once, so I’m classically trained”
Showmance--The most important part of your time at summer stock. The only thing that matters.
“They’re trying to hide it, but we all know Shrek and Lord Faarquad are having a showmance”
Stipend--An indeterminate amount of money, paid in exchange for acting work. It is definitely less than $50.
“Yeah, Mom, it’s paid! I’m getting a stipend.”
Jazz Pants--(archaic) stretchy, black, flared pants used for middle school dance concerts, often in conjunction with spangly tops. Today replaced by leggings.
“MOM! Did you wash my jazz pants?”
Headshots--A picture of you at your best. Also at your poorest.
“Your headshot looks amazing, I didn’t even recognize you!”
Non-Equity--A person who is not yet equity. Hang in there, tiger!
"I would kill my own boyfriend for one EMC point"
Have any terms to add? Tweet @hackstage101 to let us know!
