Let’s start with the hate. Actually, let me explain what an EPA is for those of you that don’t know.

EPA stands for Equity Principal Audition. There are two types of auditions that productions hold; Principal and Chorus (ECC; Equity Chorus Call). Principals are for specific lead roles and chorus is for the ensemble. Simple enough.

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For some reason the two different types of auditions are run differently from each other. When you’re going to an ECC, you are actually able to sign up on a list starting one week before the audition. You have to go to the Equity (Union) office and there will be a list. The wonderful thing about these calls are that you don’t have to haul your butt to the audition at the crack of dawn to guarantee you’ll be seen. If an audition starts at 10am, you simply have to show up at 9:30. They’ll start going through the list and assign you a number based on your spot on the sign up list. It doesn’t matter if you get there at 5am, if you’re number 50 on the list and I’m 49, I can walk through the door at 9:25 and still get to audition before you. That’s something I LOVE about ECCs. You then just sit until it’s your turn and do your audition. In conclusion: No need to get there early in the morning as long as you sign up ahead of time, you have to sit around waiting for your turn.

EPAs, however, are a different deal. I don’t know why they’re run differently, but they just are. For an EPA, the time you get there in the morning matters very much. EPAs don’t allow you to sign up in advance. Therefore, to make sure you get a good audition slot, you must arrive really early and stand in line. One of the main benefits I find from joining Equity is the end of spending 6+ hours (it’s happened) at open cattle calls for non-union shows. Going to an EPA can feel like those olden days when it’s 7am and you’re already #200 in line. There’s the hate. Now onto the love.

While the wait can suck, the magic is just around the corner. After what seems like forever, the audition monitor will finally show up and start signing up everyone in the line for their appointment slot. You heard me right, APPOINTMENT SLOT. Gone are the days of sitting in a holding room with 100 other people, not knowing when you’ll be seen. (Will it be ten minutes or two hours?) The line moves quickly as you show the monitor your union card. You then get to request an audition time. That’s the coolest part. Since everyone has the whole day to choose from and everyone’s preference is different, you can usually get your desired spot within a half hour or so even if you’re #200 in line. Many people want to come in late in the day after they’re day job is over. Others don’t want to sing until the afternoon. If you’ve got a busy day, chances can be good that you’re the first person in the room for the day if you really want to be.

Personally, I have something in the early afternoon, but didn’t want to sing right away. I also need to learn the music for my audition, because it’s not a song I normally sing. I got to pick a time shortly after noon. That means I don’t have to sit around the studio waiting to be called, I just show up 15 minutes prior to my slot and I’m good to go. Now I get to de-stress at Starbucks and blog for you lovely folks while I slack on learning my music.

This industry in general and the audition process in particular can be a very difficult thing for people. I can’t think of another industry where, even when you’re successful in your job, you can go on dozens of job interviews a month for the rest of your life. It’s nice to know the Union has some benefits and a major one is taking a little of the stress out of finding work.

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