Pro's and cons of equity ? how someone gets a late start in acting?

Question:i'm majoring in theatre and i want to get into it full time i don't have alot of things for my resume and i really would like to get more experience but because i'm in college i can't really audition for anything? what can i do to further my career and how can i boost my resume??? also how can i join equity and what are the pro's and cons of doing so should i wait untill i'm out of college?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: i'm majoring in theatre and i want to get into it full time i don't have alot of things for my resume and i really would like to get more experience but because i'm in college i can't really audition for anything? what can i do to further my career and how can i boost my resume??? also how can i join equity and what are the pro's and cons of doing so should i wait untill i'm out of college?

Don't join equity until you absolutely have to. Especially now. You are nowhere near ready to even consider joining, besides the fact that it's actually not that easy (i.e., you don't just decide and pay the dues, you have to works jobs in equity theatres, under equity contracts or be part of the EMC program)
As far as furthering your career, I would think as a theatre major, that should be taking up quite a bit of your time. Aren't you doing shows at school? Keep that up and in the summer do summer stock,shakespeare festivals or look at short study programs.

Once in equity you can't work non-union small theater jobs unless they register for a wavier with equity

That means no small theater unless they have a 99 seat status with Equity.

Also cost. Equity is $2,000 to join, but you have to work on an equity stage for a week or so to be elibable and there there are quarterly dues.

Best not to join until you get a civic center play position.