Equity, the performing arts union based in London, has revealed its plans to revamp its student membership scheme, which will introduce a graduate membership bracket and a student deputies committee for the first time in its existence. Currently an Equity student membership costs £18.25 per year, with the price of full membership starting at £125. The new graduate band will cost half the price of full membership, in an attempt to bridge the gap between the two.
Moreover, the new graduate membership band will be created in order to attempt to convert more student memberships to full memberships, and retain those individuals who drop off in between. The union has about 5,200 student members, and as a result the new proposal could aid the transition to full membership for those who have recently left education and started work, and the new membership band could aid this even further.
As part of the full membership, members are entitled to advise on contracts, amongst other benefits, and the two-year graduate membership period would see individuals entitled to the same. They would also be able to vote in union elections and to stand for election to committees – none of which are available to student members. In relation to this, Equity also aims to introduce a student deputies network for a trial period, to meet the requirements of those within that bracket. The union has deputies networks for areas such as the West End and opera, however it will be the first time a specific network for students has been formed.
This particular network would hope to engage student members with the union at an earlier stage, and connect students from different drama schools and colleges. Equity will then be privy to the issues arising in drama schools, which they can then address. The recent closure of Drama UK has prompted Equity to review the courses whose graduates qualify for full Equity membership; many training institutions gradually left Drama UK for other awarding bodies. Equity will now work with the wider industry to create a relevant and up to date list of courses that are recognised for membership.