Join us in the Equity Green Room
Listen to the latest episode of our podcast for candid conversations about the big issues facing performers and creative workers right now. Host Jackie Clune talks to fellow Equity members about their experiences and how, together as a union, we're fighting to make positive change in the industry. Join us for personal stories, lively chat and a little laughter in the virtual green room.
Latest episode: You’re Still in the Mix - The Casting Episode
“We prepare, we research we smash it and then silence, nothing.” In the latest episode of the Equity Green Room, host Jackie Clune investigates ways in which the casting process can damage performers’ self-esteem and what Equity are doing to make the process fairer.
Jackie is joined by the National Theatre’s Head of Casting Alastair Coomer and Equity member and actor Abiola Ogunbiyi for a lively chat on the importance of giving and receiving a yes/no after an audition. Tigger Blaize, Vice-Chair of Equity’s LGBTQ+ Committee, also joins Jackie to explore the issue of authentic casting and who should get to play which role.
Resources
Safe Spaces
Too often, creative workers — especially women — experience harassment at work or on their commutes. What do recent moves to safeguard workers in the night time economy do to help protect Equity members from harassment? Is the problem actually more pressing in the workplace? Jackie Clune talks to Equity members and staff about their experiences of the issues — and what can be done to make the industry safer. We also hear about Equity's current campaigns including the Safe Spaces campaign amidst recent calls to make work safer — for everyone.
With guests:
- Charlotte Bence, Equity's Industrial Official - Theatre
- Maureen Beattie, Equity President
- Elaine Stirrat, actor, co-founder of Persistent and Nasty and Equity Glasgow General Branch Chair
- Zainab Hasan, actor and activist
- Dame Harriet Walter, actor
- Hywel Morgan, actor and activist
Contains strong language.
Download a full PDF transcript of the podcast.
Getting help
Rape Crisis provides a support service for women who have experienced sexual violence. Survivors UK supports men who have experienced rape and sexual abuse.
If anything at all makes you feel uneasy at work, talk to a specialist member of staff at Equity on 020 7379 6000. We're here to help. If you, or someone else, are in immediate danger call 999.
Further useful links
- Find out more about Equity's Safe Spaces campaign and what to do if you are being bullied or harassed at work on our Creating safe spaces page
- Find out about Equity's Brexit work
Are the creative industries the preserve of the posh white man?
It's often said that to get anywhere in acting, you need to come from the right school, have money behind you, and speak with the right accent. In the second episode of our podcast, host Jackie Clune talks to guests about the issues surrounding class in the performing and creative industries. What challenges do working class performers and artists face building - and sustaining - a career?
With guests:
- Louise McMullan, Equity's Deputy for the General Secretary
- Stephanie Greer, founder of Equity's Class Network
- Valerie Edmond, actor and activist
Part 2 of our episode asking whether the creative industries are still the preserve of the posh white man?
Host Jackie Clune talks to audio councillor David John and green activist Paul Valentine about the issues surrounding class in the creative industries, from education to funding to juggling jobs. We hear how Equity's class network is working to improve opportunities for all.
If you're interested in joining the Equity class network contact Lottie Stables on lstables@equity.org.uk
Download a full transcript of the episode
