Recently, the producers in the company turned their attention to securing Equity actors for some of their productions.

His idea was to have Equity actors interact with young amateurs - say, 100 children from a community.

But every night in small theaters across the five boroughs there are Equity actors "putting on a play."

Depending upon the casting director, and the amount of Equity actors that attend the call, the future member may or may not be seen.

"It's like a training ground for future Equity actors," he said.

Therefore, Equity actors had reason and justification for breaking the contract by striking.

Since 1969, two plays a year, with Equity actors, have been seen at the troupe's home theater at top ticket price of $20.

The company of eight Equity actors held a rehearsal instead.

We are a training company and have no need for Equity actors.

If the musical does tour without Equity actors, it could face pickets with handbills in front of theaters.