BWW SPECIAL FEATURE: How I Got My Equity Card - by Chita Rivera

BroadwayWorld.com is proud to present its newest weekly feature, presented in association with and to celebrate the importance of the Actors' Equity Association. "AEA" or "Equity", founded in 1913, is the labor union that represents more than 48,000 Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. Equity seeks to advance, promote and foster the art of live theatre as an essential component of our society. Equity negotiates wages and working conditions and provides a wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans, for its members.

Check back weekly for new entries from stars of stage and screen on how they got their Equity cards!

"I was studying ballet in Washington, DC, and along with another student, was chosen to audition for a scholarship at the School of American Ballet in New York City. We both auditioned and both got a scholarship! Later in New York, I auditioned for Jerome Robbins, who was sending out the National Tour of CALL ME MADAM. A friend asked me to come along, I did. I got the job, she didn't.

It's amazing how well you can do when you don't need something - there's no fear involved. You can say your name. You can sing on key. I just danced my heart out, knowing that I was already on that scholarship. When Robbins offered me the role, I immediately called my mother to ask if I could do it - 'I can earn money' I said.

And so, I joined Equity in 1952 and felt really proud - now I was going to get paid to do what I love to do. The star of that CALL ME MADAM tour, Elaine Stritch, was amazing. My eyes were always glued to that stage. I learned so much, as I still do, from watching my fellow actors. And fifty years later, I'm still proud of that Equity card."

Click Here for More Entries in BroadwayWorld.com's New Series "How I Got My Equity Card"