If you’ve ever opened a casting notice and thought,“Cool cool cool… what does any of this mean?”—you’re not alone.

AEA, LORT, SPT, EPA, ECC, CAT, COST… the theatre industry LOVES an acronym. And while these terms are second nature to casting offices, they can feel overwhelming (and gatekeep-y) for actors, especially early in their careers.

So we’re breaking it all down.

Below is a plain-English guide to common theatre industry terms and Equity pay rates as of 2026, created to help you walk into auditions informed, confident, and empowered.

First Things First: What Is AEA?

AEA (Actors' Equity Association) is the labor union that represents actors and stage managers working in live theatrical performance.

If a contract is “Equity,” it means:

• There are minimum pay rates

• There are work rules and protections

• There are standards for rehearsal hours, housing, travel, and safety

  
  

Not all theatre is Equity—but understanding Equity contracts helps you understand the landscape.

Common Audition Terms You’ll See

EPA vs ECC

• EPA (Equity Principal Audition) = Auditions for leading and featured roles.

• ECC (Equity Chorus Call) = Auditions for ensemble and chorus roles.

  
  

If you see one of these listed, it tells you who the audition is primarily for and what roles are being cast.

Theatre Agreements & What They Mean

Regional & Stock Theatre Agreements

• LORT (League of Regional Theatres)

  • Used by large, nonprofit regional theatres across the U.S.Levels:

  • A+, A, B+, B, C, D (based on budget and size)

• COST (Council of Stock Theatres)

  • Covers non-resident stock theatres (often summer stock).

  • Levels 1–5 with increasing pay minimums.

• SPT (Small Professional Theatre)

  • For professional theatres with fewer than 350 seats (outside NYC & Chicago).

  • Levels SPT 1–9.

• NEAT (New England Area Theatres Agreement)

  • Used by theatres in the Boston area under 400 seats.

    
    

City-Specific Agreements

• CAT (Chicago Area Theatre)

  • Used within 35 miles of Chicago; applies to both commercial and nonprofit theatres.

• LA-99 (Los Angeles 99-Seat Theatre)

  • For theatres with 99 seats or fewer in LA County.

• HAT (Hollywood Area Theatre)

  • For LA theatres with up to 599 seats.

• NOLA (New Orleans Theatre Agreement)

  • Modified agreement specific to the New Orleans area.

• OAT (Orlando Area Theatre)

  • Modified Special Appearance agreement for the Orlando area.

    
    

Special & Touring Agreements

• LOA (Letter of Agreement)

  • A contract negotiated with a single independent theatre.

• SA (Special Agreement)

  • Individually negotiated contracts under specific circumstances.

• SETA (Short Engagement Touring Agreement)

  • Used for touring productions with guarantees below a certain threshold.

• MSUA (Musical Stock and Unit Attractions)

  • Designed for very large outdoor amphitheaters.

    
    

Education & Youth Theatre

• URTA (University / Resident Theatre Association)

  • Used by colleges and universities employing professional actors alongside students.

• TYA (Theatre for Young Audiences)

  • For productions written specifically for children.

• GA (Guest Artist)

  • Used by educational or community theatres that occasionally employ professionals.

    
    

Equity Pay Rates (2026)

(Weekly minimums — ranges depend on tier, budget, and contract specifics)

Broadway

• Broadway: $2,717/week

LORT (Regional Theatre)

• LORT D: $831–$937

• LORT C: $1,041–$1,194

• LORT B: $1,133–$1,178

• LORT B+: $1,234–$1,282

• LORT A: $1,357–$1,446

• LORT A+: $2,079

Off-Broadway

• OFF 1–2: ~$781–$788

• OFF 3: $921

• OFF 4: $1,285

• OFF A–E: ~$785–$1,503 (depending on tier)

Chicago Area Theatre (CAT)

• CAT 1: $321

• CAT 2: $413–$578

• CAT 3: $460

• CAT 4: $746

• CAT 5: $926

Council of Stock Theatres (COST)

• COST 1: $933

• COST 2: $1020

• COST 3: $1,121

• COST 4: $1,179

• COST 5: $1,253–$1,134

Small Professional Theatre (SPT)

• SPT 1: $330–$377

• SPT 2: $387

• SPT 3: $443

• SPT 4: $468-562

• SPT 5: $548-629

• SPT 6: $608–$648

• SPT 7: $676-683

• SPT 8: $750-817

• SPT 9: $876

Other Agreements

• NEAT: $589–$798

• TYA: $659–$688

• URTA: $758–$1,145

  
  

Why This Matters for Actors

Knowing these terms helps you:

• Understand what kind of theatre you’re auditioning for

• Evaluate pay vs cost of living

• Ask smarter questions

• Advocate for yourself professionally

  
  

You don’t need to memorize everything—but you do deserve transparency.

And that’s what we’re here for. 💛