By Thom Christopher

"It was late spring and I was close to completing my first as an acting student at New York’s Neighborhood Playhouse. Reading in “show Business” about auditions for a new Equity Summer Theatre in Poultney, Vermont, I skipped class and ventured forth to audition at West 85th Street and Columbus Avenue.

It was to be a season of eight shows and I got the lead in three of them. The producer arranged for my Equity membership, and as I walked into the Equity offices, which were then on 47th Street, my ego and mind were in concert with the constant thought: “You’re going to be the only second year student at The Neighborhood Playhouse with an Equity Card.” Little did I know what awaited me as an actor in the protection, the responsibility, the honor of that summer’s Equity Card."