By Blake Hammond

"I grew up in a small town in Texas, of about 1800 people, so when I came to NYC after college, I'll admit I knew very little about the Actors' Equity Association. All I knew was that I wanted to be on stage! I soon booked my first summer stock at Candlewood Playhouse. I began working with the wonderful Equity Guest Artists (including our President Mark S. Zimmerman) that were playing all the leads that season. Of course, I was hooked on their talent and knew I had to be a member of that club. Someone suggested that I audition for Theatreworks USA, a company that produces new and interesting Theatre for Young Audiences. If I was chosen for one of their shows, I would be offered my Equity card for the production. I stood in line, sang my song, did my monologue and was cast in production of "The Emperor's New Clothes" with music and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and Steve Flaherty. WOW!!! I was so excited to call my family and friends and scream "I got the show, I got my Equity Card!!!" I was so proud to be a member of that club, to be a member of Actors' Equity. I'm still proud."