MEAA Equity
Actors Equity is the home of Australia’s professional performers.
For over 75 years Equity has been protecting and improving performers’ working conditions, lobbying and campaigning to improve the industries in which they work, hosting industry events, awarding excellence, providing professional development and protecting job opportunities .
Jason Klarwein is the President of Equity. Jason is an actor, director and producer who has worked nationally and internationally with Australia’s leading theatre companies and has been the artistic director of Grin and Tonic since 2011. The Queensland-based theatre company delivers critically-acclaimed mainstage productions, as well as workshops to over 60,000 school students per year. Jason has been a member of MEAA for nearly 20 years serving on the Queensland Branch, National Performers Committee and the MEAA Board. He was appointed Federal President in October 2020 to replace a vacancy created by the resignation of Chloe Dallimore, and has subsequently been re-elected in 2022 and 2024.
Michelle Rae commenced as Director of MEAA Equity in January 2021. Michelle has been MEAA’s Queensland director for 13 years during which time she has been intimately involved in MEAA’s key campaigns and negotiations across the Equity, Crew and Media sections of our union. Before joining MEAA, Michelle was an organiser and campaigner at the Australian Council of Trade Unions. When she joined MEAA she had found her home. Michelle is passionate about the Australian arts industry and has worked closely with Queensland performers and creatives throughout her time at MEAA.
The work of the Equity Director, Equity staff all Equity sub-committees is driven by the National Performers Committee (NPC). The current committee can be found here.
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Why I’m a member…
“Having joined Equity the moment I graduated, I have enjoyed a decade of secure wages and work conditions for my acting work in ALL mediums. They have even gone into legal battle for me twice and won!” Amanda Bishop is an actress, singer, comedian and proud member of the Equity National Performers’ Committee.
“As a proud member since 2001 I am so grateful for the support MEAA has shown me. The benefits have ranged from cheap movie tickets to having free legal advice! It’s wonderful to feel a part of the greater performing arts community through this very cohesive alliance.” Amber Scott is a principal dancer with The Australian Ballet.
“In a notoriously insecure profession, Equity empowers us to negotiate for fairer terms and protect our existing conditions. Membership is an investment in our collective future and is a great safeguard and resource for any member.” Kat Stewart is an actor and producer.
“Equity exists to preserve and fight for our rights in what is a very unique and constantly changing industry. For that alone, it is worth being a member. For me, Actor’s Equity is about belonging to an organisation which takes an active interest in the direction of the arts in this country.” Eddie Perfect is a comedian, satirist, composer and actor.
“I’m an Equity member is because I believe in upholding and maintaining the conditions put in place by the members before me, as well as bettering the conditions for the future of the industry.” Darko Tuskan is a stunt co-ordinator, safety supervisor, stunt actor and the chair of Equity’s National Stunt Committee.
“Equity is an open door into the industry. They take our immediate needs and concerns and action them on our behalf, in a way we could never achieve as individuals.” Pearl Tan is the founder of Pearly Productions, an actor and co-chair of the Equity Diversity Committee.
