What's the difference between Associate and Member levels?

What's the difference between Associate and Member levels?

In 2010, the Guild’s Council voted to revise the categories of membership to more accurately reflect the landscape of American theatre today. There are now two levels of membership, Member, and Associate.

To qualify for the new Member level, a writer needs to either have their work professionally produced or published by an established publisher. Professional production is no longer defined by the size of the theatre, but simply by whether tickets were sold to the public.

All playwrights, composers, lyricists, and librettists interested in Guild membership, but who do not meet one of the above criteria, may join at the Associate level.

There is no longer a Student level of membership. However, students enrolled in any program that results in a certificate or degree are eligible for a 50% discount on either the Associate or the Member level memberships, depending on their experience.
Most of the benefits of Guild membership are enjoyed by all members regardless of membership level, save for a select few which are reserved exclusively for those at the Member level. They are:

1. The right to vote for and run to serve on the Guild’s governing Council. Elections are held each January. For more information on Council elections, please contact Amy VonMacek, Executive Assistant to Business Affairs.

2. A fully-editable online Dramatists Guild Profile on the Guild’s website where one can post a bio, picture, and a list of works including synopses.

3. Discounted membership to NPX.

4. Discounted add rates.
    • Related Articles

    • What are my obligations as a Dramatists Guild member?

      When you join the Dramatists Guild of America, you are joining a voluntary membership association, not a labor union. As such, no one is required to join the Guild in order to have a work produced, and no one is entitled to be a Guild member, ...
    • What is the difference between "business advice" and "legal advice"?

      The Guild is able to offer business advice to its members, but not legal advice.  Business advice includes, but is not limited to: reviewing members’ unsigned contracts, advising them on relevant industry standards, explaining the inner workings of ...
    • What is the fee for a Replacement Member Card?

      The fee for a replacement Member Card is $4.00. To order a replacement Member Card, please login to your Dramatists Guild member account. Go to the Member Dashboard, click on the My Member tab, and locate the 'Member Card' button. There, you can ...
    • How do I access the full list of Member benefits?

      For a full list of member benefits, please visit our Career Services and Member Benefits page or use the "My Benefits" option in the Member Dashboard.
    • I lost my Member Card. How can I replace it?

      To obtain a replacement Member Card, please login to your Dramatists Guild member account. Go to the Member Dashboard, click on the My Member tab, and locate the 'Member Card' button. There, you can request a new Member Card. Please note that all ...