RE The Equity problem
A. The Equity 99 seat Waiver program is clearly restricted LA County.
B. The Chance theatre is in Orange County.
I suspect the EQUITY would be very loathe to allow an exception to a long standing, clearly defined rule (unless you can uncover some precedent setting exceptions for other theatres in OC (Like the Grove in Garden Grove). The argument probably goes like this: make an exception for Anaheim because it's close to LA. Then make an exception for Chino because it's close to Anaheim Hills; then, Riverside is close to that, and Barstow close to that and the next thing you know you have applications from Las Vegas. I believe the whole waiver concept was a sop to the Hollywood based Motion Picture/TV actors.
They do however break some of their primary rules. Our ICT in Long Beach had a 99 seat program waiver that allowed a 400 seat venue to be curtained off to 99, and then opened up in stages, over quite a few years, before going full Equity. I do know our waiver deal did require us to contract for a certain number of Equity members in each production.
der Brucer
And, yes, I agree the restriction is stupid, stupid, stupid!