IN the 1950 movie musical “Summer Stock” Judy Garland plays a farm owner who lets a young acting company rehearse in her barn in exchange for doing chores. As enthusiastic as the troupe might have been to sleep country style, these days the farm might be in hot water with Actors’ Equity Association. The union has negotiated rules about what accommodations its members are entitled to when they work out of town.

“The Actor,” reads one type of contract, “is entitled to a private room” that he or she “shall not be required to share.” A room is defined as “a permanent enclosure and not a division of space by curtaining or other temporary devices.”

Among the amenities required are “bedding, bed linens and at least two towels (all of which shall be laundered weekly).”

Things can be quite different for non-Equity actors. And celebrities are another matter entirely, as they negotiate their living arrangements through their agents.