What are the legal requirements for using a stage name in theatre?

Question

My last name is complicated. People can never pronounce it or spell it, and my mom didn't even bother changing her last name when she got married because of this. I also have a pseudonym that about half the people I know call me by. When I continue acting, I intend to use said pseudonym (because I'm so used to it), as well as my mother's last name.

Do I have to change my legal name to do this? How would I go about using this name? Would signing with it be considered fraud? Are there any other requirements for doing this?

Thanks.

-Tamora

Answer 1

I am not familiar with theatre, but you can do business under a certain name or have another name that you use.  There is a paper that you complete and file with the courts as to a factitious name.  It has to not be for the purpose of defrauding.  it is fairly simple.  You can change your name fairly easily, too, with the courts.  I am not sure  you actually have to file anything so long as intent is not to defraud, but it can also lock in the name for yourself if it is something quite different.  It is a long time since I read about this in a legal case.  But in most states  you can take whatever name you want.  For me I still use my  married name from first marriage as I had that over 30 years when I remarried.  I use maiden name as middle name. So my husband and I don't have the same last name. It is confusing to people sometimes, but more and more people are having different names now.  

You might be able to go on internet and check out forms with the state (might be through Secretary of State) for filing for a fictitious name.  I used to know what it was called.