PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A new self-recording studio that will allow Philadelphia actors to audition for work out-of-town launches next week. It's named in memory of a local character actress.

It's called the Sylvia Kauders' studio.  It has a camera, performer lights, boom mic and computer, and a manual guides you on how to self-record and submit your casting audition. It's located at the SAG/AFTRA office in Center City.  It's free to members.

"It gives our members a chance to compete for jobs and not have to maybe fly to LA or fly to Chicago for an audition, and all that money out of your pocket," said Stephen Leshinski, the Philadelphia Local's Executive Director. "And also there are studios locally, but they charge and it adds up."

A couple of years ago, Kauders, who acted in many roles on stage film and television, expressed to the union the need for a way to audition for jobs nationally without the expense. Kauders died last May at the age of 94. Her family and friends raised the money needed to buy the equipment for the audition studio. A portrait of the late actress hangs on the studio wall.

"She wanted to do something for the union and it was actually when her birthday was coming up about a year and a half ago," Leshinski said. "And her friends got together and basically just chipped in to start a fund to pay for the equipment here, the lights the boom mic, the camera, the computer."

The studio opens on Wednesday, November 18.