Should Your Child Do Musical Theatre or Any Theatre?

It has been a crazy week for us. My daughter just finished a musical theatre production. She played the lead role of ‘Inga’ in a family-friendly spoof of the movie Young Frankenstein with music from the Broadway show by the same name.

This was a local musical theatre production, but in productions in the LA area many of the kids and adults in the shows, as well as directors and choreographers are in showbiz. The result is typically a high-quality production.

We are both sad and relieved that the play has come to an end.

My daughter had a blast, as always, but it was tiring for her to go to all the rehearsals and shows and then go to school and get her homework done each day.  As a sixth grader in public school, she often has two to three hours of homework each night.

My daughter had rehearsals for four to five hours nearly every day for the last week before the show and then six performances. I was involved, as were other parents, helping with costuming, lighting, stage crew, and other production activities. So it was a busy time for both of us.

Why do we do theatre? We do it because my daughter loves it, and it makes her happy. She loves performing in front of an audience and she loves singing.

We did not do any theatre for some time because her acting teacher and manager did not want her to. We are no longer with that manager or with that acting teacher, and so now my daughter is enjoying doing shows several times a year.

Why do some talent managers, talent agents, and acting teachers not want their talent to do theatre?

Some talent managers and talent agents don’t want their talent to do theatre because it interferes with availability for auditions and jobs. Some acting teachers don’t want them to do it because it might conflict with their subtler acting style for tv and film.

On the positive side, many casting directors and other agents, managers, and teachers do like for actors to do theatre. They think it is good practice and keeps actors active when tv and film opportunities are few.

It can definitely enhance improv skills. It helps actors be spontaneous and learn to really play off other actors. They have to be able to improvise and be creative when lines are forgotten or when things don’t go as planned in live performances.

Also, if your child is possibly interested in a career on Broadway, doing theatre is great experience.

If you are in the LA area, and theatre is something your child likes to do, you’ll have to weigh the pros and cons to make a decision about it. You also should consider this when finding representation and teachers for your young actor to prevent disappointment for your child and conflict with managers and teachers.