How Can You Help Your Child Become an Actor?

How can you help your child become an actor?

If you’ve made the decision that you want to help your child become an actor or model, you are probably wondering what to do next.

I remember I first started thinking about getting my child into acting and modeling before she could even walk because she was such a ham. But I had no idea where to start.

We lived in a small town in South Carolina, where there were not many opportunities to perform. She was too young for choir or dance class or local theatre, so I asked everyone I knew about how to start an acting  or modeling career, but no one seemed to have any information on the topic.

The mother of my daughter’s best friend at daycare suggested I put my daughter into pageants.   She even loaned me her daughter’s pageant dress! So, I put my daughter in the fancy dress and stuck a bow in her hair.

When it was her turn, she pranced out on stage, waving and smiling and clearly having a blast.  She loved it so much that she did not want to leave the stage, and I finally had to carry her off.

So, am I advocating signing your child up for pageants?  Absolutely not!  I know quite well how most people view pageant kids and moms. Pageants can also be expensive and they are not viewed favorably by the acting community.

However, observing your child in an activity such as a pageant or a church program may give you a glimpse of how your child might act at auditions or jobs. And it may help your child become more poised and confident and more comfortable performing in front of others.  These skills are useful when trying to get representation and auditioning for jobs.

With all the information on the internet today, it is so much easier to find out how to get your child into acting than it was eleven years ago.  You can research online, buy books and DVDs online, and even submit your child for acting  auditions online without even first getting an agent or manager.

So what do you really need to do to help your child become an actor?  I advise you to start with the following:

• Put together a list of reputable talent agencies with addresses
• Write a cover letter to send to the agencies
• Pick out two or three good color photos of your child and get copies made for each agency
• Send out the letters and photos to the agencies
• Read books, view DVDs, and read online to learn as much as you can about getting started in acting
• If your child is old enough to read, look for a good children’s acting class or coach
• Watch for opportunities in your community for your child to perform (e.g., community theatre, church programs, and student films)
• Register your child on reputable casting sites and submit for roles that are right for your child.

If you haven’t yet decided if your child is right for showbiz or whether you want to become a showbiz parent, please take some time to read my posts on those topics to help you make up your mind.

Please come back often to read more information on this and other topics related to kids in showbiz.  I also encourage you to post any comments, questions, or suggestions you may have.

Also, don’t forget to subscribe to my Acting Newsletter for more tips to help your young actor succeed in showbiz.