About

Hi and Welcome to YourYoungActor.com!

I am Debbie, and I am the mother of two children, one of whom is a young actor in the Los Angeles area. We lived in the Southeast until my daughter was almost 7.

She had an obvious love for the stage starting at age one, and from then on I began looking for opportunities for her to perform. This turned out to be much more difficult than expected.  I did not know anyone who could help me with this.

She got an agent in Charleston, SC when she was five years old. She also got an agent in Atlanta, which was a very long drive from Charleston.

We later visited New York and Los Angeles to talk with talent agents, managers, and casting directors. Though we also really wanted to work with talent manager Shirley Grant in New York, at the coaxing of Craig Wargo, with Talent Management Associates, we decided to come to Los Angeles to launch Brooke’s show business career.

My daughter and I first moved to Los Angeles alone. We drove all the way from South Carolina to Los Angeles with some friends, enjoying the sights along the way. We stopped to see the Grand Canyon and visited Las Vegas.  Her father and brother joined us here 17 months later where we’ve all been living ever since.

We’ve learned so much during this journey into acting, and there are so many things I wish I’d known sooner.  We had to try to figure out most things on our own as we encountered them. We did not know where to go to get assistance, and we did not always make the best decisions. I want to share our experiences with others so that they can learn from our mistakes and our successes.

Sincerely,

Debbie Sikkema

P.S. The picture in the header on this site is a picture of my daughter ( 8 years old ) on the set of Beautiful Dreamer, a beautiful WWII film.  It was taken at Whiteman Airport in Pacoima, CA.

While working with Brooke Langton and Colin Egglesfield and with Lauren Woodland as her mother in Beautiful Dreamer, Brooke discovered how very much she loved acting.  It was a wonderful experience for her. When she was released from work on the first day of filming (due to the SAG requirements for minors) she said, “Mom, I want to stay and watch.” And she did until I finally dragged her away to go home over an hour later. She would have stayed until they finished filming for the day if I’d let her.

On IMDb <= Click Here

You can e-mail me: Debbie
@youryoungactor.com

DDMS Ventures, LLC, http://wwww.youryoungactor.com

 

 

84 comments

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  1. Rosemary Rhinehardt

    March 10, 2009 at 4:06 pm (UTC -8) Link to this comment

    Pretty cool “blog”. I barely know what that means. I hope this will be profitable for you!
    Love!

  2. Shaine

    June 11, 2009 at 9:38 am (UTC -8) Link to this comment

    Great blog Deb.

    Shaine

  3. Brandie

    August 20, 2009 at 1:41 pm (UTC -8) Link to this comment

    Could you share some info with regards to “pay to work” projects?

  4. deborah

    January 6, 2010 at 2:39 pm (UTC -8) Link to this comment

    Hi Deb, this is a great website but I’m on the other end of the young actors career. My daughter had an agent etc a few years back but didn’t get any work. She is now 15 and no longer interested in acting. I was wondering if you or someone else may know how to close a coogan account. We originally got the account at Downey savings like 4 years ago and my daughter has never got a paycheck for any of her work. Now US Bank owns the bank and has started charging a monthly fee. They said they need a ‘court order’ to close the account. It was no problem when there was no monthly fee, but now, with the fee, that account is actually in the red with neg balance. Any advise you could give me would be great… I can’t find the info on how to close one of these accounts anywhere. I wouldn’t even know how to get a ‘court order’ to close it.
    thanks so much in advance for any advice or help with this.
    ~Deborah

  5. Susanne@facts about ferrets

    January 13, 2010 at 12:35 pm (UTC -8) Link to this comment

    nice site! I used to be a young actor and my mother probably could have used a wonderful resource such as this

  6. Burton Haynes

    January 21, 2010 at 2:13 am (UTC -8) Link to this comment

    Great website! Love the content you have on here. Please keep up the good work and I will be sure to visit quite often. Thanks much!

  7. Download

    January 28, 2010 at 3:41 am (UTC -8) Link to this comment

    I like your post, the fact that your site is a little bit different makes it so interesting, I get fed up of seeing the same old boring recycled stuff all of the time.

  8. Richard@MonaVie Scam

    February 12, 2010 at 11:26 pm (UTC -8) Link to this comment

    I’ve noticed a lot of great information on this site. I know my life will love it as she was into acting as a child.

  9. Debbie Sikkema

    February 17, 2010 at 8:29 am (UTC -8) Link to this comment

    Hi Deborah,
    I am quite concerned about what you told me about your daughter’s Coogan account. As I understand it, no fees can be charged on a Coogan account. US Bank should not take fees out. If they don’t have Coogan accounts, they should have notified you as such rather than converting it. We had a similar problem when our daughter’s account was moved from Jackson Savings and Loan to Union Bank. I had to work closely with them on this problem to get it worked out. Was your daughter in SAG or AFTRA? I am assuming that she is no longer in a union. I am going to do a little investigation on this myself. That is just wrong in every way! How many dollars in fees have they taken? I will also reply to you by email. –Debbie
    Note : I spoke with a SAG representative several weeks ago and was told that it is legal for banks to charge fees (as just plain wrong as that seems to me), so it truly is up to you to monitor the account, and if fees are being charged, move the account to another bank. So for those looking for a bank, ask up front about any and all fees. Run the other way if there are a lot of fees, and if deposits have to be made every so often, make a small deposit to avoid any fees.

  10. Abie Jones

    February 17, 2010 at 12:17 pm (UTC -8) Link to this comment

    Hello. This is kind of an “unconventional” question , but have other visitors asked you how get the menu bar to look like you’ve got it? I also have a blog and am really looking to alter around the theme, however am scared to death to mess with it for fear of the search engines punishing me. I am very new to all of this …so i am just not positive exactly how to try to to it all yet. I’ll just keep working on it one day at a time Thanks for any help you can offer here

  11. priya@indian dancer

    February 22, 2010 at 8:25 am (UTC -8) Link to this comment

    great job Debbie and i think it may very good experience for both of you. and i wish for your bright career in this field of acting where people have to do lots of struggle. thanks for sharing keep it up

  12. Susan Hulme

    February 24, 2010 at 11:35 am (UTC -8) Link to this comment

    Very nice website.

  13. Sara

    March 8, 2010 at 8:38 am (UTC -8) Link to this comment

    Thought you might be interested in letting your child actors know about a new charity auction [edited out because misleading]

    http://www.charitybuzz.com/categories/1/catalog_items/201401

    Ever since the Spy Kids series of films started in 2001, millions of kids have been dreaming of action, adventure and espionage in hopes that their super spy powers will someday develop. A fourth film in the works is once again expected to capture youngsters’ active imaginations…. but for one family, the film will be much more than a trip to the movies. The Weinstein Company is auctioning off a walk-on role for one lucky kid in the upcoming feature Spy Kids 4 on Charitybuzz.com!

    The auction benefits the Center for the Advancement of Women, a nonprofit institution dedicated to research-based education and advocacy for women. The walk-on role is limited to kids 6 – 10 years old and will be filmed in July 2010. The winning bidder will also receive 4 VIP tickets to the film’s 2011 premiere.

    Spy Kids 4 is a joint venture between Walt Disney Pictures and The Weinstein Company. Featuring new kids and an exciting plot full of twists and turns, it’s one movie any child would be thrilled to be a part of.

  14. Easy Guitar Lessons For Beginners

    March 9, 2010 at 7:39 pm (UTC -8) Link to this comment

    Debbie,

    Your ezinearticles content at http://ezinearticles.com/?Beginner-Guitar-Chords—Play-Songs-With-Two-Or-Three-Simple-Chords&id=3814880

    is being plagiarized by: www(dot)goguitarnbits(dot)com/articles/?p=124.

    I’ve been trying to get this person to stop doing this, but to no avail. Join me in getting this to stop!

    Best,
    Charlemagne

  15. saffron

    March 13, 2010 at 6:01 am (UTC -8) Link to this comment

    Hello debbie,
    I would really want to become an actress its my dream ambition please can you help me by getting me into a show, Also i live in england anyway to help me get over to america?
    saffron

  16. Peter@Poker

    March 19, 2010 at 2:46 am (UTC -8) Link to this comment

    Very Nice Website! I just found it on Google! Thanks for Sharing!

  17. Mike

    March 20, 2010 at 5:26 am (UTC -8) Link to this comment

    I enjoyed reading this post about About | Your Young Actor. Really interesting. I will come back to visit this blog again.

  18. Debbie Sikkema

    March 30, 2010 at 6:48 am (UTC -8) Link to this comment

    Thanks for letting me know this. It is considered OK to post someone’s article provided you include the whole article as is and credit where it came from and who wrote it appropriately. I am not sure one of my links is still active, though. It is also in good form for the person to ask or let you know, but not everyone does. Thanks for telling me about it, though. –Debbie

  19. Poker

    April 19, 2010 at 4:48 am (UTC -8) Link to this comment

    My son is 5 and has made a few ads. He also wants to act !

  20. vangie

    April 29, 2010 at 10:29 am (UTC -8) Link to this comment

    What a great website! As a kids headshot photographer, I like to pass on information about the industry to my clients. This site is a very useful resource and I often post links to it. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and expertise!

  21. Ruth @ Hello Kitty Costume

    May 5, 2010 at 4:33 am (UTC -8) Link to this comment

    What a great idea Debbie. It can be so difficult for young actors to get on the circuit and you offering information on your experiences is fantastic. The Entertainment Work link is well worth reading. Thanks.

  22. Jake @ Mime Costume

    May 6, 2010 at 7:06 am (UTC -8) Link to this comment

    I have found that mime really helps kids with their acting skills. If they start early enough they really do develop quickly. Miming is such an expressive art that is goes hand in hand with acting.

  23. Elisabeth Abbott

    May 6, 2010 at 9:28 am (UTC -8) Link to this comment

    Hi Debbie (and readers):
    I am a therapist in Los Angeles who has a background as a SAG/AFTRA actress — I love working with kids, teens, and parents. If parents or young actors in the LA area need some extra support in what is a pretty tough (but amazing) business, please feel free to contact me.
    Thank you!

  24. Debbie Sikkema

    May 12, 2010 at 9:57 am (UTC -8) Link to this comment

    Hi Elisabeth,
    Thanks for reading and commenting. I’d like to look a little more into what you do so I’ll be checking out your site.
    –Debbie

  25. Kellye Nethercutt

    June 25, 2010 at 2:40 am (UTC -8) Link to this comment

    I have attempted to post a comment here but every time I submit the form refreshes the comment or gives an error. Can someone could possibly look into why there is a problem?

  26. Tennant

    July 10, 2010 at 11:18 pm (UTC -8) Link to this comment

    Congratulations, I think you have invested some time and nerves in it and thanks! even now I will return on this blog. 🙂
    I stick to see some movies now luck.

  27. Sam

    July 15, 2010 at 3:39 pm (UTC -8) Link to this comment

    hey! my mom and i are planning on moving out to LA and then if anything happens, the rest of my family would join us. We were wondering where a good place to start out would be. In other words, where exactly in LA did you move to when it was just you and your daughter? please e-mail me and let me know. thanks! ~Sam

  28. Debbie Sikkema

    July 17, 2010 at 7:48 am (UTC -8) Link to this comment

    Hi Sam,
    My daughter and I stayed in Burbank when it was just the 2 of us. The schools there are good, and there are some good places to live. There are some other options that are good depending on exactly what you are looking for, how long you plan to stay, etc. I am in South Carolina visiting family right now, but I’ll send you an email after I get home. When are you planning to go to LA and how old are you? Let me know… Debbie

  29. Dave@buy tent

    July 22, 2010 at 5:54 pm (UTC -8) Link to this comment

    Hi really enjoyed reading your article and was wondering As an actor for drama – What is the difference between showing an audience and beleving for yourself?

  30. Arthur Solomon

    August 3, 2010 at 3:13 pm (UTC -8) Link to this comment

    Debbie,
    My wife just got a call back from AMTC, we are excited and I am skeptical about it as a scam at the same time. I read your story which relieves my concern but I am trying to find out if you know how the convention was conducted for the adults when you attended with your daughter? Also, in case you were not present for the adult competition, do you know someone who attended, made it or not? I am trying to make a very informative decision to support this with my spouse or not?
    I will really appreciate your reply to my email address on any information, links, articles, contacts, etc, and advises that could help me to come to a decision on this. I love my spouse and support her but I need to be very sure of what I am doing since $$$$ is involved. I cannot afford a scam – you know how that is.
    Thanking you in advance for your reply.

  31. Rya@Mobilabonnement | Mobiltelefoni

    August 12, 2010 at 5:36 am (UTC -8) Link to this comment

    I wish you all the best of luck in your career. 🙂

  32. heather

    August 22, 2010 at 7:40 pm (UTC -8) Link to this comment

    Hi Deb,
    😎
    I came across your website and I wanted to touch base with you. I run a website called childreninfilm.com – it’s dedicated to the positive 😀 employment of child actors. We provide access to a lot of information, as you are doing, along with the social networking capability to allow parents to locate, research and actually contact agents, managers, etc. It sounds like you began your journey when it was quite complicated – mailing out headshots, traveling to new cities, etc., etc. I think your readers would love to know that there are now ways to make all this a whole lot easier, and it can start from their home town. Anyway, well done with your website here- I was hoping we could talk and maybe do some things together.

    To your success,
    Heather Broeker
    childreninfilm.com

  33. Harry@free wedding planner

    September 17, 2010 at 1:27 am (UTC -8) Link to this comment

    I was just browsing few blogs when I got to your unique website URL! and I definitely want my daughter to be an actress someday! well, nothing is impossible!

  34. Craig Allen LMFT

    September 21, 2010 at 4:59 am (UTC -8) Link to this comment

    Great Site. My grandson has been in over 15 plays. I will pas the info along.

    Christian Counseling, Marriage and Pre-marital Counseling in Minneapolis, MN
    In times of stress counseling can help. There is no shame in asking for help during hard times.
    We offer a free 30 minute initial consultation. We encourage you to contact us to learn more about our services. Please call us at 763-404-8600. We are located at 3025 Harbor Lane Suite 221, Plymouth, MN 55447.
    Craig Allen LMFT

  35. Bill Soule

    October 17, 2010 at 9:50 pm (UTC -8) Link to this comment

    Hi Deb,
    I am a social media consultant for the Edgemar Center for the Arts in Santa Monica and am trying to join the theater community outside our own small circle. I’d love to speak with your about a blog post or link exchange with your site.
    Thanks,

    Bill Soule
    310.828.1300
    LA Online Media
    http://www.LAOnlineMedia.com

  36. Dan @ Bigfoot Toy

    November 4, 2010 at 10:03 am (UTC -8) Link to this comment

    Hi Debbie, this article has been really helpful and sharing your experiences will definitely help others.

  37. Classic Tuxedo

    November 11, 2010 at 3:36 am (UTC -8) Link to this comment

    Love the content you have on here. Please keep up the good work and I will be sure to visit quite often. I really enjoyed reading your article and was wondering As an actor for drama.

  38. Bill @ Bigfoot Toy

    December 7, 2010 at 4:51 pm (UTC -8) Link to this comment

    What an exciting thing for your family. Not only to have your daughter pursuing her acting career, but to be able to help other families pursue their dreams, too. Best of luck (or should I say “break a leg”? 😉 )

  39. joy

    January 9, 2011 at 11:43 am (UTC -8) Link to this comment

    and i dont have a agent:( 🙁

  40. joy

    January 9, 2011 at 11:43 am (UTC -8) Link to this comment

    pls answer back pls

    :mrgreen:

  41. MonaVie

    January 16, 2011 at 10:09 pm (UTC -8) Link to this comment

    I had seen some good movie of your young actors. And like to know any new movies are coming in this year?

  42. Karn@SEO Business Box

    January 18, 2011 at 1:38 am (UTC -8) Link to this comment

    There is so much great information here. I will refer this site onto one of my close friends whose daughter is obsessed with show biz! Many thanks

  43. shaneja

    January 18, 2011 at 4:31 pm (UTC -8) Link to this comment

    i have wanted to be an actor since i was ten how can i become one

  44. Angie

    February 17, 2011 at 6:28 am (UTC -8) Link to this comment

    My son has been approached by agents in NY and LA at a scouting event. He is 7 and said he wants to be an actor since he was 4. He has done local theatre and they casted him as Pinocchio. I don’t know if we are financially set to separate the family and half live in LA for awhile. Could you share how you did this and the cost of living there in an apt? I hate to pass this opportunity up but have no idea how to accomplish this goal. If I give up my job we don’t have health benefits. We live in pittsburgh PA.

  45. Sam@Steam Cleaner Reviews

    April 20, 2011 at 11:03 pm (UTC -8) Link to this comment

    Cool blog and wish you all the best in the acting industry.

  46. Wendi Kientzy

    May 6, 2011 at 1:11 am (UTC -8) Link to this comment

    Thank you so much for this interesting read! I wish i had discovered this blog a long time ago, so much great information…

  47. susan

    May 10, 2011 at 6:45 am (UTC -8) Link to this comment

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    Please contact me as soon as possible to let me know if you will take advantage of this limited offer. In the meantime, I invite you to visit our blog.
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  48. traducteur anglais

    May 15, 2011 at 4:28 pm (UTC -8) Link to this comment

    Hi,

    any update on how success goes on?

1 2

  1. What Is a Coogan Account? | Your Young Actor

    March 25, 2009 at 2:59 pm (UTC -8) Link to this comment

    […] Debbie Sikkema, http://www.youryoungactor.com/about […]

  2. Are You Ready to Brave the Los Angeles Traffic? | Your Young Actor

    March 29, 2009 at 3:47 pm (UTC -8) Link to this comment

    […] Debbie Sikkema, http://www.youryoungactor.com/about […]

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