When children are taken on auditions, the process involves the parent a great deal, so for your child to have a good audition, there are several things a parent must do well.
The first, and one of the more important tasks of a parent, is to be honest with your child. Let your youngster know there are no guarantees, especially if they have never been on any type of performing arts audition.
Winning a part in an upcoming Hannah Montana episode, or any other type of performing arts role, is not guaranteed, no matter how talented or bright a child may be. The casting people have a specific criteria they must follow. They have an agenda and they must stay focused no matter how good an impression a talented child may make. This is one of the reasons our school likes to team with agents and casting people who are actively searching for specific types for a specific project. We are able to spot new talent this way and give the new talent the opportunity to further develop their talent for future opportunities.
Many successful, and talented children and teens go to dozens of auditions before they get their first part. As a parent, it is important that you prepare your child for this reality.
Children and teens are treated the same way adults are at auditions! Performing arts is a serious business. The standard auditioning rules apply just as they do in an adult audition. Arrive fifteen minutes early and come prepared and rehearsed, if you know ahead of time what is expected. For acting roles, children and teens are normally asked a 3-4 questions and then are expected to either do a “cold reading” or perform the lines thrown at them. In some auditions the parent is given a script when they arrive. It is up to the parent to “quietly” assist their child is reviewing it and preparing until the child’s name is called. All auditions follow a procedure that fits the parts they are casting, so there are too many variables to list, so simply be prepared to follow directions and QUIETLY assist your child.
Talent Agents and Casting Directors like kids who act like kids. You as a parent will usually not be able to sit-in on the audition, so don’t ask or attempt to follow the child in.
Be sure you read all the documents you are handed. If you need to ask questions, do it when staff is not busy with another parent or child. Don’t be too pushy, stage parents already have a bad rap so don’t add to it. If you are attending a dual-audition where a school has scouts present, be sure you understand that the school is looking for talented potential students. If your loved-one is talented enough for a school call-back, realize it is a positive testiment to your child’s natural ability. If you are not in a position, financially or otherwise, to allow your child to pursue professional training, if called-back and invited, prepare your child for that possibility as well. There is always tomorrow.
Be respectful and tell your child they did great afterwards, no matter how they actually performed. Constant support is necessary when the rejection rate of child acting auditions is so high. Once the audition is over, wait a few minutes before you leave. Once in a while a casting director wants your child to come back in and read again. Always say “thank you” as you leave.
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March 24th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
As a parent to a child newly exposed and involved in the entertainment industry it is nice to be able to read somewhere what is expected of YOU. We are told what is expected of the child over and over again so thank you Academy of Cinema and Television for outlining OUR role and duties as the child’s parent. Again some very helpful information.