3 Tips to Help Young Actors Get into Character

Preparation is more than knowing your lines. It is embodying the life of the character. Your emotional state, mood, and choices you make while you prepare all affect that first moment the director yells, “Action.”

When I was just out of college, I apprenticed at the Burt Reynolds Dinner Theatre in Jupiter, Fla. Although I sacrificed sleep and suffered the indignity of washing smelly laundry, it was worth it as I got an insider’s view into the craft and process of some of America’s most iconic and loved actors.

I was struck how every night before Martin Sheen took the stage in “One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest,” he would play basketball with the guys outside the stage door. I wondered at the time why he wasn’t preparing, only to later realize that he was. Basketball—rough, cursing, shoving, and joking—was what he needed to get in the mindset to be the loud, dirty, sexual, and determined character of McMurphy. In his case, genius literally was one percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration!

I tell my students what Sheen knew: An actor cannot begin a scene emotionally empty. It is critical to make good choices leading up to that first moment. Child actors have some unique advantages and challenges in this regard. Although a basketball court may not be readily available before your next audition or when the camera rolls, here are some tips to help with your preparation.

Make up a story one line at a time. Sometimes it is hard to change gears. Homework or a fight with your sister, for example, make it hard to be the cheerful, Disney character you are about to play. One way to leave the day behind is to make up a story with a partner one or several lines at a time with each of you picking up the story where the other left off. This exercise is fun and natural for young actors, sharpens the ability to listen and react, and clears the mind of distractions and anxiety.

Play cards. Really, play cards! If the part you are playing is social and funny, play Go Fish with your mom and possibly another kid waiting to audition. Solitaire, on the other hand, is the way to go if the part is more of a loner or introspective. Young actors often draw on the mood around them, especially when they do not have the life experience to play a part they are asked to play. A social or solitary game of cards will keep you from trying too hard and will help you take advantage of the unfiltered way many young actors are able to naturally tap into the emotional context around them.

Visit the bathroom. It is especially difficult for many young actors to ignore the desire to please or exercise the autonomy to overrule authority figures around them. Sometimes you will need to get away from a parent who wants to drill you on your lines at the very last minute (generally a bad idea) or the child wrangler who just won’t let you be. To use your visit as excellent preparation, leave a note in the stall from the point of view of your character. This is especially fun if you are playing a mischievous role!

Young actors must deal with the same chaos that abounds around adult actors in the moments before they perform and both must create strategies and rituals that they can apply in a variety of circumstances to perform successfully. Kids have the advantages and disadvantages of being kids. Remember to play to your natural strengths in the moments before you begin your role and you are likely to find great success in the moments after.

How to Be a Great Reading Partner for Your Child Actor's Self-Tape

You don’t have to be a trained actor to be a good reading partner for your child. Even if you have your own acting talent, while reading with your child, remember to keep the focus on them. In the supporting role of “great reading partner” for your child, the following tips will help you help your young performer shine. 

1. Stand or sit offscreen. You should not be seen on camera, so position yourself right next the camera. Unless directed otherwise, sit where the actor can look at you while speaking, instead of them appearing to address the camera. She should be speaking and connecting with you, so stay at her eye level.

2. Speak softly and give the actor a microphone. As a reader, you don’t want to steal the focus. It is your child’s audition, not yours. Since you are positioned closest to the camera, the device will pick up your voice more easily, making it sound louder than the actor’s. Remain aware of this when reading and speak softly. You are not co-starring in this scene, but rather providing a framework that supports the actor’s purposes. In addition, it is wise to use an external microphone for the actor’s voice, to tip the sound balance in his favor. Microphones can be purchased for as little as $10 each and are well worth it. Not only do you get more clarity with a mic, but microphones with sensitivity-control have the flexibility to make great recordings in quiet and chaotic settings alike.

3. Read fluently. Practice your lines. The more familiar you are with the script and lines, the more effectively you will be able to support your partner. You are there to help the actor do the best job he can do, so invest the time needed to prepare. Pace is important, especially in comedy, so you also need to know the timing. If you are reading too slowly or too quickly, it can throw the actor off and kill the humor. Ask for help if you are unsure of the best pace or timing. If another family member or friend has better acting or comedy skills than you and offers the time, allow him to do the readings with your child! Remember, this is not about you, and it is important that your child have a competent reading partner.

4. Read all the other parts, and skip the stage directions. One person reads for all of the characters in the scene. Having additional people play other parts is confusing and unnecessary. Keep in mind that stage directions are there for information only! Make sure you and your child have read and know the stage directions, but stick to the usual protocol and do not read stage directions aloud on camera. 

5. Don’t judge or criticize. This is not the time to offer advice on your child’s performance. An actor should not be distracted by concerns of the reader’s perceptions during this process. If you have an idea or healthy suggestion to offer, feel free to take notes for discussion at a later time, as long as jotting your thoughts down does not interfere with the flow of the reading. While reading, your focus needs to stay on playing the character(s) opposite your child, and providing the support he needs.

There are many ways that parents support their young performers, and being the reader is just one of them. Always remember my motto below, and keep things fun while you work together to reach their dreams.

5 Schooling Alternatives for Your Child Actor

Child performers have the unique task of balancing schoolwork while pursuing a professional career. Between classes in acting, dance, and voice, auditions, matinee performances, and film shoots, scheduling them all can be daunting.

Many families today turn to online schooling for their child’s education. Children have the flexibility to take classes at times most convenient to them based on their schedule. It also allows them to work at their own pace, a particularly helpful benefit to child actors who may need to work ahead of schedule because of an upcoming acting commitment. By attending a virtual private school, kids no longer miss class or fall behind. Teachers develop an individualized learning plan that is tailored for each student.

There are plenty of excellent homeschooling programs nationwide. Here a few that many of my students have attended with great success.

Calvert Education 
For moms and dads who are interested in teaching their kid actors themselves, Calvert Education provides a proven, time-tested homeschool curriculum and individual courses with all the tools and support necessary to ensure you are the best teacher your child has ever had. Calvert homeschool families receive step-by-step lesson manuals, unlimited support from their highly trained and certified education counselors, and access to the Calvert Teaching Navigator, an innovative and easy-to-use online resource that makes homeschooling easier and more flexible than ever before.

Connections Academy
This online academy’s state-level schools are tuition-free, fully accredited online public schools for students in grades K–12. The virtual school provides students with the flexibility to learn from anywhere with an innovative curriculum that meets and exceeds all national and state education standards. The combination of credentialed teachers, a proven curriculum, diverse electives, and technology tools and community experiences creates a supportive and successful online learning opportunity for families and children who want an individualized approach to education. Connections Academy also offers an affordable virtual private school option available to anyone around the world with International Connections Academy.

K12 International Academy 
K12 International Academy is a private online college preparatory school for grades K–12 accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI), and is recognized as a diploma granting institution by the Virginia Council for Private Education. Highly credentialed teachers deliver an individualized education using the academy’s online classroom platform. Multiple enrollment start dates are available throughout the year for full- and part- time students. Check out their website for more information!

Laurel Springs School
Laurel Springs School is a fully accredited private online school for students in grades K–12 and is known best for working with actors, musicians, and other performers. Academic programs are offered that aim to honor each child’s individual learning style and educational needs. The staff is knowledgeable about the specific needs of student performers, and has experience regarding extensive student travel schedules, work permits, studio teachers, and other pertinent topics. In addition, Laurel Springs has an outstanding record of placing its graduates into the selective colleges and universities of their choice!

The School for Young Performers (SYP)
SYP is not an online program but offers and alternative to the traditional classroom setting. This New York State registered K–12 private school has been around for 21 years strong. The school was designed in 1995 for students with careers in the performing arts, modeling, or athletics—as well as private families. SYP’s founders and administrators have been providing a quality academic alternative in on-location settings for over 30 years. Moreover, the SYP program brings exclusive and exemplary education directly to its students anywhere and anytime.

These are only a few of the many virtual programs offered online. I’d love to hear about other schooling options and programs that have worked well for you and your young performer—sound off in the comments below!

Work Permits + Blocked Trusts: What You Need to Know for Child Actors

Your child is auditioning regularly in the hopes of landing a paying gig. The next step is to make sure you have everything in place to satisfy production and protect your child’s earnings, which means you’ll need to have valid work permits and a blocked trust (or Coogan) account. Plan in advance; don’t wait until your child books a job to look into everything. 

Work Permits
Minors working professionally are often required to obtain a work permit to ensure their employment does not harm their health or education. State laws regarding work permits vary widely, so check with your state of residence and, if different, the state where your child is performing to see what’s required.

Work permits are usually issued by a state’s department of labor. In New York, it is possible to get a one-time, fifteen-day temporary work permit if your child is suddenly cast and has not previously been issued a work permit in the state of New York. In California, it is a one-time, ten-day permit. However, I recommend that you apply for a work permit as soon as your child is ready to pursue professional roles, especially if they will be auditioning in New York or California. Most states issue an initial six-month work permit.

What you will need: A birth certificate and documentation of satisfactory school attendance, school performance, and health signed by a principal or school administrator. If a child is homeschooled, a parent can complete the educational form along with an affidavit from the school responsible for overseeing their child’s educational program. For more information on work permits, visit sagaftra.org.

READ: How to Know if Your Child Is Passionate About Acting or if It’s a Phase

Blocked Trust/Coogan Accounts
In the 1920s, Jackie Coogan became the first major child actor in America to earn millions of dollars. When he became an adult, he discovered his parents had spent most of his money. Coogan battled his mother in court and was able to recover a small portion of his earnings, but the legal battle resulted in the 1939 enactment of the California Child Actor’s Bill, often referred to as the “Coogan Law” or the “Coogan Act,” and requires that a child actor’s employer set aside 15 percent of the earnings in a trust.

In states other than California, a Coogan account is legally known as a blocked trust account. The stipulations are the same—15 percent of a minor actor’s earnings until they reach adulthood—and is required in California, New York, Louisiana, and New Mexico. New York calls their accounts UMTA or UGMA Compliant Trust accounts, while Louisiana and New Mexico both refer to them as blocked trust accounts but vary in the requirements for setting them up. Each state has specific requirementsfor these accounts. 

If your child needs a blocked trust account, start by consulting with your financial advisor and local banks. Not all banks offer blocked trust accounts for minors, and even some that do have employees who are not familiar with them. Explore several options to find an account with the best interest rate.

The following national banks provide blocked trust/Coogan accounts: SAG-AFTRA Federal Credit Union, Actors Federal Credit Union, Bank of the West, City National Bank, First Entertainment Credit Union, Morgan Stanley/Smith Barney, Union Bank of California, and Wells Fargo. Each bank has different requirements for opening these accounts. Most require your child’s name, social security number, certified birth certificate, and proof of your identity along with the initial deposit. 


Once you have established a blocked trust account, ask the bank to immediately provide you with a letter (on letterhead) documenting the following items: The name, full street address, and phone number of the financial institution branch where the account was opened, the date it was opened, the type of the account specified as a blocked trust, and the routing and account numbers. You will also need the signature of the financial representative who set up the account. As soon as you have this letter, make several copies. Store the original in a secure location and provide copies to your child’s agent and manager. 


Make sure to monitor the account carefully. It’s not unheard of for money to fall through the cracks with production and not find its way into your child’s account. Don’t rely on your agent or manager to follow up—take control of that by calling the bank to make sure the money is where it should be.

12 Terms Parents of Child Actors Need to Know

Every industry has its own lingo. When your child enters the entertainment industry, you'll encounter a whole new vocabulary. These terms are frequently used when describing auditions and scripts. If you can familiarize yourself with them now, you'll be able to help your young actor understand what's required and how to use these terms correctly.

Booking: Getting hired for the job.

Breakdown: A description of the project that includes a storyline synopsis in addition to descriptions of all the characters/roles in the script. It also commonly includes names of the people involved in the project such as the directors, casting directors, and producers as well as an estimated start date and location of the production.

Callback: A second or additional audition to an initial interview or audition.

Cold read: For auditions, reading aloud a scene or sides with little or no rehearsal.

Copy: A commercial or voice over script.

Improvisation: A spontaneous scene leading to discovery that allows the actor to find reality within themselves while performing without a script. 

Local hire: An actor hired locally where production (usually TV and film) is being shot. This eliminates costs for travel, housing and per diem.

READ: How Child Actors Can Get Work in Atlanta & Florida

Open call: An interview or audition open to anyone.

Sides: Pages or scenes from a script used by performers selected for an audition that highlights a specific character.

Slate: In on-camera auditions the performer’s introduction of their name, age (if under 18), and sometimes height, hometown and agency.

Triple Threat: An actor or actress who can sing, dance and act skillfully and equally well usually referring to performers in musical theatre.

Type (or type casting): Characterizing performers based on their “look.”

Knowing these terms will help you avoid confusion and feeling that others know more than you do. There are plenty more terms pertaining to other areas of the entertainment industry as well. Next month look for my article identifying key terms as it relates to legal and union matters.

5 Things Young Actors Need to Land TV Roles

I’ve been working with young actors for many years, first as a talent representative and today as an acting teacher and coach. When I ask them what they want to achieve in this business, the responses vary: to be on Broadway, to be famous, to make people laugh, to be on a television series.

Years ago when I first started representing actors, television was not a popular option. “Real” actors starred in films or were on Broadway. There was a worry that if you landed a role on television, you might get stuck there. But today, television is well respected and full of great opportunities. In addition to the networks, there are series on Amazon, Netflix, and Hulu, with many more cable and independent producers arriving on the horizon. Today’s television is outstanding! Just look at your social media feed. We are all tweeting or posting about the fabulous new series we just binge watched or trying to find the time to watch all of the others we just heard about it. Shows like “Stranger Things” have catapulted young careers to stardom. Landing a TV series today is a dream job for an actor because it provides a steady paycheck, an opportunity to work consistently doing what you love, and a chance at fame.

Let me share this story to inspire you. About four years ago I met a young actress who had done school plays and community theatre. Her dream, like many young actors, was to appear on Broadway or star in a television show. Her mom recognized her talent and drive but didn’t know how to begin. She began shopping for an agent or manager to help her daughter get started. The first rep she approached acknowledged her passion but also spotted the girl’s lack of training. She gently told her she needed to take some acting classes and get experience. The young girl did not live in a big city but she found alternative ways to train and be mentored. Today, this teen actress is starring on a Nickelodeon series. This is how she did it:

1. Perspective
My client learned early on that she needed training and experience before she could get signed by an agent or manager. Looking for representation too soon can be a mistake. If you’re not sure your child has the skill or readiness, seek out an industry professional to give you an honest assessment. Once your child is trained and ready, there will be plenty of reps eager to take them on.

2. Training
You can live outside a big city and still get amazing acting training. Many acting teachers and coaches (myself included) offer ongoing group classes, one-day workshops, and private one on one lessons, both in person and via Skype. Find a teacher or coach with a good reputation and experience working with young actors and get ongoing, consistent training.

3. Balance
Landing a role on TV may seem akin to finding a needle in a haystack, but it is possible. Stay positive and happy while enjoying other things in your life such as good friends, hobbies, and opportunities that enrich your life and give you purpose. My client is a well balanced young lady with other interests in her life. Let go of desperation and replace it with humility and graciousness.

4. A supportive family
The most important thing a young performer needs is a parent who believes in and is willing to support them. That parental support helps actors believe in themselves and develop the confidence necessary to show up and say, “I got this” with quiet confidence.

5. Persistence
Don’t give up before the miracle happens. My client and her mom did whatever they could to support her dream. She worked with me every week on SKYPE. She traveled to New York on school holidays and during the summer to work intensively in classes and productions. After all that training and experience, she started shopping for representation. Although there were many no’s, she persisted until she found a local agent in her home state who believed in her. That agency pitched her to Nickelodeon and all of her dreams came true.

Teen Actors: It’s Time to Rethink the Way You Train

Here’s some encouraging news for 2018: You no longer have to worry about whether you’re talented enough or if you can really “do it.” You can sleep peacefully knowing you don’t have to compare yourself to others in your class or play. You can stop trying to please teachers and impress directors.

Pretty bold statements, sure, but with a combined 60 years of experience working with young actors, we’re excited to let you in on a teen actor training revolution taking place. Acting is supposed to be thrilling not just for the audience but for the actor as well. But how can you, the actor, have any fun or enjoyment if you’re constantly worried about being good enough? You can’t. This is a problem that stems from actor training that’s rooted in results. Your director says to “smile bigger here” or “be angrier now.” You’re told to produce these results and because you don’t have a different way of working and you very much want to give your director those results, you fake it.

But “faking it” isn’t acting, despite what a lot of people think. We can’t tell you how many students have come to us and shared that they thought acting was basically just being a good faker. And this, dear friends, is the root of the problem. Instead of faking it, you need a clear, simple, human way of approaching your craft. And here’s how to do it.

Simplicity
Acting is actually very simple but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. It takes consistent hard work, but it’s not complicated! You can begin right now by looking at the character as an actual human being. Just like you, the character has hopes and desires, struggles and challenges, great accomplishments and painful failures, moments of joy and deep suffering. Just like us. This is the human story, the basis of every script you will ever read. Remember that you do have something in common with every character and the connection doesn’t have to be a complicated one.

READ: How Young Actors Can Discover Powerful Audition Material

Clarity
The minute you read a script, grab a notebook and write down how the character moves you, how you relate to what makes them feel good and what makes them suffer. These are the keys. Can you find connections with how you see the world? This will immediately help you understand the character’s point of view, which is where you should start when stepping into their shoes.

Utter Humanity
Every play and every movie is a story about human beings, no matter the style or the period. And you know what? This is something you know how to do since you do it every single day. In our series of articles here, we will bring together everything you know about being human and everything you discover about the characters in the script. You’re going to see that what we believe about you is true:

1. You are amazing and brilliant.

2. You are gifted and powerful and unique. We don’t care what others may have said and we don’t care what you may have told yourself.

3. We know you have everything you need to be a great actor.

We also know that you are driven by a great desire to express your true self, to make a big difference in this crazy world. We believe you can do this—you just need the right tools. And that is our desire, to give you those tools. We’re on a very personal mission to help you fulfill your gifts and realize your destiny. So join us in the teen acting revolution this year and become the future of the craft.

12 Film Terms Young Actors Should Know Before Stepping on Set

News flash! Actors are not the center of a film; they are just one small part in the making of a movie.

Creating a film is a huge project that usually involves hundreds of people, including the actors. So it’s important for young actors to understand the roles and responsibilities of a film crew so that when they step on set, they have a basic understanding of what’s happening. Below are 12 terms every young actor should know before their first day on set.

Director: A director controls a film’s artistic and dramatic aspects, bringing the story to life on screen while guiding the crew and actors to fulfill his or her creative vision. The director chooses the cast, production design, and creative aspects of filmmaking. Most people become directors after attending film school or spending years in the business. 

Assistant director: In charge of managing cast and crew while assisting the production manager and the director, the assistant director is second-in-command on set. There may be several ADs working on a major film.

Producer: The producer is the highest-ranking person on a film. They are ultimately responsible for the film and duties ranging from creating an initial budget to running day-to-day operations. Producers also typically make the acceptance speech when collecting awards. Most films have several producers, including a line producer, associate producer, and executive producer.

READ: How to Become a Film Director

Production assistant: Also referred to as PAs, the production assistant helps the first assistant director with set operations and in the production office with general tasks.

Screenwriter: A good script is vital to a film’s success. A screenwriter writes the script, working closely with the production team to set the tone, setting, characters, and storyline. They must understand the filmmaking process and know how to work in this visual medium.

Script supervisor: The script supervisor keeps track of what parts of the script have been filmed and makes notes of any deviations between what was actually shot and what appears in the script. Script supervisors are also in charge of continuity, ensuring that everything you see matches the time period and is consistent from frame to frame. If you’ve seen a modern watch on the hand of a medieval knight, that was an error in continuity.

Director of photography: Also known as the DP, this director heads the technical department and makes sure the script is translated into visuals based on what the director’s vision is. 

Camera operator: Working closely with the DP to determine the composition of each shot as instructed by the director., the primary job of the camera operator is to make smooth pan and tilt moves to maintain the composition and keep the action within the frame lines.

Makeup artist: The goal of the makeup artist is to make everyone on screen look as good as possible. He/she works closely with the director and production team to create the looks required for the various parts of the movie. Some makeup artists specialize in special effects, like wounds or scars for horror films.

READ: How to Become a Makeup Artist

Hairstylist: Prepares the performers’ hair with styles that suit production requirements. Stylists work to determining the proper hairstyle or wigs for the period and character, as well as ensuring the style flatters the actor.

Gaffer: Also known as the chief lighting technician, gaffers are in charge of the electrical department and work closely with the DP to achieve the vision, look, and feel of the film through the lighting.

Grip: Grips ensure all the equipment—cameras, lights, etc.—are correctly mounted with cables, pulleys, and other rigging. They work closely with the camera department, especially if the camera is mounted on a dolly or crane, and the electrical department to put in lighting setups necessary for a shot. Grips are also responsible for safety on set as it relates to equipment.

Now that you understand these roles on a film set, you can ask the right questions of the right people. Remember that each position is professional and essential to the success of the production. Be sure to treat each person on the film set, from producer to caterer, with respect and courtesy.

Steer Your Career: Ask 3 Questions

For much of the entertainment industry, the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day is a rare moment to slow down. Agencies close, phones stop ringing, and routine emails generally go unanswered until after the holiday.

As I am in London this holiday week, I am struck by the way Europeans slow down. Absolutely nothing is open on Christmas Day. Not even mass transit. On the following day, Boxing Day, the biggest shopping day of the season, some tube stations and many stores still remain closed. How different it is on our side of the pond where Black Friday now infringes on Thanksgiving Day itself.

I am taking my cue from the Brits and encouraging you to do the same. Take a moment this holiday season to shut out the shopping and slow down the rush. Connect with your family and friends and the values that matter most in your life. See this moment as an opportunity to reflect on the past year.

Ask yourself the following questions:

1. Have you made strides toward mastering your craft? Think about how your training has helped you grow and how it’s impacted your performance. Reflect on the feedback you received from trusted advisors and audiences to measure your progress. Consider what is missing in your acting toolbox and how you will achieve it.

2. Do you feel empowered?  Take stock of your career goals and the steps you have taken to work in the industry. Determine if they are reasonably attainable and in line with the development of your craft. Examine your daily, weekly and monthly habits to evaluate whether your actions support and further your goals. Reflect on the guidance you receive from your mentors and representatives to determine if you are a good fit for each other, and whether they are enabling you to make purposeful and confident decisions.

3. Are you enjoying the journey? Question how you feel in the morning and before bed. Deliberate in what ways your attitude toward your craft and the business has changed in the past year. Review what you have been saying to your friends and colleagues about your professional accomplishments.

For me, Sidney Poitier said it best: “I had chosen to use my work as a reflection of my values.” In this simple, but powerful statement, Mr. Poitier reminds us that the expression of ourselves as authentic actors begins with an understanding of ourselves as human beings.

My wish for every actor is to use the self-awareness of this moment to move ever closer toward achieving your goals while remaining true to your values. Best wishes for a happy, healthy and successful new year!

Why the Most Talented Kid Doesn’t Always Get the Role

As an acting teacher, my job is to train young artists. In my thirty years of experience, I’ve been fortunate to work with some incredibly talented young actors.

Unfortunately, talent and skill isn’t enough to win roles. Just because a young actor is the most talented one in the room, it’s not guaranteed they will get the job. This is undoubtedly frustrating—in many other industries, if you study hard and develop natural talents, you’ll likely find work. But that’s not the case in show business. In fact, there are many other factors other than talent and skill that determine who books a role:

A poor attention span: Even if your child can sing like an angel, dance like Fred Astaire, and act proficiently, if he can’t be trusted to take direction properly or remember cues, he won’t be cast.

Physical characteristics: If your child is taller than the actress playing her mother, too heavy to be easily lifted by other actors who need to carry her off stage, or doesn’t look like the other actors cast to play family members, she will not win the role.

Bad luck: Maybe the casting director was just exhausted during your child’s audition after sitting through hundreds of others. Or maybe the needs of the production change.

It’s important to remember that the real job of a young actor is to audition to the best of his ability, not to win the part. Being cast or not is outside of your (or your child’s) control.

READ: What Child Actors Should Expect Over the Years

To help make sense of it all, I spoke with casting director Matthew Maisto, CSA. Here’s what he had to say on the subject:

“Only one person gets the role! Don't make it personal, most actors auditioning aren't going to get the job. Unlike most businesses, our industry is mainly subjective regarding decision making. No grading system in casting means there's no way for an actor to understand what they could have done ‘better’ to change the outcome. Most of the time the answer is nothing.

“Simply put; another actor was more right for the role. Keep in mind that auditioning for a role in a film, on TV, or a play is not a competition with judges and score card to determine who’s the most talented. Usually, we are not looking for the best actor, but rather the right actor. Many factors inform which actor is seen as the most right for a role. Presence and personality are often just as important as skill and natural talent.”

Talent manager, Lauren Singer of Lauren Singer Talent, also shared a story with me.

“I have a client who was objectively not the most talented actor going in for the role on Broadway, and she knew it! Many of the other kids were Broadway veterans with many credits under their belt. In fact, I had another client audition for the same role who was an experienced triple threat. My “less experienced” client got the role because she was good enough and she was the right height and look for the role.

“My other client was clearly disappointed but understood what happened and was able to not take it personally. It is not that you aren't good enough or not talented enough. The more an actor and actor's family can understand this, the better able they are to be able to tolerate and manage the inevitable slings and arrows that come with being a working actor.”

While there are many things a young actor cannot control during the audition process, her level of preparation and work ethic are very much in her hands. More than talent or looks, professional behavior and a willingness to take direction are essential ingredients in casting choices.

Guide your child to prepare thoroughly, approach auditions with confidence and the ability to be herself, and have fun. When she does, she’ll have the presence and personality to go along with her talent and have the best chance of winning that elusive role!