4 Tips For Young Actors Auditioning for Period Pieces

What do the Broadway shows “Annie,” “Mary Poppins,” and “Newsies” have in common? They take place in another era. Period pieces are fun projects for kids. Being plopped into a different time with unusual clothing under interesting circumstances makes the experience rich with fantasy and compelling to master for young actors.

Despite the allure, it can be difficult for a young actor to audition well for these kinds of roles because we are all products of our own time and place. Casting directors want to see the “real” you while easily imagining a child of a different era. You can do this by making a few adjustments to your audition preparation process. Follow these tips when auditioning for period roles to travel to another time!

1. Dress neutrally, with a hint of yesterday. Start with the audition uniform. I recommend that boys dress in khakis and a button down shirt and girls dress in a classic skirt and neutral blouse. Don’t worry that your 19th century character may have worn knickers. The point is to not get in the way of the casting director envisioning you in the appropriate dress, and 21st century clothing, makeup, hair and shoes have a way of doing that. However, a hint of history in your appearance can often be memorable. Hair pinned up in a proper manner, for instance, can be just the thing to express your 19th century persona.

2. Act the part. “It’s not what you say, but how you say it.” Pretending to be from another era may require the child actor to soften an attitude. Hands on hips, tongue out, and a bratty attitude may not work in another time. For example, it wouldn’t be credible for Michael Banks, the character in “Mary Poppins,” to have run a nanny out of the household with that kind of behavior.

3. We’re all the same. It is a mistake to treat characters from a different era as wholly different from people today. Connect to them emotionally the same way you would connect to a contemporary character. Stiff, unyielding clothing doesn’t make a character have a stiff personality. Play the emotional connection with honesty, and you are sure to make an impression.

4. Follow the rules. So if characters from different eras are just like us, then what’s the difference? The difference lies in the rules and expectations of society and what a character would have understood about the world in that time. Here’s where a little research helps. But don’t get bogged down in transforming your personality. Again, a little hint of the time is all you need. The observance of a small detail of period etiquette, for example, can help make your portrayal of a character believable.

Playing a character from a bygone era is fun and challenging. Casting directors, however, do not expect you to master the entire period in the audition. They are looking for a young actor who embodies the spirit of the character and who they trust to master the additional details to successfully play the part. Prepare to accomplish that, and you may find yourself living in some very interesting times.

Choose the Right Summer Camp for your Young Actor

As a former child actor, all I wanted to do was eat, breathe, and live theater. For me, that meant spending my summer doing show after show after show. I wanted to be with kids who “got” me. I didn’t hang around with the popular crowd or the intellectuals. Socially, my comfort zone was with the theater geeks. I couldn’t imagine a better way to spend eight weeks of my summer than fitting in and doing what I loved. As an adult, I also spent my summers at theater camps directing and teaching so I have some experience with these programs that might be of interest to you.

1. Does your child want an overnight or day camp? I was only seven years old when I went to a sleep-away camp for eight full weeks. I was very independent and loved a sleepover every night of the week. This may or may not work for your child. Today there are lots of available options ranging from two to eight weeks of overnight camp. If your child does not like to be away from you and may get homesick, then choosing a day camp may be the perfect solution for now. Either type of theater camp program will offer the same kinds of activities with classes in acting, voice, dance, and rehearsing and putting on a show. I think the main difference is that the overnight camp experience will teach your child independence and responsibility while fostering close-knit, lifelong relationships with other young performers.

2. Does your child want only theater or an all around camp experience? Overnight camps, such as Stagedoor Manor, focus only on theatre arts. Although there is an outside pool, there are no sports or fine arts programs. Their goal is education, performance, and community. They validate kids’ passions and encourage them to build relationships with other kids like themselves doing what they love – theater! Agents, managers, and casting directors love to visit this camp in the summer to scout new talent. There are also options such as Frenchwoods Festival of the Performing Arts. This is another wonderful sleep-away camp, which places a strong emphasis on the performing arts. However, they also offer a wide variety of programs in everything from a circus to art to cooking. Industry pros also visit this camp in hopes of discovering the next big star. Another option is a camp like Long Lake Camp for the Arts in the Adirondacks. This unbeatable, spectacular mountain setting offers a non-competitive, full-camp experience in addition to the performing arts. This camp has a different vibe in that campers can choose daily what they would like to do.

3. What size camp is right for your child? Again, there are many options when it comes to camp size. With about 290 campers, the staff at Stagedoor knows everyone by name. Even smaller, Long Lake has 250 campers per session with a staff of 160. Frenchwoods can have upwards of 800 campers. When you are interviewing camps, ask the question, “How many campers do you have, and how many are in a bunk?” Only you know if your child will do better in a smaller or larger camp community.

4. How much will it cost? Sleep-away camp used to be affordable. At today’s price tag of $3000-$5000 for a three-and-a-half-week session, some camps have become cost prohibitive for many people. Here’s the truth – they are all expensive! Here’s a secret tip – everything is negotiable. Ask about scholarships. I know that some camps want and need boys, so they may offer a discount or even a free ride in some cases. If you don’t ask, you will never know what might be available.

As we all know, the school year can be stressful on kids, especially young working actors who carry the burden of both work and school. Summer camp should be fun!

Keep this in mind as you choose the best summer camp experience for your young performer.

3 Ways Acting Boosts Self-Confidence in Young Performers

As parents, we strive to support our children in all of their endeavors. Actors act because nothing satisfies them as much. For young performers, it instills values and improves a child’s self-image. According to a May 2005 Harris Poll, 93 percent of Americans believe that the arts are essential to a complete education. Acting and performing teaches children the value of their creativity and gives them the confidence to share it with others. If you ever question what your child is achieving on their quest, here are three reminders of why acting can boost self-confidence and help your child thrive.

Acting instills pride in children. Acting requires enormous effort and helps children realize their potential for success. If your child spends time practicing, cultivating, and perfecting a piece of art, she will feel a great sense of accomplishment when she performs. She will carry that sense of pride into other aspects of her life because she developed confidence in her ability to achieve her goals.

Acting improves academic life. Studies show that acting translates into improved academic performance. The American Alliance for Theatre & Education found that students involved in drama performance “scored an average of 65.5 points higher on the verbal component and 35.5 points higher in the math component of the SAT.” Acting develops listening skills, reading comprehension, as well as social skills among children. A good performance relies on the ability for children to work as a team. Teamwork is also a necessary component to a successful academic life. If a child is constantly improving on these skills by performing, her confidence on the stage will improve her confidence in the classroom.

Acting is an outlet for creativity. Acting provides children with a safe space for self-expression. There is no right or wrong. Actors discover more about themselves by working with their minds and bodies. If a child believes in her own ability as an actor, it will translate in her performance. Acting is also a collaborative experience. Actors must work with each other to build trust and confidence in their art. Also necessary to any performance is the work of the stage crew. If your child finds her passion behind the scenes, stage crew and management provides a collaborative setting in which she can learn skills for success.

Acting creates a community for creativity and passion. Whether your child has dreams to act professionally, or simply enjoys it as a hobby, she will learn that her art has value. Success comes from believing in yourself and your abilities. The confidence that children gain through performing will carry over to all aspects of their life.

5 Tips for Educating a Child Performer

Your child has booked a job. Congratulations! There are many things to celebrate, but also countless details to plan. Your child’s schooling is perhaps one of the most important ones. As a parent, you are your child’s advocate. It is up to you to ensure they are devoting much needed time to their education, while supporting them in developing their career. 

While some schools might have no problem with missing an occasional day or two for auditions or TV and film shoots, when your child books a long-term production, schooling and attendance become different matters entirely. Education laws vary from state to state, but most require a tutor for children who work for three or more consecutive days. 

Here are five tips to make the process much easier for you, your child, and their school.

1. Develop a relationship with your school. A family needs to have a healthy working relationship with its school district. It is important for parents to meet with the school’s principal and guidance counselor to confirm that your child is in good standing with the school. It is also important to develop a close and respectful relationship. Remember, you’re all on the same team. 

2. Obtain a work permit. All performers under the age of 18, or those who have not yet graduated from high school, are required by law to obtain a free Child Performer Permit. If you choose to homeschool your child, it is your job to obtain that work permit, and to show the state that your child is receiving a proper education as defined by the local school district. The entertainment industry is not covered by the Federal Labor Standards Act (FLSA), thus the reason for state-by-state work petitions. If you live in New York State you can apply here; if you live in California you can apply here; and if you live in any other state, contact your state’s labor office.

3. Consider your child’s academic standing. New York and California have some of the most comprehensive educational laws for professional children to ensure that schooling is not neglected. In New York, a letter from your school district, signed by your principal or district supervisor, confirming your child is in good standing with your school is required in order to obtain a work permit. California requires a letter grade of ‘C’ or higher in every subject before granting a work permit to a child. It is crucial for your child to maintain academic excellence.

“Getting a grade of ‘C’ gets you a permit, but being a good student requires more than just eking by,” says Alan Simon of On Location Education, the nation’s premier education service for child actors. “A child should be able to meet the homeschool’s requirements, with a thorough understanding of his or her assignments, and a willingness to work them through with the tutor, wherever the location may be on a given day. Schooling on set is a discipline, just like playing a character is.”

4. Get tutoring on set. According to SAG-AFTRA, if a minor is guaranteed three or more consecutive days of employment, the production company is responsible for providing the young performer with a tutor. All productions are required to provide a clean, well-lit, and quiet workspace for children. The producer shall provide schooling equipment and supplies. However, the minor’s parent or guardian must, if permitted by the child’s regular school, secure school assignments and books for use at the place of employment. 

5. Homeschooling. Parents may turn to homeschooling for their child’s education, whether they find their school to be uncooperative or prefer an even greater role in their child’s education. There are plenty of excellent homeschooling programs. Online schools are becoming more popular, as they allow family flexibility when planning lessons around set work. 

But it can be a hard balancing act when a parent takes on the role of a teacher. It is a decision that only you and your family can make, based on the needs of your child. On this topic, Simon says, “The parent has the right to homeschool the child if they want to, but they should think very carefully if that is their strength. It seems easier to homeschool when your child is elementary school-aged, but as they get older and the work becomes more challenging, the family may want to rethink their options.” 

Education is perhaps the most transformative aspect of a child’s life. Child performers have the unique task of balancing academics while pursing a professional career. Show business is a crazy, yet incredibly rewarding ride. As you embark on this journey as a family, it is important to keep the central focus on your child’s growth, both emotionally and academically.

4 Reasons Young Performers Improve With Improv

Recently, I heard from an old student of mine, now a graduate studies faculty member at Harvard University, who said, “I learned a lot from your improv classes, and I find myself using those skills all the time when I teach.” The mastering of improvisational skills tends to be wildly underrated. When parents have the option between choosing acting classes for young performers, improvisation usually falls to the bottom of the list, yet its application reaches far beyond the world of acting. Improv training provides a competitive edge that leads to success in many important areas of life.

Children need to play. Fueling the imagination and exploring creativity is what it’s all about. Once a child starts to “act,” they are doomed. Working without the script, learning to work spontaneously, listening to their instincts, and getting in tune with others will promote creative growth for a young performer. Students who study improvisation with me find themselves hooked on the practice. They learn to conquer their fears, work collaboratively, laugh, and most importantly, have fun.

Improv builds a strong foundation. Acting classes for young performers focus on building a foundation for understanding the craft. Actors learn to dissect and understand the scripts and their characters, listen to their partners, and make important choices that are in line with character objectives. Improvisation is an excellent way to apply these skills and expand through practice. The device used most often in improvisation is “Yes, and…” It means that you say yes to anything thrown at you by your partner in a scene, then start your own contribution with “and...” It is not simply enough to say yes to what your partner is doing in a scene, you must say, “Yes your hair looks great today Jessica, and I hear you were voted homecoming queen!” It’s important to add information for the scene to keep moving forward. Only then can an improviser discover more and more wonderful things! Learning to listen and respond appropriately are important skills to master in life. Doing so creatively brings joy and passion to what may otherwise be a structured and restrictive daily routine.

Let your child live in the moment. Improvisation is just as valuable for a seasoned child performer as it is for someone just starting out. There is always room for your child to expand his actor’s toolbox. Improvisation is about trusting your instincts to respond honestly in situations. It requires a great deal of listening and living in the moment. Acting is not intellectual; it’s about working from your heart. As we grow older, we tend to live in our day planners and seem to drift away from the present. Let your child harness the gift they still have. It will teach them to not only live in the moment during an improvisational class, but also in their work on set and on stage, and most importantly, in life. 

It’s great audition prep. Actors need to be versatile and ready for anything thrown their way. It’s important to know if a child can take direction and be adaptable to any change that may occur with a script or while on set. Your child might be given a new script during the audition or asked to read for a different role. If your child wants to succeed in her cold-read, she has to be able to trust her instincts with the material and live in the moment with confidence. Your son might be at a commercial audition and the casting director might ask him to talk to a can of soup as if it’s his best friend. While many actors might choke under the pressure, your child has improv experience where he’s done far sillier things. He will be able to say yes to that request and make the audition memorable to a casting director. “Yes, and…” does not just hold true in an improv scene, you child needs to say, “Yes, and…” to herself and her abilities.

5 Tips to Help Young Performers Execute the Perfect Monologue

I know it’s college audition season when I hear my students share their lists of monologues with all their acting buddies. They are looking for that perfect monologue and it is hard for young actors to feel confident with their choices—even when they get it just right. Here are some tips to choosing a monologue that will be just right for you when you audition for college, high school, or any general theater audition.

The “A” in acting is for active. Storytelling in a narrative monologue can be a real snooze! Avoid that with something active, not passive. Acting happens when you try to get what you want so literally ask yourself: What am I doing to get what I want? All the non-verbal communication in a character that is falling apart or falling in love or having a nervous breakdown gives a monologue life beyond the words. You cannot communicate all that emotion if you are simply focusing on the words.

Be a smart risk-taker. Stay away from profanity, nudity, or sexually charged material. It is not impressive and can be offensive. Follow the lead of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” and “Rent.” If they can make a school version without profanity, so should you when auditioning as a young performer. Show your edge with actions and intentions and leave the potty mouth at home.

Make real life your art. Find monologues that easily connect to the real personal experiences, thoughts, and emotions that have been important in your life. Material that speaks to you in this intimate way allows you to more easily connect to the character and demonstrate the depth of your understanding. College and high school auditions always require you to demonstrate depth, but they are rarely about showing your full range.

Be age-appropriate. There are many monologues with complex, age-appropriate characters. It simply shows poor preparation when a teen attempts to play Blanche in “A Streetcar Named Desire” because she performed that character in a high school performance. If you want to impress your professors in high school or college, do the research to find quality, age-appropriate material.

Don’t scream. Surprise your audience with the unexpected by playing an opposite. It can be much more powerful and interesting to play a menacing character in a quiet, contained voice. Yelling can make the character seem one-dimensional and that is an audition killer!

Catherine Weidner, chair of the theater program at Ithaca College, summed it up best: “We are looking for people to come through their material. It’s about inner life and connection.”

Let the portrayal of your character come from an honest place in your heart and life, and everyone in the room—including you—just might forget they are seeing a performance.

4 Ways Young Actors Can Dance Toward Success

In dance, your words are your movements. However, it can be very difficult for young performers to tell a story without words. Regardless of whether students come to me with exceptional dance training or not, it’s the acting of the piece—not the choreography—that always presents the biggest challenge.

I see this all the time at auditions. The young performers who book the jobs are the ones who bring much more than proper technique; they communicate the story through their bodies as if they were telling the story with words. Here are some tips to dance your way into booking your next job:

1. Train with improvisation. Improvisation is the perfect training ground to communicate without words. And it is not just for acting class. Kids love it, so my advice is to practice in the checkout line (especially when it’s long), on interminable car trips, and anytime when boredom is about to turn into crankiness. The skills they learn will be the bridge that joins movement for acting with movement for dance.

2. Understand the piece. Before lacing up your tap shoes, learn the story behind the dance. What is the choreographer trying to communicate and how does the movement tell that story? Many, if not most, young performers overlook this critical part and instead go directly on to mastering the dance routine. The expression in your dance will immediately improve if you avoid this common mistake.

3. How does dance move the story along? Janine Molinari, choreographer and founder of Dance Molinari, tells her students, “Dance is often integrated into the performance, as it can advance the plot and character in the same way that singing a song advances the story.” With this type of understanding, dance communicates something honest and specific, and it turns movement into meaning.

4. Show it on your face. My mama always said, “Don’t forget to smile.” When performers bring understanding to the routine, it’s not just a plain old smile; it’s connection and expression that shows on their faces. When joyful dances are accompanied by the same big grin I see on a water slide at a Disney park, I know my students are getting it.

We all know that it is important for actors to move well. What young performers also need to know is that it is equally important for dancers to act well. Know more than the dance steps; know what you are trying to say with the movements you are making. It will make your dance performances stand out at auditions and in every job you book!

6 Things Every Child Actor Needs to Begin a Career, According to an Acting Coach

Your child has a burning passion for acting and performance, and you have taken the leap into the wonderful world of show business. Congratulations! This is an exciting time for you and your child, as well as a busy one. There are many things you can do to help your child prepare for a professional acting career. As a young performer’s manager and acting coach for over 30 years, here are my recommendations of six things you need to get started.

Headshots
Good headshots are essential for your child’s career. A headshot is your child’s business card. It is a casting director’s first impression and a way for your performer to get his or her foot in the door. Initially, parents need not spend money on headshots for children. A good candid photo will be sufficient for an initial interview. However, once your child progresses in his or her career, a professional headshot is essential. Headshots should be a natural representation of your child—a picture that shows their personality. Be sure to find a photographer who has worked with children and photographs in an environment that is compatible with what you want.

Résumé
A résumé provides casting directors with your child’s range of experience. It can be an indicator of your child’s type, which can help him or her land jobs. A résumé is not just a list of acting credits, it is also a place for your child to highlight special skills such as dance, dialects, and sports, as well as acting training. The résumé should be laid out simply in columns, making it easy to read. Do not include your home phone number or an address; instead, provide a cellphone contact. There is also no need to mention your child’s age or age range, as this is limiting.

Demo Reel
While this isn’t essential for a beginning acting career, it can help. A demo reel provides an image of your child’s presence, how they look on film, and his or her acting ability. It is a bonus for casting directors, as they can gain a sense of your child’s personality.

Audition Materials
Just as headshots are your child’s business cards, audition materials such as monologues and songs are the portfolio. Your child should have two short, contrasting monologues memorized that he or she feels comfortable performing in auditions or interviews. If your child sings, they should also have 16 bars of a song performance-ready. A personal connection to the monologue and song is an opportunity to show authenticity and skills, as well as a range of diversity.

Training
Training is an essential element to your child’s acting career. This is a competitive business where luck, talent, and opportunity meet. Having the right look for a role is key, but talent is what wins out. In my professional opinion, a combination of weekly group classes, workshops, and private coaching is the best training regimen for your child’s artistic growth.

Supportive Family
All of the elements I have discussed are important to your child’s acting career, but none so much as having familial support. Professional acting is a full-time job and it requires support and encouragement from everyone. Rejection is a large part of the entertainment industry; with every success your child experiences, multiple failures precede it. Acting takes a remarkable amount of courage and determination. It’s an industry in which you need to believe wholeheartedly in your abilities as a performer. In order for your child to succeed, you must take a leap of faith as a family and encourage each other on this fantastic journey.

Be a Mentor (Not a Coach) for Your Young Performer

In my years as a talent manager and acting coach for young performers, the one thing I have seen all too many times is the parent-coach. The parent-coach, sometimes known as the “stage mom,” is an all too common occurrence in the world of young performers. Instead of leaving the lessons to the professionals, the parent-coach takes on the role of acting, voice, and dance teacher all in one stroke, and usually with no formal training. The entertainment industry is a tough one, especially for a child. As a parent, you want to support your child, not lead them astray. Instead of being a parent-coach, think about becoming a parent-mentor instead.

Beware the over-coached child. I have seen countless young performers come to lessons with me already having “learned” their scene. They’ve practiced it with their parent beforehand who has given them direction. Oftentimes parent-coaches instruct their child to practice in front of the mirror. The results are disastrous. How can a child explore her emotional connection to her scene partner? How can he stay focused on being in the moment when he is distracted by his reflection? When I see this, I usually have to spend hours deconstructing a child’s bad habits, enabling them to get to the “truth” of their scene. This is not unique to my coaching sessions. The over-coached child is a casting director’s worst nightmare. Casting professionals can spot it in a second, and it usually ends with your child’s résumé in the “no” pile. They are looking for children who are unique, who have passions, who are real kids. Don’t hinder your child’s abilities by espousing your own ideas. Instead, help your child by entrusting them in the care of a skilled professional.

Keep calm in the waiting room. Everybody knows that the waiting room can be one of the most stressful parts of an audition. There you two are, sitting with your child’s competition. It’s this stressful situation that many times sparks the inner parent-coach to life. Shoving last-minute tips and tricks down your child’s throat, telling them to remember to smile and sit up straight, to not forget that line, or to look sad at the end of the scene—these are all typical instances of the audition advice. While they are well-intentioned, it is usually a recipe for an over-coached and stressed out child. Instead of reminding them about all the little things, talk to them about their day, put their mind at ease, support them by reaffirming their abilities, and tell them to have fun. That’s why they’re doing this! Remind them of that passion while giving them confidence in their strengths.

Become a mentor. An acting coach’s job is to instruct young performers. They divulge a curriculum and work with students to gain a new understanding through practice and performance. They take their students on a journey of self-discovery. As tempting as it can be to jump in with extra help, leave this to the professionals. Personally, I have not studied auto mechanics, so when my daughter’s car breaks down, I don’t try and fix it myself. I go to a skilled professional. If you, as a parent, do not have a performance background, leave the training to the professionals. Instead, be your child’s mentor. Find her the right teachers; drive him to his rehearsals; support him through his struggles; and celebrate her successes. You are your child’s biggest advocate. Use your power as a parent to help her grow and flourish in what can be a wonderful but also ruthless industry. You will cherish new aspects of your relationship with your child and you will be surprised what you learn about yourself in the process.

4 Tips to Determine If Your Child Is Ready for Pilot Season

Just two months ’til Christmas—Santa, bring me just a little part on Nick, please? If this is your young actor, you may be starting to wonder if this is the year to venture out to L.A. for pilot season. 

A pilot season article in October may seem premature, but it is most definitely not when you are talking about young actors. The decision to embark is immensely disruptive and should not be taken lightly. Parents pull their kids out of school, put their personal and marital lives on hold, interrupt their careers, and put an enormous strain on family finances. 

It is in childhood where the cold reality of show business often stings the most. The fact is that young actors between the ages of 7 and 12 are at their peak of marketability. Teen actors often find their professional careers squeezed by 18 year olds who can play younger. With the clock ticking and a commitment to supporting their child’s dream, many parents embark before their young actor is ready. 

Here are some tips to see if your child is ready for the bright lights of Hollywood.

1. Desire. A prerequisite to all other factors is the child’s desire and determination to pursue acting above attending school, birthday parties, other extracurricular activities, and the security of daily family life. Give strong consideration to any sign that this is not the case. 

2. Experience. Adult actors often perform best when they are living a full life, have been training for years, and are financially stable. It is much different for young actors. Casting directors want unpretentious, real, down to earth kids that can also deal with the very adult demands of film and television production. National tours and years of experience are not necessary; however, some perspective on the business is. If your child has had few professional auditions or local acting opportunities, it is not the year to go. 

3. Second opinion. There is often a fine line between encouraging your child to take risks and setting them up for failure. Pilot season is one of those times where this maxim is true. If this is the year you might take the leap, leap first in these autumn months to New York or LA and speak to an unbiased advisor for advice and guidance. Readiness is about more than talent. It is also about the child’s marketability, maturity, and disposition, as well as the parent’s readiness. An advisor who has experience with the business of show business for young actors as well as the experience to assess talent in young actors will provide you with an invaluable perspective. 

4. Representation. Pilot season is about getting face time with casting directors for opportunities you might not get elsewhere. Representation is a must because unsigned actors rarely get enough opportunities alone or find an agent that will sign them during the busy months of pilot season. If your child is ready in all other respects, look for an agent or manager now who will promote you when you get to the West Coast—even if it means passing on pilot season for this year. 

Here is the fine print: Many young actors make the pilgrimage, but for reasons that are often completely unrelated to talent, few get substantial roles. With that in mind, I recommend that you focus on your child’s readiness and not the tick-tock of the clock. Young actors who are truly ready can deal with the ups and downs of the business and still come out of pilot season with the same enthusiasm as when they entered it—regardless of the number of jobs booked. I would love to start a conversation and hear about your pilot season experiences so please leave a comment and share!