6 Ways for Parents of Child Actors to Stay Healthy

If you have a child actor in your family, you know what a challenge it is to keep up with casting calls, paperwork, classes, and rehearsals. It can be easy to place your child’s career ahead of your needs. You’ve all heard the advice about putting on your oxygen mask first, but it bears repeating here. If you are not taking care of yourself, you will be of no service to your child.

Acting is a family business when young performers are involved. What started out as a hobby for your child has turned into a full-time job… for you. Driving, traveling, staying up late helping your child with their lines and caring for your other family members is extremely demanding. I have worked with hundreds of children, teens, and parents over the years. The kids who thrive are the ones with healthy parents who are great role models. One of the most important things you can do to help your child succeed is to take care of yourself.

Here are some helpful tips to make sure you stay emotionally and physically healthy so that you can handle the demands of your child’s career and manage your other responsibilities at home:

Find your own passion. It is exciting to fantasize about your child becoming a star but living vicariously through them can be damaging to both of you. Instead, discover what turns you on. Just like teaching your child to go after their dream, practice what you preach. No matter what age you are, you need something in your life that lights you up. If your career isn’t fulfilling, find a new flexible one. Take an online class to learn a new skill, develop your creativity in art or dance classes or even volunteer for something meaningful. It is an easy excuse to say there is no time for you. However, your kids want to see you do something exciting and interesting. Soon they will be posting your accomplishments on Instagram.

Stay physically active. You want to be there for your child—for a long time. As we all know, regular physical activity prevents many diseases, back pain, and stress management. You make sure your kids are staying active. Give yourself the same gift. If you don’t have time for a gym membership, carve out time to walk, take an exercise class, dance or practice yoga.

Be open-minded. Parents of young actors have many challenging decisions to make, especially about taking an out-of-town job or auditioning for a touring production. This can cause anxiety. There are no easy answers and many factors to consider. My suggestion is to stay open to all possibilities and look for creative solutions. Don’t just close a door without fully exploring how it can work. Talk about the implications with all family members so everyone is heard and considered. Some parents say no too quickly and then regret it.

READ: “How to Help Your Child Actor Find Success”

Delegate. In a recent coaching session, a mom was distraught about the amount of time it was taking to help manage her daughter’s career. She had no time for herself. She was not taking time for friendship, her marriage, or her health. She was starting to feel depressed, lonely and anxious. My recommendation was that she hire some help so that she could carve out some time for herself and her relationships. Consider housekeepers, drivers, grocery delivery, or any other people who can take some of the load off of your shoulders. It’s a worthwhile investment. 

Be financially responsible. You may have to leave your job to manage your child’s career. This may affect your family’s income, and with that comes stress. The costs add up: training, travel, audition expenses, headshots, child care, demo reels. Consult with your accountant and perhaps your financial planner. Learn about the tax implications and the record-keeping required to track expenses. Also, manage your per diem payment for expenses wisely. When you can alleviate financial insecurity, you will have one less worry.

Seek out help when you need it. Life is hard, let’s face it. Being the parent of a child actor is challenging. But you don’t have to go it alone. Talk to a life coach, therapist, or gather together with other parents who can offer support. When you find yourself feeling anxious, unable to sleep, exhausted or cranky, it’s time reach out and talk to someone who understands.

When you use these six tips, you’ll be happier, healthier, and more able to enjoy your life and your child’s acting career.

4 Reasons Young Performers Should Wait to Join the Union, According to a Child Acting Coach

Most actors think they’ve made it when they’ve joined the union. One of the first questions I am often asked by parents is when should their child join the union. Parents think the union is the ticket to booking jobs when their children get started in the industry. It is a common misconception that the union is a marker of success and guarantees representation or work. 

Joining the union is not that simple. The most common ways in are getting hired in a union production or earning points to become an EMC (Equity Membership Candidate) in the theatrical union, Actors Equity Association. It takes hard work and often many auditions before becoming eligible. So instead of pondering why a child actor should join the union right away, why a child actor should hold off is the more important question. 

1. Union membership is expensive. Acting is an expensive career for you and your family. Between headshots, training, travel expenses, and time, you devote many resources to acting. The national initiation fee for SAG-AFTRA is $3,000 and the annual membership is hundreds of dollars. Membership is the same cost for a veteran actor getting continuous work and a 5-year old just starting out. Why pay to join something until you have to? 

2. Children can always be seen. It is a myth proliferated among actors that the union is essential to getting seen by representation and getting auditions with casting directors. Membership in the union doesn’t give your child preferential treatment in the eyes of agents or casting directors. They almost always see nonunion children at the end of the day. The bottom line is industry professionals are interested in genuine talent and actors who will make their projects successful. 

3. Gaining experience is more important. The most important thing to know before joining the union is that an actor is trained and well rounded. It is a fact there is more nonunion work than union work available to young performers. Gaining experience in all types of projects including student films, independent films, local and community theater, and even Web series will add experience to a résumé and provide learning opportunities in professional environments. 

4. Don’t limit your child. The union can keep your child from working. Once your child joins the union, they are ineligible for nonunion work. Your child might get a union job and then may have a dry spell. Auditions for actors go through cycles; sometimes it’s nonstop auditions, and other times it’s quiet. The quiet times are a great opportunity to submit your child for local theater, student films, and even extra work. As I said above, it keeps them busy and adds valuable experience and continued exposure. In this business, working constantly in a variety of environments is more valuable than holding off for jobs that are strictly union. 

When your child is starting out in the entertainment business, it’s important to leave them open to all the opportunities available. The union has been protecting actors and securing jobs for over 80 years, and its work is not to be under-appreciated. There comes a point when your child will have to join the union, but when they’re just starting out and building a résumé, why restrict them? You never know if your child’s big break can come through a small opportunity

How to Be the Best Advocate for Your Child Actor

As the parent of a rising star, you may be wondering how you can be the very best parent for a child who wants to perform. Whether your child stars in a movie or a local community theater production, there are things you can to do foster and support their dreams of performing.

If your child doesn’t have an agent or manager, you can help them find opportunities to act on their own. Encourage them to seek out online sources and trade magazines like Backstage, and to talk to other kids in the business. Remember: an actor has to act; it’s not enough to just dream about it. So support and encourage them in school and community outlets.

Since acting opportunities are limited, you may want to help your child find other ways to get their “fix.” Enroll them in an ongoing weekly acting class where they will learn about the craft, forge relationships with other young actors, and begin to network. This is a collaborative art and their young classmates today will be their coworkers tomorrow.

If your child is lucky enough to land a role, there will come a time when it has to end. There will also be dry spells between jobs. Learn how to help your child (and yourself) cope. I’ve had many students in touring productions which last anywhere from six months to a year and there’s always a letdown when it’s over and the child must return to a “regular” lifestyle. It is important to arm yourself with tools to help them through this process.

Acting is a family business when young performers are involved. From your other children to your marriage to your personal relationships, everyone is affected. A happy and healthy home environment will help your child actor reach their personal best. Of the hundreds of children, teens, and parents I’ve worked with over the years, the kids who thrive are the ones with parents who are great role models.

READ: 12 Terms Parents of Child Actors Need to Know

When your child is blessed with talent and a desire to act, sing, dance, and entertain, it’s a gift. By taking care of yourself and educating yourself about the entertainment industry while learning from seasoned industry pros, you’ll be a wise and supportive guide for your child.

Being the parent of a child actor is challenging. But you don’t have to do it alone. Talk to a life coach, therapist, or gather together with other parents who can offer support.

This fall, I’ll be leading parent advocacy groups in person and via phone for parents of child actors. Learn how to assemble and communicate effectively with your team, find performing opportunities for your child, educate yourself on unions, discuss ways to help your child cope with rejection, get support in how to handle your child’s disappointments, and how to take care of yourself physically, emotionally, and spiritually to be the best parent you can be.

There will be many teachable moments in your child’s acting career that will help them grow into a remarkable adult. It starts with you!

6 Questions Child Actors Should Avoid Asking

Much has been written for adults on what not to say in the audition room or ask of an industry professional, but what about for parents and kids? There are a few things that children tend to ask before thinking. After a while, this drives a casting director, an agent, manager, or acting teacher nuts! Most reveal that a young performer has not prepared well enough, and expects an easy answer. Some simply show uncertainty that creates doubt about him or her as an actor.

1. “How do I say this line?” This is by far the most frustrating question to hear from an actor. There are times when a coach may need to feed a beginner a line reading, but a professional doesn’t ask. Being professional means examining the character and lines oneself. Go through the process of thinking it through and ask:

What does the character want as result of saying this line? 
Why does my character say that?
How does my character feel at the moment?

2. “How do you pronounce this word?” Use this guideline: Can I find this answer on my own though other sources? If the answer is yes, then do your own legwork. Be professional and take the initiative whenever you can. This is basic preparation. A casting director doesn’t mind questions, but they don’t like thoughtless ones.

3. “Should I sit or stand?” If a casting director wants you to do something, he or she will ask you. Meanwhile, this is your performance. You have control of the room, so act like it. Do what you have rehearsed or need to do. Show confidence. Only confident actors get hired! 

4. “Can I start again?” Most people get flustered when they make a mistake during a reading. That’s natural! However, you are an actor and this is an audition. Project confidence at all times! If you flub or forget a line and want to start again…just start again. The casting director or industry rep you are reading for will appreciate that you resume control of the situation without any further delay, and you maintain a sense of authority over your performance.

5. “How did I do?” Tempting as it is, never ask a casting director for a review of your (or your child’s) performance. Feedback is an important learning tool, but know whom to ask. It is the job of your agent or manager to obtain feedback for you, and they will provide the answers when they can. 

6. “Who else is auditioning for this role?” Putting your rep or coach in the position of sharing confidential information about other clients isn’t fair, and it isn’t productive. Parents often try to pave the way for their children, looking for new insights. You think it may help to know more about the others who will be auditioning for this project. Honestly, it won’t. It’s natural to be curious about the competition, but don’t be distracted by what other people are doing. Stay focused on what you and your child can influence. The only things you can control are what you and your child are doing, so give that your full attention. Keep the focus on yourself, be prepared, and show up with confidence!

How to Choose an Acting Teacher for Your Child

When parents first call me about acting lessons for their child, they often say, “I’ve heard you are really good with kids!” I have to admit it’s true! Relating to kids comes naturally to me. There are also many other teachers out there who work well with children and teens, so what is the key? What ingredients need to be present to make it most rewarding for your child? Here is a list of things to look for when choosing an acting teacher for your young performer. 

Trust. Acting is intimate. In order to act well, kids need to access their emotions and dig inside themselves so they can relate to the characters they portray. Learning to act takes courage as they share personal stories, take risks with their feelings and try new things in their performance, so it is essential that their learning environment be safe. While giving young students feedback, a good teacher will also be supportive and encouraging. After all, this is about working towards your child’s dream! The teacher needs to build healthy relationships with the children, based on genuine care for each student. Students should never be torn down or abused as part of the learning process! By fostering mutual respect and optimism, a good teacher creates a dynamic that nurtures growth.

Respect. I’m not talking about politeness here. Some people think of children as less important or less capable than adults, and treat them as such. Find professionals who treat your child with the full respect due to all people, regardless of age. This means speaking to children as equals. A good teacher will not talk down to his students, but give them the credit for being able to handle reality. Granted, there are certain age-appropriate adjustments to make when talking about mature subjects, such as sex, drugs, or violence, but kids need honesty. Teachers need to be direct with feedback, rather than sugar-coating it. If a student has a bad acting habit, the teacher has to call him on it! Kids can handle constructive criticism and need to hear it in order to learn and grow as actors. 

Fun! While some adults seem to have forgotten that life can be fun, kids still believe it should be fun—and the kids are right! Learning is hard work, but when a teacher makes it playful, it feels effortless. Allowing students to play and explore is part of the process. They need to be creative and experiment with it. This is a place where they can let loose without being judged. They will be encouraged and praised for their efforts. Kids should come out of class feeling energized! They will have smiles on their faces and be eager to put what they’ve learned to use. 

Empowerment. One thing I always do is give my young students tools they can use when they are on their own, without me to guide them. I teach them to self-direct, so they have the skills to make independent choices in their acting. The goal of a good teacher is to empower a student to incorporate all the knowledge gained in class into who they are out in the real world and make it their own. I take great pride in watching a student put the work she’s done in class with me into motion in front of an audience or camera. If I’ve done my job well, she exceeds her own expectations and grows into a greater, more confident performer—and person—as a result of our time together. 

Remember to look for an acting teacher who specializes in working with young performers when you look for classes for your child. Entertainment is a tough, adult-oriented business and you want someone who is not only good with kids but has the chops to teach the craft. Every experience your child has while growing up can contribute to his becoming a happy, well-adjusted adult, so make sure you find someone who is going to support you both on that road.

Headshots: Find the Perfect Photographer

Getting your picture taken really shouldn’t be as painful as your first haircut at the barber. Your headshot is one of the most important tools in your kit. This is what gives someone an initial impression about who you are and gets you the attention you are looking for. Your photo needs to look like you on a good day. The hair and make-up should resemble you and the person looking at the picture should want to meet you. With hundreds of photographers out there how do you choose the right one for you?

1. Find someone whose style you like. Get recommendations from industry professionals and other actors. Check out the photographer’s website or portfolio to make sure you like their artistic style. Meet with or talk to him or her to make sure you “click.” In order to get the best picture possible, you need to be completely comfortable with your photographer on the day of your shoot. Even a really great photographer will not be able to get the best shot if you aren’t completely open.

I asked Suzannah Gold, a headshot photographer in Westport, Ct., her thoughts on this subject. She says, “Trust your feelings. If you feel excited and have a good connection with the photographer and feel like they get you….they will get you and you will know it. You will be able to be yourself and the photographer will capture something true and real about you. It’s one thing to look like your picture. It’s another to get a picture that captures what you can’t see – a feeling about you that will have the director, agent, manager or casting director excited to meet you.”

2. Love how you look. If you love how you look, you will be present, excited, and feel good about yourself. This makes it much easier for the photographer to capture your essence. A key ingredient to getting a good shot is how the make-up is done. Don’t do it yourself unless you know what you are doing. If you work with a makeup artist, be sure to use your own makeup that you know works for you. If you don’t feel comfortable with the way your makeup or hair looks, ask the artist or photographer to work with you until you absolutely love it. Don’t settle for shots you do not like.

3. Pricing. Headshots range from $99 to $1000 for a photo shoot. Going with the least expensiveoption may save you money up front, but if you don’t get the quality shot you need, it will be a waste of your money and time since you’ll just have to reshoot. It may not be necessary to go with the most expensive option either. It’s like choosing a bottle of wine – it doesn’t always have to cost the most for it to be good. Sometimes it’s just a matter of trial and error.

4. Ask Questions. Here are some questions to ask a prospective photographer:

How many shots do you take?

How many images will I get for the price of the shoot?

Do you shoot with studio or natural lighting?

What clothing should I bring?

Do you provide a hair and makeup person? Is this included in the fee?

Do you do the retouching?

If I am not happy with the results will you reshoot?

Finding a good photographer is one of the most important decisions you will make for your career. Do your research, choose wisely, and remember to be professional, courteous, and cooperative. This will help the photographer get the best shot possible. You will be so happy to have pictures you love!

When Does a Young Actor Need a Manager?

As a former talent manager, acting coach, and mentor to my students, the importance of good representation is always at the top of my list. There are two types of representation for actors: an agent and a manager. Some actors have only an agent, some a manager, and some both. A question I am often asked is, “How do I know if my child needs a manager?” Knowing the difference between an agent and a manager is a good place to start.

A talent agent in New York or California is licensed by the state and their job is to solicit employment for their clients. They are franchised by the union and are generally limited to taking a 10 percent commission on money earned from employment. Agents can have a small or large number of clients. They use their eye for talent and their resources to get an actor into an audition and secure a job as well as negotiating contracts. Actors are usually signed to a one-year contract and have a 90-day “out clause” if there are no auditions within that time.

A manager cultivates a career. They counsel, advise, and provide career direction and guidance. They generally have fewer clients than an agent, which enables them to give more personalized attention to their clients. Managers take anywhere from 10–20 percent commission and usually sign a client to a three-year contract. A benefit to working with a manager is that while a client is signed with them, they can freelance with several agents, thereby having access to more auditions. An actor can also have a manager and work exclusively with one agent.

So how do you know when your child needs a manager? I usually recommend a manager when a young performer is just starting out or has a career that needs to be managed.

Perhaps your child cannot get an agent. If a manager believes in your child this may be a good place to start. As your child enters the business you will have a lot of questions and concerns. A manager offers support and guidance in the beginning of a professional career. A good manager will communicate with you effectively, help you find reputable photographers, teachers, and coaches, review your photo proofs, push for auditions, and introduce you to potential agents to round out the team. As a personal talent manager, I read with my clients before auditions (it helped that I was a trained teacher) and even taped them in my office where we had the luxury of re-taping until we were satisfied. I did a lot of handholding for both parents and kids and encouraged them when times got tough.

Managers can also be instrumental for a working young performer. They shape careers because of the intimate nature of their job. Representing talent is much more than just booking a gig. Reading scripts, packaging deals, setting career goals, introducing a client to the right people, getting more specific, tailored auditions, and working in tandem with a publicist to help market a career are all some of the ways in which a manager can support a successful young performer. On the flip side, if a young actor has a good agent who can handle a career in this way he may not need a manager.

Finding out what’s right for your child is a process of which you can only be certain once you get started. Whether or not your child has an agent or a manager, if their representation is caring, supportive, and believes in their ability and potential, success will follow.

9 Ways to Prepare Young Actors for Pilot Season

Pilot season is here. It is a nutty time of year when hoards of child and adult actors invade Southern California in the hopes of getting a big break on television. Traffic is crazy, managers and agents don’t have time to breathe, and temporary housing becomes scarce. Although many television shows are cast throughout the year these days, pilot season, running roughly January through April, remains busy with 100-150 broadcast and cable pilots cast and filmed.

If you feel prepared and ready to take your chance when the director says “action,” here are a few tips to make your pilot season a success:

1. Call a team meeting. Now is the time for you and your parents to meet with your agent and manager to seek their advice. Make sure they will actively promote you if you decide to pursue auditions during the season. If your rep is on the East Coast and you will be heading out west, find out if they have a West Coast office to serve you. I do not recommend that unsigned actors head out for pilot season in the hopes of landing an agent when they arrive. Many agents are too busy to schedule meetings with new actors at this time.

2. Choose East or West. Decide where you will be based. According to FilmL.A., roughly half of the pilots made during the season are shot in L.A. New York comes in second and may be a viable option if you live on the East Coast. There are also pilots produced in smaller cities, though the number in any one outside New York and Los Angeles may be limited.

3. Define your goals. There is no guarantee of landing a role in a pilot. It is a competitive business. Be prepared to consider your season a success having only gained audition experience, new skills, and a better appreciation for the business of show biz. It is often the perspective and skills you develop early in your career that lead to success in the future.

4. Put thought into relocating. Temporarily relocating for pilot season requires a significant financial and organizational commitment. It is necessary to secure temporary housing convenient enough to deal with last-minute callback auditions and a rental car to navigate the traffic getting there. School-eligible children will need to continue their education in a way that is acceptable to their local school if they are to work as an actor in either California or New York. Before relocating, it is also best to obtain the required state work permit and trust account for a child actor.

5. Keep healthy. If you head out to chase your dream, take care to exercise common sense, patience, good humor, and self care. Maintain good health and find effective ways to deal with stress. Without good planning, it’s not easy to eat right or keep your sanity when dealing with traffic in an unfamiliar city, while on your way to the third audition of the day.

6. Sharpen your skills. Don’t wait until the day before your audition to meet with your acting coach. Work with your coach to help you develop the best approach for different show formats such as one-hour dramas, half-hour situation comedies, animated productions, Nickelodeon/Disney, and sketch comedy. For example, child actors will want to understand what the casting director wants when he calls for “big” and “over the top” while auditioning for Disney or Nickelodeon, or what pacing and timing is all about. In addition, enroll in workshops and ongoing classes. On-camera and improvisation workshops are solid training for whatever auditions are thrown your way.

7. Have the proper materials and equipment. Quality electronic and hardcopy headshots and resumes are required materials for any working actor. Have them ready before the season starts. In addition, be prepared to submit video auditions with little notice. Adequate video for audition purposes can be taken on most high quality smartphones or consumer cameras mounted on a tripod. Shoot the video in a quiet room with a blank wall and sufficient lighting. Open a Hightail account, formerly YouSendIt, or DropBox to submit the video files; most videos are too large to email. Make sure not to post your audition on your public website or YouTube channel unless it is password protected. Many projects are not meant to be viewed by the public in the preproduction stage. Violating that policy is likely to cost you the part.

8. Look for other opportunities. Projects such as commercials, films, episodic television, voice-overs, and theater are cast during pilot season and year round. While seeking roles on a pilot, look for these opportunities too. They can provide valuable experience, exposure, and compensation.

9. Remember that it’s OK for kids to pass, sometimes. Pilot season is a wonderful adventure, but it is also hard work. I advise young actors to follow-through on every commitment they make and every callback they get. However, there are times when it is best to let an opportunity go by and head to the zoo, Disneyland, or the beach instead. Avoid exhausting young actors by scheduling downtime with the same commitment as you give to following through on acting opportunities.

This pilot season appears to be getting underway a bit early; my clients have already had some auditions and are preparing for what promises to be a busy and productive season. With the proper preparation, support, and attitude, your season will have the best opportunity to be busy and productive too.

3 Ways to Prepare Young Actors for Success

“I BOOKED THE JOB! I booked the job! I’m so excited! Now what do I do?” Be prepared when opportunity strikes by building these three tips into your everyday life and you will be ready to make your next job a success. 

1. Increase your skill set. Young actors often perform comedy in roles for sitcoms, film, theater, and commercials. Though we all have had funny moments, it is actually hard to be funny. It takes timing, honesty, and a unique way of appreciating life’s crazy moments. The best place to learn these skills and many others is in an on-going acting class—you won’t learn them in a weekend workshop, while preparing for an audition, or after you have landed a role in your first pilot. Classes provide guided instruction and practice in the same way it is necessary to work with a music teacher to learn the violin. It would be foolish to go straight to the violin recital without instruction and practice; don’t make the same mistake with your audition. Go to class to learn the craft and expand your skill set. 

2. Get organized. Young actors and their families are often overwhelmed when they wait until landing a role to develop a system that supports schoolwork, acting, personal, and family commitments. Avoid burnout by organizing and coordinating schedules through a shared family calendar, such as Google Calendar, that can be accessed from any smartphone. Coordinating in this way gets young performers to be much more thoughtful about what they do with their time and makes it possible for families to manage priorities—both of which are essential skills to making it as a happy and well-balanced working actor. 

3. Practice collaboration. Although we practice monologues all the time for auditions, there are very few solo shows in which to perform them. Acting is largely a collaborative art performed in scenes with other actors. While this is obvious, the skills to perform collaboratively are not always obvious to young actors. First, acting is about truth; you cannot be collaborative unless you truly practice it. Get to acting class early to help set up chairs or volunteer for community service, for example. Second, practice exceptional listening skills when acting in scene work. You cannot receive from your partner unless you are truly listening. Always notice how your partner sounds and looks, and adapt your response appropriately. That will help you give the director what he wants: a natural performance. 

Be ready when you hear these words, “Congratulations! You have landed the role and you are a real working actor!” Do not overlook the commitment and preparation to successfully work in the industry as many aspiring young actors initially do. You learn these skills by proactively trying them and experimenting. So, try them out and I’ll see you in acting class. By the way, come early to set up the chairs.

3 Reasons to Support Your Child’s Acting Dreams

“Help, my son wants to be an actor! Can’t I talk him out of it?” No, and why would you want to? You are so lucky your child has a passion that gets him out of bed each day. So many kids flounder because they haven’t found that “something special” that motivates them. Statistics show that most child actors won’t end up pursuing acting as adults, but there are still countless benefits they can gain as they make the journey.

A parent who recently brought her daughter to me for a consultation was concerned about all the negative effects the business has on a child, with the prospect of having to face rejection at the forefront.Rejection is part of life. Why not look at it as learning life’s lessons early on? Out of her fear and just plain not knowing, this mom was trying to do everything she could to sabotage her daughter’s dreams. I pointed out to her the many positive assets this business has to offer her child – building self esteem and confidence, learning how to speak in public, social interaction, risk-taking, listening skills, independence and responsibility, improved reading skills, and learning to think on your feet. After hearing these things, she left my studio excited to give her child a chance at pursuing her dream.

1. Acting builds self-confidence. I have taught countless shy introverts as well as kids who were afraid to get up in front of others for fear they weren’t pretty enough, talented enough, funny enough, or even smart enough. One of my students, who is now the associate director of graduate studies and lecturer on physics at Harvard University, attributes his teaching success to his acting and improvisational training. Some of my former students have gone on to pursue professional careers as actors while many others are successful in their chosen careers as chefs, journalists, teachers, business execs, theater company producers, casting directors, and many others. The one thing they all have in common is self-confidence.

2. Acting opens doors to other careers in the entertainment industry. Many of my colleagues in casting, management, teaching, producing, and directing were all actors. We all studied theater in the hopes of the big acting career. At some point in my journey – my late twenties to be exact – when I wanted more stability and financial security, I took the leap to the other side of the business. My acting training and love of theater has enabled me to have a happy and thriving career in the entertainment industry. My parents have no more regrets that I was a theater major; it now makes sense.

3. Some children choose acting because they have no other choice. It’s in their DNA. They act because they have to. Nothing else will satisfy them and fill them up the way getting on stage or in front of a camera does. If they have a choice, they will find it. Until then, support them! Don’t stand in your child’s way of self-empowerment, happiness, success, and becoming the best they can be.

I hope this has given you some food for thought if you have a child who longs to pursue acting. I would be happy to answer any questions you might have, so please leave a comment below and let me know your biggest concerns. Or, if you have already gone through this as a parent, I’d love to hear what made you decide to go ahead and support your child as they followed their acting dreams.