6 Ways for Young Performers to Obtain Representation

If your child is hungry for a life in show business, getting representation is the next step to a budding career. But how does one obtain representation? It seems like a daunting task in an incredibly competitive industry. Luckily, there are many ways in which a child can gain industry attention to secure a rep. 

In a production. It is always best to be seen in action. Agents and managers generally frequent theatrical productions, as they are always on the hunt for new talent. If your child is serious about acting professionally, make sure he is involved in school plays, community theater, and even regional theater. Reps are always looking for a child who has potential. 

Industry showcases. Industry showcases are the perfect opportunity for young performers to gain industry attention. This is an event in which agents, managers, and casting directors watch actors perform exclusively for them. Actors perform scenes, monologues, songs, and even read commercial copy. If a rep responds to the actor, they will arrange a meeting and possibly sign on a new client. Even if your child doesn’t sign with an agent or manager, they might keep their name on file to be seen again in the future. 

Workshops and classes. Many acting workshops and classes will culminate with an informal performance for an agent or manager. These are generally for educational purpose where your child will practice in audition-like settings. However, if an agent or manager sees promise in a performer, they might ask for their name to set up an interview. 

Old-fashioned mailings. Years ago agents and managers primarily gained clients through headshots and résumés mailed to them by hopeful performers. Make sure you have a great photo that looks like your child and a résumé detailing your child’s experience and training. Get a list of agents and managers who work with young performers through CallSheet and send a hard copy to them with a short cover letter. If you live outside of the big industry cities, call your local SAG-AFTRA office to get the names of reputable agents and managers.

Referrals. Perhaps you have a friend who is signed with an agency or management company. Ask them for a referral. This can get your name in the door faster than mailing lists (because they can ask questions and gain a sense of who you are from a person they’ve already trusted to sign as a client). 

Your coaches. Your acting or voice teacher can also refer you to a rep, as they have the contacts and a trusted relationship with many of them. I never pass up an opportunity to send one of my promising young students to one of my colleagues if I believe they are ready to work. Since the young actor has been vetted by me, the rep is more apt to respond. I have introduced many of my students to both agents and managers and they have continued on to have incredibly successful careers. 

There are so many ways for your child to be seen by industry professionals. What is most important during this time is to stay involved in theater and performance opportunities while continuing with ongoing training. Passion is at the heart of any career, and it’s important to keep your child’s love of performance at the center of your journey.

How Child Actors Can Get Work in Atlanta & Florida

When you have an intersection of talent, type, luck, and opportunity, you land roles. Many people think that the only opportunities are in New York or Los Angeles, but that’s just not true. The southeast has never been busier for young actors who are looking to build their resumes. Georgia, Florida, and North Carolina are really hot right now for television and films, and it’s not uncommon for a young actor to get multiple credits very quickly in this bursting-at-the-seams market.

I spoke with Lisa Mae Fincannon, CSA with Fincannon & Associates, Inc. who has offices in Georgia and North Carolina. “With the implementation of tax incentives for production, the southeast has grown dramatically. We need performers, including minors. This area of the country has a reputation for kids who are ‘real,’ who have maintained their small-town values and love of the world. Because of the core values taught in the south, young actors breathe a spirit of truth and joy that feels very real. The geography, the dirt from which these kids hail, infuses them with an ability to be unaffected and maintain a realism that is special.”

Whether or not you live in the southeast, you can take advantage of the opportunities there and increase your child actor’s chances of obtaining work when you follow these steps: 

1. Get a local agent.
Although many projects are cast out of New York and Los Angeles, agents there don’t always cover the south. Getting a local agent in the southeast will give you local casting opportunities not afforded to those outside.

Barbara Agozzino from the Stellar Talent Agency in South Florida said, “I am very excited that we are seeing a lot of new projects for kids and teens in the south Florida market. When looking for talent, I seek diversity and actors who have had some experience, whether they have done local theater/independent films or training with acting coaches and schools. I also do look at fresh faces and talent who have a passion and drive to succeed in this wonderful yet competitive business.”

READ: How to Get an Acting Agent in Atlanta

2. Train.
No matter what market you’re in, talent wins out! Take classes in acting, on-camera work, and improvisation. You will be cast off of tapes most of the time. According to agent Terri Dollar of Kids Unlimited in Raleigh, NC, “If casting a very young actor, we look for the ability to sit still, focus, and look at us directly. We look for excellent reading skills—which we determine is the #1 best determiner of potential for casting for a child actor age 5 to 10…. Reading above grade level is almost essential to success.

“If we are casting for older actors for our agency we look at the resume. If an 18-year-old girl comes to us with no acting experience, she would have to be incredibly unique to be cast as she would be competing against more experienced actors. We always look for the magic—that spark—that likability that makes you want to know more about any actor we agree to represent.”

3. Network.
Do the legwork. Don’t wait for your rep to call you. One of my teen girls has no representation. This makes her hungrier to do the work herself. She recently submitted herself for several projects through Backstage and other online sites and just booked a television pilot in her local southern market.

4. Stay well-rounded.
Many recent projects cast in the southeast—like “The Walking Dead” and “The Originals”—require stage combat or martial arts training. Special skills are always valuable. Casting doesn’t always require you to be the best actor in the room, but if you have the skills required for the part, you just may land it.

READ: 5 Tips for Effective Networking in Atlanta

5. Be flexible. 
Agent Terri Dollar in North Carolina also says, “It's super easy for our actors to tape themselves at least for the first round and then either travel to Georgia for the callback or even get cast from tape alone. Actors must be flexible and ready to travel in a flash. This ability to make things happen is paramount in a young actor's success, and much of that comes from the flexibility of the parents.”

6. Be patient and have fun.
It just may not be possible for you to move to a big city. Embrace where you are right now and look for local opportunities to help build success. What’s most important is holding on to the dream and finding things to do in the meantime that empower you and help you enjoy life. After all, that’s what it’s all about.

10 Ways to Enhance Your Child’s Skill Set

A creative career requires constant exploration and discovery. For young professionals, the routine of schoolwork, auditions, and meetings can get stale. There are so many wonderful opportunities available to young performers, and I recommend to all of my students to take advantage of them. Whether it’s taking a new class, or a DIY at home, here are 10 ways your child can spice up their professional routine and learn valuable skills along the way.

1. Enroll him in an improv class. Improvisation is a skill that will reap benefits in every area of a person’s life. It improves listening, teaches you to create a common objective with a partner, and allows you to let go. Improv will help your child learn to play with others and say yes to his instincts. It is also a valuable skill for commercials where a director can ask your child to do silly things, like pretend an onion is his best friend.

2. Challenge her to learn a new dialect. Adding skills to your child’s résumé is a key factor to getting her noticed by industry professionals. Learning dialects trains your child’s ears similar to music. An added bonus: It exposes her to new cultures and creates opportunities for learning experiences.

3. Inspire her to memorize a new monologue. It’s always good to have multiple monologues performance-ready, because in this industry, you never know what an audition may require. Working on monologues exercises all of those important acting muscles, and it’s important to keep them strong as your child is growing.

4. Work on a tough audition song. Maybe there’s a song that your child’s always loved but hasn’t had the time to devote to mastering it. Encourage her to spend a few minutes a day listening to the music and practicing it with her voice teacher during lessons. There’s nothing more satisfying than conquering a power ballad or new a comedy number.

5. Encourage him to spend quality time with his script. Remind your child that the learning doesn’t end when he leaves his coach’s studio. The desire for improvement has to come from your child. Even if he sets aside 10 minutes a day or an hour a week, the progress he will make by analyzing his script and exploring his character’s objective will transform your child’s acting.

6. Have her keep a journal of her experiences. Your child has a job most people only dream of having! Encourage her to write down the incredible experiences she has. Hard work and rejection are a part of the business. Giving your child a space to flesh out her feelings is one of the greatest gifts you can give her. It reminds her of her worth, and allows her to explore her passion for her craft in a private space.

7. Reflect on auditions in the car ride home. Some auditions go fabulously, others…not so much. That’s part of the job! Always keep an open dialogue with your child and reflect on the positives of the audition. Ask him what he thinks went well and what he can improve on. Celebrate your child’s accomplishments and remind him how proud you are that he pursues his dreams.

8. See live theater! There’s no greater joy in my life than seeing professionals excel in their craft. Theater gives her the opportunity to see her profession from a technical standpoint, but more importantly, it gives your child an opportunity to reaffirm her dreams. For all performers, live theater is a reminder to them of why they do what they do.

9. Encourage him to have fun outside of performing. Performing is your child’s passion, but for young professionals, it is also a job. It is so important for you to encourage your child’s other passions. The friends he’ll make in horseback riding or lacrosse are just as essential to building his character as his relationships are with his co-stars. The skills he’ll develop will help shape him into a thoughtful and talented adult.

10. Play, play, play. Your child is a creative soul. Even when this industry gets tough and auditions don’t seem to pay off, remember to celebrate the fact that your child is working on a dream. There’s bravery in that. Remind your child that her dreams aren’t validated by the number of roles she’s booked, but by the passion she pursued and the skills she’s developed along the way. Always remind your child to never stop playing.

How Young Actors Can Play Emotional Scenes

As an acting teacher for young actors, parents frequently ask if I can help their child cry on cue. Having once been a young actress myself, I thought this skill was the key to being a good actor. I believed it was a complicated technique that only the most skilled and talented had mastered. 

Then during a college lecture with actress Jean Marsh as the guest, she was asked about crying on cue. In her very British accent, she responded, “I just turn around and poke myself in the eye.” It was then that I realized it was pretty simple. Simple, yes, but not easy.

Emotions like sadness and anger may come naturally for some, but for many young actors, producing real emotion is an acquired skill. It’s not the real tears that are of concern—that’s what glycerin drops are for. Rather, it’s finding and applying the honest emotional life of the character.

There’s a term in the industry called “indicating,” which is when an actor plays a scene showing but not connecting to the emotional life of the character. Good actors communicate real emotions, not pretend ones. But remember that preparing for an emotionally challenging scene can be deeply personal, so you’ll want to make sure your child actor is going about it the right way. 

Here are some tips to help your child learn the necessary skills and let go of fake emoting habits.

Be physically open.  
All good acting classes begin with exercises to relax and physically open up the body and mind. Body constrictions will get in the way of emotions flowing freely and organically. Before auditioning or performing any scene that calls for emotions such as grief, rage, hatred, or jealousy, relax by doing some head and neck rolls, stretches and breathing exercises. Just a few deep breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth will relax the body and mind, helping you stay open to letting things happen naturally.

Have a strong preparation. 
You cannot play a scene emotionally empty. Once you identify what the character is feeling—mad, sad, lonely, etc.—connect with the emotion before the scene begins by using the “as if.” Ask yourself how you would feel if this were happening to you. Or what similar situation could you have faced in the past or imagine to be true that would feel as if you were going through the same thing? 

READ: 1 Exercise Child Actors Can Use to Get Into Character 

Music.  
As an actress during the 1980s, one of the ways I tapped into my character’s emotional life was through music. I would put my Walkman on and play a song that triggered a specific emotion and got me into the right mindset. Make a playlist on your phone with your favorite songs and different styles that you can use to stir up emotion.

Don’t push.  
If the scene calls for the character to be in tears and the tears won’t flow, don’t force it. If you are so concerned with how you are going to cry it probably won’t happen. Connect internally, relax and stay open. And of course, don’t forget the advice of Ms. Marsh: turn around and poke yourself in the eye if you have to. What’s most important is honest vulnerability, not something fabricated.

How Auditioning is Just Like Dating

Have you kissed a lot of frogs lately? How many dates do you have to go on to find “the one”?

I’m currently exploring the world of online dating and have found a surprising parallel: first dates are a lot like auditions. Whether you’re looking for a role you love or the next love of your life, you have to go on lots of auditions before you find the perfect fit. Online dating, auditioning, or both, these tips offer valuable information you can use in either situation!

You can’t control the outcome. 
When you go on a first date, you only know the basics: height, age, whether they like dogs, etc. Auditions are also big unknowns. An actor often walks into an audition with basic information and is asked to perform without knowing much about the context. Just like hoping “he’s the one,” this is scary, exciting, and a fact of life for actors. Sometimes all you can do is show up to the audition—or the date—ready to be your best.

A good photo is your calling card. 
Your photo is the first step in getting someone’s attention. Having an up-to-date, flattering photo is essential for both attracting dates and those in the entertainment industry. Your headshot will be reviewed by casting directors, potential agents, and managers. Be sure it portrays you at your best but isn’t airbrushed or faked in any way. People want to see the real you!

READ: 7 Tips for a Better Headshot

Be your unique yourself. 
Told a little white lie about how you love to rock climb and now find yourself in a harness and safety helmet on a date? What about fibbing and listing stage combat as a special skill on your actor resume only to find yourself asked to spar with someone during an audition?

In both dating and auditioning, you need to be your unique, perfect self. No matter how talented and amazing a performer you may be, casting choices are often based on arbitrary traits. Your job is to show up ready to audition honestly with your unique interpretation of the material.

Remember that they want it to work out, too.
He shares your interests, is adorable, smart, and witty. You like this guy already, but now you’re worried he won’t feel the same way and you work yourself into a negative spiral before the first date even happens.

News flash! He wants you to be the one, too. It’s the same way in auditions; no one wants you to fail. Casting directors are on your side, hoping that you’ll be perfect for the part. You don’t need to fear them.

Stop trying and let it go. 
My mother tells me love will happen when I least expect it. I think she’s right. Your next part will come along in the same mysterious way. Stop trying so hard. Yes, you need to study your lines, work with your coach, and understand the character. Preparation is always important. However, try to relax and enjoy the process. The sooner you can let go of disappointment over a lost role, the sooner you can move on to the next audition.

READ: 10 Attitudes That Keep Actors From Working

It’s great practice. 
Last month, I went on what felt like a million dates and sometimes I really just felt like giving up. But then I remember my 98-year-old aunt telling me, “Just keep going, it’s good practice for when the right one comes along.” And she’s right: I learn more about myself with every first date.

The same is true for auditioning. Each time you audition, you have the opportunity to learn more about yourself and your craft. Pay attention and keep notes on all you’re learning. The information will be very helpful.

Don’t give up before it happens. 
I dated a lot in my twenties. Just when I thought I might never meet the one, I met my husband. We had a nice long run (although I’m back on the market again). Just like dating, the odds of landing a role are pretty slim. There are often hundreds of actors answering the call for an audition, yet only one will be cast. Every actor faces the same overwhelming odds and the likelihood of rejection. That means you might have to go on 50 first auditions and get hundreds of rejections for every part you do land. Just remember that every “no” gets you that much closer to a “yes.” Actors are rejected many times before finding the right role at the right time with the right people. Success comes to those who stay positive and continue auditioning with confidence.

16 (More) Terms for Parents of Child Actors

Last month, I offered up some useful terminology as it relates to auditions and scripts for child actors. Here, I address some of the daunting terms related to contracts, finances, and union matters. Hopefully, it will help you feel more confident when you’re meeting with an industry professional, in an audition with your child, or on a theater, film, or television set.

Commissions: Percentage of a performer’s earnings which are paid to an agent or manager for their services.

Coogan account: Named after child actor Jackie Coogan, this is a blocked minor trust account required by law for all performers under the age of eighteen in the states of California, New York, Louisiana, and New Mexico, designed to safeguard 15% of their gross earnings per project for when they enter adulthood.

Emancipated Minor: When a child under the age of 18 has been given the legal status of an adult by a judge.

Equity: Actors Equity Association (AEA) is the union governing live theatrical productions.

First Refusal: A non-contractual courtesy situation requesting that a performer notifies the casting director before accepting a booking for another job on the same day.

Hold (On Hold): A contractual obligation for a performer to be available for work.

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

Local hire: An actor hired locally for a production, which eliminates costs for travel, housing, and per diem.

Must Join: If it has been 30 days since your first SAG/AFTRA booking, you MUST join the union before your next union job.

Principal: A performer with lines or with significant importance to the story line. 

Residual: The fee paid to a performer for subsequent showings of a commercial, film, or TV program.

Right-to-work states: Those states that do not have an agreement between unions and performers meaning you don’t have to join the union to get a job.

SAG/AFTRA: Screen Actors Guild/Actors Federation of Television and Radio Artist, the union governing television, radio, and film productions.

Scale: The minimum payment for services under union contracts.

Scale + 10: Minimum payment plus an extra 10% to cover the agent’s commission.

READ: Should You Manage Your Child's Career?

Series regular: An actor in a role in a TV series appearing in most if not all of the episodes.

Taft-Hartley: A federal statute which allows a 30-day grace period after an actor’s first day of employment before being required to join the Union.

U-5 (or Under 5): A role with “under five lines.”

Work permit: Issued by a state or local agency, a required legal document allowing a minor child under the age of eighteen to work on creative or artistic projects.

Now you have a general overview of the key terms you’ll hear regularly in legal and contractual discussions. However, if you don’t understand something, be sure to ask for clarification. It’s important that you’re clear on things so you can be the best support you can be for your child actor.

When Does a Young Performer Need an Entertainment Attorney?

For parents of working actors, the entertainment industry may seem like a lot of smoke and mirrors. While there are plenty of mirrors in show business, your child’s legal rights should not be one of them. Parents often ask me when, if at all, is there a right time to hire an entertainment attorney. I have plenty of students who have entertainment attorneys, and plenty who do not. Let’s discuss the right times to hire an attorney to protect your young performer.

Getting representation. Your child has caught the attention of an agent or manager. Congratulations! As an acting coach and career consultant, I have clients from all over work with well-respected and vastly talented agents and managers. I have also had clients approached by talent reps that I would not recommend. Although they may present a legal document, the contract may embroil your child into years of their representation and could potentially freeze or ruin your child’s career if they decide to pursue other options. Any time your child enters a contractual agreement, I would advise an entertainment lawyer to look over the legal obligations and wording of the agreement.

Once you are signed. Once you have a trusting relationship with a talent agency or manager, it is not necessary to use an entertainment lawyer for every contract your child enters. A good agency will negotiate contracts and have your child’s back in all stages of production. Almost every large talent agency has an in-house legal department that handles contracts and the negotiation process. You are not charged for these services because the legal team is there to represent the agency-specific deals—which include actors’ contracts. Even smaller agencies and managers have regular contact with entertainment attorneys, so you can be well assured that your child’s contracts are fair and legal.

Working in the business. Once your child begins to work in bigger productions and gain recognition, you may want to think about an entertainment attorney as a part of your child’s team. They will give personalized attention and negotiate contracts that best serve their clients. They will also inform you of industry norms and make sure your child is protected on set. When your child is constantly working, it is crucial for parents to understand your child’s working conditions. Skilled in the nuances of performers’ rights, an entertainment attorney will advise you of your child’s legal rights regarding their pay, education, and labor laws. They will inform you of your rights as a parent, including sight and sounds laws, hiring a “responsible person,” and money questions. Entertainment attorneys explain, in layman’s terms, rules that can have potentially monumental costs and consequences to a family if enforced. When handling long production periods and large sums of money, an entertainment attorney can inform you of the legal benefits and drawbacks to such big decisions.

Deciding when to hire an entertainment attorney is a complex question, with no one right answer for everyone. Ultimately, the best decision is what makes financial and legal sense for your child and family. It is important to find an attorney whom you respect and trust. Your entertainment attorney is there to protect the interests of your child in an unbiased setting, as they do not fill the shoes of an agent/manager. For more information on the legality of show business, check out Sally R. Gaglini’s book, “Young Performers at Work.” As a top entertainment attorney for young performers, Gaglini’s book provides a deep knowledge of entertainment law to inform and protect you and your family. 

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

If your child is passionate about acting, you know it. They’re regularly performing around the house, to real or imaginary audiences. They’re talking about movies and plays and asking how they can star in them. When there is a play at school or in the community, they’re the first to volunteer for a “big part.” They sparkle on stage or in front of a classroom, perhaps even getting into trouble for being the class clown. If there is a spotlight anywhere nearby, your child wants to be in it.

In my years of experience working with young actors, their passion for the craft of acting is unmistakable. Children with the dream choose acting because they have no other choice. It’s in their blood, in their DNA. They act because they must. Nothing else satisfies them and fills them up the way getting on stage or in front of a camera does.

If your child is in a local theater group, trying out for the school play, looking at actors on TV and saying, “I want to do that! How do I do that?” then you know that they are passionate about acting.

Is That Passion Consistent? 

Most children tell their parents, “I want to be on TV,” or “I want to be an actor,” at least once in their childhood, because, after all, acting seems like a fun game of make-believe. What child doesn’t love that? However, acting is a challenging business that requires hard work and sacrifice. It’s important to evaluate the consistency of your child’s passion. Is it just a passing interest or something deeper? 

When your child constantly talks about performing or wanting to be on a TV show or in movies, you can tell that they’re very interested in acting. If they mention it once or just in passing, their level of interest might not be sufficient to lead to success in the long term. As you’re evaluating your child’s level of interest in performing, don’t just listen to what they’re saying, but watch what they’re doing. If your child is doing some of the following things, it might indicate that acting is their dream:

• Auditioning for the school play

• Trying out for community theater

• Making up skits and performing for friends and family

• Asking for additional opportunities to act and audition

• Asking for an agent

• Getting excited at the prospect of taking an acting class

• Searching for opportunities to act and bringing them to you, especially as a teenager These indicate that your child’s interest in acting isn’t just a passing phase but a genuine interest and passion.

The Essential Characteristics Your Child Needs to Land an Agent

A good agent opens doors to auditions, so I’m not surprised that one of the first questions I am asked by parents is, “How can my child get an agent?” Talent agents know how to identify kids with the most potential, and in order to maximize your child’s chances you should know what those factors are. While some characteristics are out of your control, there are some that aren't.

Self-Motivation
David Gilbert, of Zuri Model and Talent Agency, says, “Most importantly, I always ask the kid if this is something they want to do. I want to make sure they're not being pushed into it.” There are two types of parent-child teams: Those led by the parent’s agenda, and those led by the child’s. Most young performers who rise to prominence are driving their own careers, with parents who help them get things done. Nancy Carson, of the Carson Adler Agency, agrees, saying, “I want kids who really want to do this, the kid who drags his parent into the office, not the other way around. ”

The “Wow” Factor
There will always be an intangible aspect to stardom. Charisma is hard to define, but we all know it when we see it. As Bonnie Shumofsky, of Abrams Artists, says, “I believe identifying young talent is a process. As in many professions, there is a combination of the so-called art and science. The science aspect is what is tangible. The art, however, is having an eye for what I call the “wow” factor. It may be from a performance I see or even just a conversation during a meeting. It is very hard to put this piece of the process into words and as with most art, it’s more a measure of sensing and being in tune with the emotional impact generated by a young artist. That’s what I look for.” The agent will be evaluating your child’s personality at all times, looking for the sparkle that only a diamond has.

Confidence
There is no substitute for confidence. It affects everything about a person’s demeanor—face, voice, body language—and every interaction. David Gilbert says, “I am always looking for someone who is going to ‘win the room’—when they walk into my office, they’ve got to have confidence. Also, they’ve got to be directable, able to make adjustments on the spot.” When a young performer believes in himself, he not only makes a great impression, but he is better able to respond to unexpected situations such as taking direction during an audition or taping. Being self-assured puts people at ease, inspiring confidence in the agent or director—and transmits to an audience, too! It is something that can be developed over time with experience, yet we can also dig deep and project more confidence than we might feel at the moment.

Marketability
Barry Kolker, of Carson Kolker Organization, knows there has to be a market for each young performer in his stable. “When signing children and teen performers, I look for a ‘type’ that I need, so that I don’t have ‘conflicts’ and submit too many clients.” This is often a matter of timing, so keep in mind that while your child’s “look” might not be in demand today, things may change tomorrow. It could also mean that one agent already represents someone with this particular “type,” but there will be other agents who are looking to fill the same spot in their roster. Persevere. Markets are fluid and young performers evolve as they grow up, so over time they will find themselves positioned differently depending on many factors.

Parental Support
Kolker goes on to say, “I look for talented kids/teens with a lot of personality who have a passion for performing and whose parent or guardian is able to make the commitment. I’m looking for a family who I feel will be easy to work with and that I feel/hope that we can be successful together!” Gilbert agrees, saying, “I want parents who support their child and are encouraging, who understand that their job is to be a good parent and mine is to be a good agent.” Certainly, as a stage parent, you can control how committed you are to supporting your child’s acting career. You are an important ingredient for success, and agents know it. Make sure they understand you are willing to do what it takes so that you all succeed in the end.

Can You Trust Your Child's Acting Coach?

The success of a performer comes from their training, motivation and passion. Just as in the Olympics, a qualified coach can make a great difference in your child’s training and ability to win roles. Acting coaches are experts in enhancing performance skills. They are well trained, highly skilled and know the industry inside-out.

To move forward as an actor and be able to portray roles with intimacy and authenticity, you must trust your coach. You are enlisting them for their knowledge and advice and then practicing what they preach. Acting is such a personal business. Both you and your child must trust your acting coach to create a safe environment for growth. The best way to find a coach you can trust is to evaluate his or her professional etiquette, experience, and ethical standards.

Acting coaches can hang up a shingle without a teaching license or certification. They may be skilled, creative, well trained and even a genius, but how moral and ethical are they? My students come to rely on me as a confidant and mentor as they bare their souls and become vulnerable. They speak their truths, insecurities and fears while they dig within to learn who they are and how that relates to the character they are portraying. It’s deep work and requires me to be careful with their emotional growth.

Students often ask me for guidance and advice. They also share their excitement and joy when they are being considered for a role or book a job. The first thing they say is, “You’re not going to tell anyone, right?” Confidentiality is important for production and it is equally important in relationships. A nine year old student of mine booked a job, and when I asked him what it was he replied,” I can’t tell you because I signed a nondisclosure.” He then coyly asked, “Mom, what does that mean?”

Recently, another student brought a monologue to me and made me swear I wouldn’t give it to anyone else. They trust me to maintain their privacy and to coach them to their very best level of performance.

READ: "How to Choose an Acting Teacher for Your Child"

In addition to being an acting coach I am also a certified life coach. I trained with a master level coach and completed a rigorous examination process in order to receive my certification. My life coach training gives me ethical guidelines and professional standards while establishing trust with the client in a safe, supportive environment that produces ongoing mutual respect and trust. These are the principles I follow as an acting coach. I work with many young students and their parents need to know their child is safe and I can be trusted.

When you are looking for a trustworthy acting coach for your child, consider these characteristics. Does your coach:

• Gossip?

• Take personal or monetary advantage of the client?

• Give misleading information or advice?

• Become sexually intimate with clients?

Or does your coach instead:

• Accurately identify their coaching qualifications, expertise and experience?

• Recognize personal issues that may interfere with their coaching performance?

• Report research with competency and honesty?

• Avoid conflicts of interest?

• Respect their clients’ rights to terminate coaching and not blacklist them?

• Maintain the strictest level of confidentiality?

Before committing to a coach, do your homework. Ask around for recommendations, check them out on the web, read testimonials and trust your gut. As a parent, you know your child best. If you feel that something is off in the relationship between your child and an acting coach, trust that feeling and explore other options.

When you trust your child’s acting coach, and your child does too, it removes fear and anxiety. Once that happens, a young actor can open up to do his or her best work. Developing the art of performance requires a tremendous amount from a young actor. A trustworthy, ethical and experienced coach makes a big impact on that process.