5 Florida Acting Programs All Young Actors Should Know

As an acting coach and teacher, I believe all young actors should train to enhance their skills and build self-esteem. And despite L.A. and New York seeming like the center of the acting universe, you don’t have to live in either place to get great training. 

As an actor, I got my start in Florida, and it’s a state that continues to be full of wonderful regional theaters and training programs for young actors. Work is plentiful with theater productions throughout the state, as well as film, TV, and commercial opportunities. If you’re looking for training for your young performer, here are five programs to check out:

The Maltz Jupiter Theatre’s Goldner Conservatory of Performing Arts
A professional school of arts education that offers year-round classes in acting, dance, playwriting, and vocal techniques, all taught by Broadway instructors and industry experts.

The Theatre’s Youth Artists’ Chair is a rigorous, three-month long theatrical mentorship of 18-20 high school students. Through this program, students receive graduate-level training at no cost to them in order to produce a full-scale production from start to finish. The Youth Touring Company, also offered at no charge, is comprised of 30 students who perform at over 85 events in the community. They showcase their talents and give back by volunteering their time at a wide range of venues. 

Finally, the Maltz Jupiter Theatre Professional Training Program is the only two-year training program in the state affiliated with a professional regional theater. Students train 35 hours per week in classes that include acting, voice and speech, musical theater styles, all forms of dance, music theory, Shakespeare, stage combat, career prep, and more. This competitive, audition-only program enrolls 10-16 students per class, enabling participating students to grow at an accelerated pace with extremely high classroom expectations.

Miami Children’s Theater
Established in 1996, Miami Children’s Theater (MCT) is one of the most prolific and experienced training grounds for young actors in South Florida. MCT believes that time on stage is the most valuable training tool—grads are well-known for their experience and professionalism as they enter the collegiate and professional theater world. Learning proper technique in all areas of musical theater is paramount to their philosophy, and with five alumni in featured roles on Broadway and dozens of MCT veterans attending the nation's finest performing arts colleges, it shows.

READ: How to Be the Best Advocate for Your Child Actor

StarCatcher Acting Studio  
Focused on acting for film and TV through scene study, program director Kia Riddick-Taylor says, “Any time you’re given a script, you’re getting prepared to go on a journey. A mysterious journey that starts with your willingness to explore with empathy, without judgment and, without attachment to the end result.

“Often students can lose focus because their desire to ‘book’ is greater than their desire to tell the truth. It’s understandable, we all want to succeed. That’s when I remind my students that writers go to great lengths to give characters truth. The words they write and the stories they create are the foundation of that truth. Your job as an actor is to breathe life into the words. To bring them to life with your imagination, experiences, perspective, and vulnerability.”

Orlando Repertory Theatre
Offering Youth Academy classes, camps, and productions year-round for students pre-K through 12th grade, the goal of Orlando REP’s programming is to develop life skills in young people through the performing arts. Youth Academy classes and camps offer students a fun place to explore their actor’s toolbox of the body, voice, and imagination through age-appropriate theater games, scene work, songs, and even technical theater.

Productions are fully produced shows with professional directors, designers, and crew. All camps conclude with a presentation for family and friends. Camps and productions are designed to foster self-confidence, creative thinking, analytical skills, team building, trust, and discipline through performing arts. These skills enable youth to grow into engaging individuals who build stronger communities through the arts.

Kim Houston’s The Casting Gym
A casting and recording studio for talent of all ages to practice auditions before going to them or preparing for an upcoming one. Staying sharp and fit in a competitive business is challenging—the Casting Gym provides results by “working out” in a real casting studio with mock casting sessions in commercials, TV, film, dance, music, vocals, improv, and voiceover. Membership is annual and affordable at $99.00 for the year. All on camera classes come with material to prepare for the casting session as well as a video to use for future training and marketing purposes.

Bonus Program: Since I don’t like cold weather, I’m excited to announce that I’ll be teaching acting foundation skills in the Orlando area for the month of February 2018. Stay tuned for more details!

4 Signs of an Unhealthy Relationship With Your Rep

There are times in every relationship when we wonder if things are still working well enough. Partnerships, people, and circumstances change over time, so it’s good to reassess periodically. If there has been stress or frustration when dealing with your representative, it may be time for a heart-to-heart talk. If after doing your best to work with someone, you find that you are still experiencing some of the following problems, it may be time to call it quits and move on. Here are four signs that your relationship with your rep has passed its expiration date.

1. Lack of communication. This is a red flag that could mean there are serious problems in the relationship. Even though managers and agents are usually very busy, most email or phone replies to you should be made within days, if not hours. If you are emailing or calling your rep and not hearing back in a timely fashion, it makes it challenging for them to serve your needs properly. This lack of attention may mean any number of things, but don’t assume you know the backstory. Instead, arrange one-on-one time to discuss the state of your partnership. Whether they no longer consider you to be a high priority or they are avoiding you for some reason, you deserve to know what is happening and whether or not things can be fixed. 

2. You fear them. Countless times, students have asked me if they should call their manager or they ask for my advice on what to do about an opportunity. These clients often feel intimidated by their reps and are afraid to ask the questions they need to ask. You should feel comfortable talking with your representative about your career! Granted, managers and agents are usually very busy working for you as well as their many other clients. The best agents tend to be very time-efficient and just need to be succinct. Be respectful of their time by preparing your questions in advance and doing as much legwork as you can before picking up the phone, but have confidence in your right to talk with them. If, however, you find that you are being treated disrespectfully or made to feel badly for bothering them, there may be a problem with the relationship. In order for you to get the most out of having a rep, communication needs to flow both ways. 

3. Does not support your vision. It’s important that your rep be on board with where you see your career going. You may want to focus on theater in New York but he wants you out in California working in television. Are you interested in working on your music, yet he keeps sending you out for acting-only opportunities? A disconnect like this will not move you in the direction you want to go. Talk with your rep about your goals and find out if he can get behind your vision of the future. The right rep will be a good partner who supports you as you pursue your performing arts goals.

4. Not a team player. Many actors will start out with an agent and then add a manager as things start to pick up speed. Sometimes, and this is common for young performers, you retain a manager and hope to make agent connections through them. Talk with your rep and find out her opinion on adding to the team. If she tells you to hold off because you are not ready and you trust her counsel, then perhaps you should wait. Sometimes, though, an agent prefers to maintain independent control over her performers’ careers and doesn’t want a manager to interfere. That agent may be putting herself before her clients and is not being a team player. If you have a healthy partnership with your agent, she will support your interest in adding to your team. Putting together a team that works well together from the start will help it function properly in the long run. 

Keep in mind, agents and managers are juggling many clients and responsibilities. You can help them help you by keeping up on your part: current pictures, updated résumés, and new skills. As with any relationship, good communication is key to maintaining a successful partnership.

How to Protect Your Child Actor From Industry Predators

Right now, the news and social media are full of reports about sexual harassment and abuse in the entertainment industry. Last week, the teens in my acting classes were discussing the news and what they would do in uncomfortable situations. It can be a scary issue, both for young actors and their parents.

Unfortunately, sexual abuse is a real issue, primarily when people in power use their authority to prey on the young or less powerful. Predators can lurk in all settings so it’s wise for parents to help their children—male and female—know how to recognize and respond to unwanted advances.

When I was a new talent rep in my twenties, I had a parent of an important client who consistently made lewd and inappropriate comments. I told my boss, my husband, and even talked to the parent, but the abuse continued. My choices were to endure his bad behavior or fire his talented son. I didn’t want to lose my job, so I sacrificed my self-esteem and tried to ignore his behavior. That was more than twenty years ago when sexual abuse was not discussed, and few options for help existed.

Thankfully, children today have an environment where speaking up against abuse is encouraged. The Casting Society of America put out a public statement condemning harassment in all forms with the slogan, “If you see something, say something.”  SAG- AFTRA urges members who experience or observe harassing or discriminatory behavior to call a 24-hour hotline at (844) 723-3773 or (323) 549-6644. Women in Film has a useful resource for female entertainment professionals.

It is essential for parents to teach and model healthy personal boundaries at home.  Begin by explaining what sexual harassment and abuse are, especially these key points.

Sexual harassment and abuse can:

• be physical, verbal, or emotional.

• happen to boys and girls.

• be committed by an adult or peer.

Teach your child to always come to you if they feel uncomfortable or harassed. Their bodies are their own and no one should touch them without consent.

If your child experiences harassment or sexual advances, they should go to someone in charge, such as the studio teacher/child welfare worker, director or assistant director, child wrangler or guardian, stage manager, or their agent or manager. Offer to help your child make this call and participate in any meetings. You can also ask to sit in on any private acting lessons or casting calls if your child feels uncomfortable.

Have a frank discussion with your young actor about the importance of self-respect and personal boundaries. Remind them that no role is more important than their safety. Teach them about manipulation and threats used to keep things secret so they can feel safe speaking up and reporting abusive behavior.

Watch for these red flags:

• Your intuition telling you that something isn’t right.

• An adult who seems too interested in your child, gives inappropriate gifts, or wants time alone with them.

• Threats of blacklisting for lack of cooperation made to either you or your young actor.

• Unwillingness to attend callbacks or acting classes without explanation or saying that they don’t want to talk about it.

Parents, take this opportunity to teach your young actors that they don’t need to compromise their boundaries to be successful in acting or any endeavor. It’s never a bad time to talk with your child about safety, boundaries, and how to report any unwanted behavior. Your goal is not to frighten your child, but to educate and pledge your support should they ever need help.

The things you teach your child today about sexual harassment and abuse can offer them protection for their entire lifetimes.

Kids + Teens: Why Your Phone May Be Sabotaging Your Acting Career

Child and teen actors, we’re here to teach you the essential skills of acting so that you can live your dream. This is our singular intention in everything we say and do. But everyone has to begin somewhere, and today we’ll start with the key to all of your acting, the heart of what every great actor is doing: attention.

Every actor must develop their ability to give their attention fully to the other actor. This must happen without effort in every moment yet there is something working against you. It’s a powerful force and it’s strengthening in you as the very thing that goes against your desire to become a great actor.

Today is the time for you to take action or the skills you need to master will never be fulfilled. We say today because it has been our experience that many people just like you have a dream and a strong desire to do something wonderful in this life. They think about it and they talk about it, but they never actually do anything about it. Then, years later, they express a deep regret that they never lived their dream. Rather than get to that point, we like to promote the idea of urgency and action. The best, most important time to act is right now.

Like 95 percent of all people, you love your phone. We know the little screens have become an intrinsic part of the fabric of modern life. They offer many wonderful ways to communicate but in the end, face-to-face contact becomes almost obsolete. It’s true the technology helps you connect, but it does not help you cultivate deep, meaningful relationships in your life…and your acting.

Kids and teens spend so much time in the virtual world that they often lose the ability to be aware of human behavior. But if you’re serious about acting, you also know that human connection is the very basis of the art. How we behave, communicate, feel about each other, what we do to mask our feelings, cover up, avoid, sing for joy, cry in despair, leap in triumph…all of it!

So let’s begin simply and start with a return to listening. Yes, listen to each other. Give another person your complete attention. Put the phone aside and really make contact. Does the mere thought of this bring up anxiety and discomfort? Terrific! This is where the magic in acting begins: in the silence and waiting for something to happen. We want you to really feel what you’re feeling, whether it’s boredom, elation, or just time passing. All of it is ok, everything that’s really happening is ok if you can permit yourself to experience it and not judge it.

Here’s an exercise we invite you to do. Put away your phone for a day, or start with just an afternoon. Talk to your friends, family, and teachers. Ask them how they’re doing. Share how you’re doing. Really look and listen to each other.

Young Actors Need a Point of View. Here’s Why

The other day, I was working with a young student on a role she was up for in a play. The scene required her to show empathy toward her sick grandfather and she was struggling with the scene—she couldn’t relate to the situation or identify with the character since she had never experienced the illness of someone close to her.

“Point of view,” or having an opinion, attitude, or judgment about a subject, is very important for an actor. It’s that opinion that makes every actor unique as it’s what informs the choices they make for their character.

But since young actors often don’t have as much life experience to draw from, developing one can be challenging. But before embodying a character’s opinion or attitude, they must have one of their own. They need to practice feeling things so that when they step into a character’s shoes, they can do the same for the character.

As my colleague Larry Silverberg points out in his book “The 7 Simple Truths of Acting for the Teen Actor,” it’s the actor’s job “to come to grips with the character’s point of view towards the other characters in the play, toward the circumstances he or she is involved in, and toward the world in which he or she lives. If getting onto intimate terms with our character’s point of view is our job, it is important that we first get onto intimate terms with our own point of view.”

READ: How Young Actors Can Play Emotional Scenes

Developing a personal point of view is a valuable skill that will not only help kids relate to the characters they play but also learn to be themselves. Many auditions start with an interview—from young children auditioning for roles to high schoolers auditioning for college programs—and having a clear point of view always helps child actors stand out.

When I work with students who struggle to find that point of view, I make it a point to ask questions about how they’re feeling about specific people, places, and events. I have them do journaling exercises to write about how they feel about things that bring them joy or sadness, the things that scare them, the things that make them mad. Anything to draw an opinion.

I also recommend free association exercises where I ask them to riff on a person, place, or thing. They usually start slow, but it’s remarkable to see them talk and talk and eventually, start to feel something. In these exercises, there’s no right or wrong but there is a choice being made. When acting, you can’t just read the lines—you have to have an opinion, make a choice, and make it your own.

Young actors are just starting to discover themselves and the world around them, and the knowledge that life is both difficult and joyous will enrich their minds, strengthen their acting, and set them up for greater success down the road.

7 Steps to a Successful College Audition

It’s that time of year again when thousands of high school students are applying to drama and musical theater college programs nationwide. These schools get more competitive with each passing year—depending on the track, they can accept as few as 10 new students a year. Therefore, it’s a good idea to start thinking about what type of school and program you’re looking for as early as your freshman or sophomore year of high school. To help you in the process, I’ve pulled together seven steps to help you prepare for a successful audition, starting as early as that first year of high school.

1. Find the right program for you.
BFA? BA? BM? Conservatory? Emphasis on dance? Every school is different, even down to the degrees they offer. So make sure you do your research and figure out what it is you want to study for the next four years. Learn the difference between a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Bachelor of Music. Be honest with yourself about whether you’ll want to study onlythe dramatic arts or if you want to get a full liberal arts education. Do you want to study abroad? Do you want the chance to learn how things work behind the scenes? All of these are questions you should know the answers to before starting the search as they will likely narrow the list down significantly.

Develop a list of questions to ask potential theatre departments and start visiting college campuses early. You will be spending four years there, so consider where you’ll be happy living. Decide if you want a small or large school, access to a city, and whether you want to be in driving distance or an airplane ride away from your family.

2. Prepare for your audition.
Applying to college is incredibly time-consuming: studying for and taking standardized tests, collecting transcripts and letters of recommendation, writing essays, submitting applications. But don’t forget that you need to add audition prep to this list! When I work with high school students, we begin preparing their monologues junior year so they have ample time to choose and practice their pieces wisely, and also to film the video pre-screen.

Every November, I get a frantic call from a student asking for help and though technically there is still time, it feels like a rush job. Start early.

3. Choose appropriate material.
Unless you’re applying to a non-audition program, you will need to choose several monologues and songs for musical theater. Most schools ask for two contrasting contemporary monologues. Some require a classical piece. Your pieces need to be from published plays, not monologue books, so make sure you actually read the entire play, not just your selection. Schools will be unimpressed if you don’t know the origin of your character. Find pieces you connect with, show contrast, and are age appropriate.

4. Execute songs and monologue. 
I highly recommend working with a coach on the selection and performance of your songs and monologues. Auditors don’t want to see formulaic performances—they’re looking for honesty and whether you’re present, relaxed, focused, and able to enjoy the process. In your pieces, make sure you know who you’re talking to and have a strong intention. Take the audience on a journey showing how your character changes from beginning to end.

However, it isn’t just the audition that matters. Schools with top programs aren’t easy to get into academically so grades and test scores matter! You must be accepted into the school itself to be considered for the theater or MT program. Your essay counts and may be why one candidate is chosen over another. Schools are looking for good citizens who are disciplined with an exceptional work ethic. How you interact with others in the room is important. Just like you want to be happy for the next four years, so does the faculty.

5. Be ready for the interview.
Schools can tell a lot about you from the interview. Work on your interview skills, be yourself and be ready to give thoughtful answers to questions asked. Research the school so you can speak about why you chose their program. Whether it’s the faculty, alumni, philosophy, or networking opportunities, have specifics.

6. Don’t forget the prescreen and tapings.  
Each school has its own admission process and many require a pre-screen video (due in the fall) that will determine if you get an invitation to audition. This tape showcases your acting and, if applicable, singing talent. Make sure you understand the material and are making choices. For musical theater programs, you will not get past the prescreening if you have vocal damage or pitch problems. You don’t need professional equipment to tape but make sure you are filming with no distractions and adequate lighting.

7. Get ready for audition day. 
You’ve been preparing for this day for quite some time so it’s understandable to be nervous. But make sure to leave your nerves outside or turn them into excitement and energy. Be yourself, be alive, let go of perfection, and enjoy the process you have worked so hard on while letting go of the outcome.

How Much Does It Cost to Raise a Child Star?

I have made it my living to cultivate the careers of entertainment’s next stars. It takes hard work, dedication, and a will to succeed. It also takes the tremendous support of parents, both emotionally and financially. So how much does it really cost to raise a child star? Between training, headshots and reels, equipment, and travel expenses, the answer is surprising. I’ve got the inside scoop of what parents really spend to further their child’s career.

Training
Acting is nothing without passion and hard work. Passion is what drives the necessary ingredient: the will to perfect your craft. That, like any passion, comes with a price tag. For professional child actors, the combination of private coaching, group classes, and workshop intensives average between $4,000 and $8,000 per year. I find for any child actor with professional aspirations that group classes are a must. As a child begins to frequent auditions, a private coach is imperative, as they give individualized attention to strengthen your child’s abilities and can focus on specific audition material.

If your child sings, most vocal lessons come at a hefty price tag. An average cost that my clients spend on vocal lessons is about $5,000 per year. These children are vocally gifted and require professional training to maintain their voice, especially at a time when voices change as children get older.

Most child actors have dance on their résumés, as it is a valuable skill even if they are not involved in musical theater. By the time you buy shoes, clothes, and recital costumes, dance lessons can exceed $3,000 per year.

Business Fees
If your child is in the union, apart from the $3,000 initiation fee, the average dues for SAG-AFTRA and AEA are about $150 each. They also take a percentage of total yearly earnings, 1.575 percent and 2.25 percent, respectively. Agents take a 10 percent commission on all jobs booked through their services, and managers generally take 15 percent. And don’t forget the accounting and legal fees you may incur which vary from state to state.

Portfolio
The cost for headshots averages about $375 per shoot, updated every six to 12 months as your child grows. Self-taping for remote auditions costs one family about $2,200 per year as they average four tapes per month, and four per week during pilot season. This may be excessive, and you can surely tape on your own without the help of a professional to bring the cost down. You can also take your child’s headshot with your digital camera, but there is usually a noted difference working with professionals in this competitive business—and it is this difference that may get them noticed.

Transportation + Living Expenses
One of my out-of-town clients spent approximately $3,500 per month on a one-bedroom apartment in midtown Manhattan while her child was in a Broadway show. Another chose to commute to the city at a price of $10,000 after the cost of parking, E-ZPass fees, tickets/towing, gas, and car maintenance. Transportation and living expenses can be the biggest drain on a family with a child actor. If your family lives near one of the big cities, you pay the price in property taxes and average living costs. If you live remotely, you save on the cost of living but pay in flights, road trips, and hotels. This area is a challenging one and in my opinion, requires the biggest sacrifice.

Childcare
Many of you have other children besides the aspiring or working child actor. How do you parent them successfully while tending to your young performer?

Babysitting costs average $10 per hour to a full-time nanny’s salary. Unless you have a supportive extended family, this is not an area to cut corners, as you want to support all of your children equally.

Schooling
If your child auditions regularly and works often, public school may not be the best option. They are not known for their support in excessive absences and it can be difficult to keep up with coursework. If you need alternative education for your child, fees can range from $4000 per year for online home-schooling to $35,000 per year for private school.

On average, parents are spending anywhere from $25,000–$36,000 per year to keep their children competitive in the business. Is it necessary? Yes and no. There are many successful children whose parents spend considerable sums for training and exposure within the industry. Is it the only way to break into the industry? Not necessarily. I have clients on all ends of the financial spectrum. True talent and luck have furthered the careers of countless children.

Supporting a child’s dream of performing professionally comes at a cost just like any passion. As parents, you must evaluate the cost of training, transportation, auditions, materials, as well as the opportunity cost of working full-time as opposed to devoting your work full-time to your child’s career. There isn’t a winning formula that guarantees your child’s success and your family’s happiness. It is a decision that only you and your family can make. While professional acting requires tremendous resources, it reaps countless benefits for your child and your family, as you grow together on this journey.

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.