How Young Actors Can Discover Powerful Audition Material

I love getting calls from students asking for a great monologue or scene for their upcoming audition or acting reel. It keeps me in business. But it’s important young actors learn where to find and how to choose their own material since doing so gives you the opportunity to find a unique piece that fits your personality and talents.

Students auditioning for middle, high school, and university performing arts programs are required to present one or two monologues, mostly from published plays. Some schools allow pieces from movies and books if the student is connected to the material. Finding the right monologue can seem like an impossible task but through my 30 years in the industry working with young actors, I’ve accumulated a considerable library of scenes and monologues. Where do I find it all? Reading plays and screenplays, seeing a lot of theater and movies, and spending hours at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts and the Drama Book Shop in NYC.

While you may not have hours to spare poring over great plays and screenplays, here are some tips that can help you discover your own perfect audition material:

Start with the theater. 
Many of my students have only read and seen musicals, but don’t spend a lot of time at the theater seeing plays. As an actress and teacher, some of my best training happened in the theater, either sitting in the audience or standing in the wings as an apprentice watching actors work with great material.

You don’t have to live in New York to see great theater. I recently attended a small community theater production of a hilarious play that was brand new to me. I immediately ordered the play and added it to my script library. You can find performances in every community.

Find age-appropriate material. 
Look for scenes that contain conflict and well-developed, relatable characters. Whether it’s a scene for an acting class, a demo reel or a monologue, choosing age-appropriate, yet powerful material can be challenging for younger actors.

Many plays are racy with foul language and strong sexual content. Though they’re entertaining to watch, they may not be suitable for auditions and class work. Find something in the G or PG range for auditions, unless you’re working on a college audition. Even then, use caution with materials that are too raw or sexual so your performance isn’t overshadowed by the material.

Start reading plays by playwrights who write for younger audiences.  
Two excellent resources are Bakers Plays and Playscripts. Both firms are independent publishers of new plays and musicals and offer plenty of great material for young audiences.

See plays and watch movies.  
You can find many films on Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu, both old and new. Ask your parents for recommendations for movies they’ve seen with young characters and themes that relate to your life and experiences.

Attend classes and workshops.    
Enroll in an ongoing acting class or take some one-day workshops by master teachers where you’ll not only perfect your craft but be exposed to material you might find funny or moving.

Write your own material. 
Use your strengths and create content to show yourself off in the best light. Perhaps you can use your musical talents, singing or even dancing in a scene you create. Get together with friends and put some thoughts down on paper. Before you know it, you might have an awesome scene written or even a one-act play. You don’t have to be a great writer, just be honest and tell your truth.

For more advice on where and how to find material from plays geared to young audiences, as well as how to search for suitable content in new plays and productions, I’ll be hosting a panel discussion with playwright Jonathan Marc Sherman (“Women and Wallace”), several theater directors, and a few educators at the Drama Book Shop in New York City on Thursday, Nov, 30 at 6 p.m. The event is free and suitable for tweens, teens, and their parents.

A Young Actor’s Checklist

It’s more than talent that's being assessed in an audition. If your script isn't in order and you're fiddling with the papers, you may become unfocused and distracted. At that point, the casting director is already thinking next. As a teacher, I don’t want to hear excuses about why you don’t have your script. Using your phone is not an acceptable alternative. You need to mark up your scripts with notes, actions, and directions.

What's more, young actors who understand the decision making, diligence, and sacrifice necessary to pursue an acting career on the part of both themselves and their families are often completely invested. Teens and pre-teens thrive when parents nurture their adolescent development rather than control it. An inclusive approach to career decision making with real and understandable expectations and responsibilities often leaves young actors feeling in control, focused, and ready for success.

Here’s a checklist of what you'll need to set yourself up for success in and out of the audition room.

Acting Class + Rehearsal

• A hard copy of your script, monologue, or the scene you're working on

• Highlighter to help identify your lines easily

• Pencil (not a pen) to make notes and changes

• Water to always stay hydrated

• Healthy snacks

• Your phone to record something, add contacts, and to be able to reach a parent

Auditions

• Hard copies of headshots with resumes stapled together

• Your audition copy or sides printed out

• Music book if it's a musical audition

• Dance wear for dance calls

• Water

• Snack

• Phone

• Extra shirt in case of spills

• Hairbrush or comb to touch up hair

READ: 25 Ways for Young Actors to Take Control of Their Careers

Performances

• Any personal costume pieces

• Makeup (always bring your own for sanitary reasons)

• Your script. Even though you will know your lines by performance time it is always best to review them. You might find something new.

• Water

• Snack

• Something to help you relax and bide the time backstage like music, cards, knitting, etc.

As child actors grow into teens, they're responsible for more and held accountable with consequences. Start learning these skills now and you'll be more prepared as you head into adulthood. Preparedness, scheduling, and goal setting all help develop important life skills. The consistent effort to stay organized will teach you how to focus effectively to get things done. Involvement on this level with proper parental guidance also develops communication and critical reasoning skills. These life skills show up in the audition too. Casting directors look for young actors who focus and communicate well.

So kids, take control of your career today. Be prepared and stay organized. Pack a bag the night before with everything you need for class, rehearsal, auditions or performance days and set yourself up for success!

It’s Time to Take Boston Seriously as an Actor’s Hub

Production crews are flocking to New England, and with good reason. The scenery is breathtaking with snowcapped mountains in the winter, swan boat rides in spring, summer beachcombing on the Cape, and breathtaking fall foliage. Boston’s cobblestone streets, reminiscent of Paris at the turn of the century, lead to a bustling community rich with art galleries and theaters. Not to mention the state of Massachusetts offers a tax credit to movie producers, refunding twenty-five cents for every dollar spent.

In any given month, Boston is home to up for 15 films in production. Recently wrapped films include “Growing Pains,” Amy Schumer’s “I Feel Pretty,” “Slender Man,” the Christina Hendricks-starring “Burning Woman,” Taraji P. Henson’s “Proud Mary,” and Mark Wahlberg/Will Ferrell comedy “Daddy’s Home 2.” Currently in production in and around Boston are “Ghost Light,” “The Equalizer 2” starring Denzel Washington, and the “Castle Rock” TV series. That’s a lot of movie making! With so much going on, consistent work for Boston-based actors and crews is attainable.

Boston is one of my favorite cities; it has an intimate feel with big city perks. I recently taught a few acting workshops at Boston Casting and was impressed by the talent there. The office was busy until evening, working on both background and principle roles. I spoke with Angela Peri and Lisa Lobel, the owners of Boston Casting, to learn more about their city, which is just four hours away from the Big Apple.

“Hollywood heavyweights like Mark Wahlberg and Denzel Washington love to work in Boston. There is a unique feel to the city, a talented and hardworking crew who can work tirelessly through every season, and actors with a special character and authenticity. We love telling stories in Boston!”

Additionally, some of the nation’s top theater and acting programs—Boston University, Emerson, Boston Conservatory at Berklee, American Repertory Theatre at Harvard—call the city their home, which means the city’s actors are well-trained and taken seriously. What’s more, the bustling production scene in Boston, they stay in the area to work after graduation; they have the ability to be a big fish in a small pond.

Boston and its surrounding suburbs also offer wonderful theater opportunities. In New York, it’s often difficult to land roles in community theater as many shows produced are professional. The Boston area has many local theater groups and regional theaters giving actors the opportunity to perform and even accumulate Actors Equity Membership Candidacy points. And since actors need to act, this is only a good thing!

When I teach in the area, I love listening to the Bostonian accent that an actor from New York or Los Angeles can’t quite master. Local films need local actors with an authenticity and look you can’t always find in New York or L.A. There is a genuine small town quality here that comes across, something I know is attractive to directors looking for the real deal.

You no longer need to live and work in New York or Los Angles to be a working actor. If you’re not getting work in one of the two or simply prefer a different urban vibe, consider giving Boston a try.

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.