What To Do When Your Child Wants To Be An Actor

At some point, every parent worries about what their children are going to become in the future. For some, the drama starts really early, the dreams are big and wild, and to them, everything is possible because the world is that simple to them. This is common and very healthy; you should encourage your kids to dream big, it is good to have ambitions in life.

The phrase “I want to be an actor” is a common one among kids. By the time they are six, eight, ten, their minds are already made up and some of them would be making steps in the school drama team by this time. This is a very important stage for you to help your child decide on what he wants to do. It is true that dreaming big is a good thing, but the dream has to be something your child is capable of accomplishing. Acting requires a lot of qualities, the person has to be talented, this is not to say your child has to be born an actor, no. like leaders, actors are made not born, yet some are more gifted and talented than others.

If your kid has a burning passion for acting and is ready to invest his time and energy to turn that dream into a reality, then you have a huge role to play as a parent. The acting industry is tough, rough and very competitive, which means your child is not the only one looking to become an actor, so if he wants it that bad, he will have to earn it.

Why Does Your Child Want To Become An Actor?

When your child comes up to you and says ‘mum I want to be an actor’ you need to find out why. You need to determine whether this desire was fueled because he was just watching TV and wants to be famous like some of the kids he saw on TV shows. Maybe he thinks it’s a cool life to be rich and famous as his favorite actors. If this is the case, then you need to have a frank talk with him and make him understand that people don’t become actors because they want to be famous or rich, they become actors because it is what they want to do, and what they love to do.

However, if his desire to become an actor is fueled by a pure passion for acting, then he stands a chance. Because if it’s for money, he will fail, if it’s for fame, he will fail. Pretty much any reason other than him having a burning passion for what he wants to do, he will fail. This may seem harsh, but to see the acting industry clearly for what it is, you have to be able to separate yourself from the parent role and look at things from an outside perspective.

Does He Have What it Takes?

It takes a lot to be an actor, going to an acting school and training are important steps, but even before taking these steps, you have to be sure that your child has what it takes to become an actor. Having the burning passion is one thing, having the talent is the next. Your child is the most special and precious thing in the world to you, but how do you know if he is ready for the real world of acting? How do you know he has what it takes to become a successful actor amidst the hundreds and thousands of other kids struggling for the same job?

Let’s face it, there are hundreds of kids moving to cities every day with the same hopes and dreams, and a lot of them have more experience or better connections. It is not going to be easy; can your child handle the stress that comes with being rejected again and again at auditions? Is your child really talent or are just a loving parent who like all other parents, sees him as the best and most talented child in the world even when and where he is not. These are some of the things you have to consider in this case. The good news is, your child can learn and master all the qualities he needs to be an actor, so yes it is possible and yes he can become an actor.

How Can You Help

You are the most important motivation to your child. Your support can make him and your lack of support can break him. You have to be there for your child as a parent. Because he will break, he will want to give up, he will be frustrated, he will need approval, he will need someone to tell him “it is going to be ok”, “you are great”, “you are going to make it” etc. It is a long and bumpy road, and your child will need you all the way.

Here are a few easy ways you can help your kid:

1. Give Your Time

Despite your busy schedules and stressful weekdays, devote as much time as you can spare to help your child realize his dream. This could include helping him rehearse, coaching him, driving him to his events, helping him prepare for an event, going to his events, auditions etc. show him that his dream is important to you, and you will do what you can to help him realize it.

2. Take Him To See Plays

Schedule some field trips to see live performances. A local children’s acting theater would be a great start so that he can see kids his age up on stage. In addition to spending time at the show, teach him about the rich culture of theater. to make sure his experience is a positive one, choose a kid-friendly performance like “Matilda the Musical”. This will fuel up his motivation and make him work hard.

3. Work On Memorization Skills

To make a good actor, you have to be good at memorizing lines. This is a skill you can help your child develop through a variety of ways. To help work on this skill, encourage your child to practice memorization within and outside of the classroom. For example, singing new songs without looking at the lyrics, reciting the times’ tables, summarizing a TV show you just watched with him and even see how he remembers most of the grocery list when shopping at the supermarket. Memorization is a central part of acting.

4. Articulation

You have to work with your kid on delivering a clean, clear slate. You have to work on articulation with your child this is important because the clarity of articulation is very central for directors. When a casting director is seeing 100 kids for one line in a commercial, any mumbling or a lack of projection can be reason enough not to forward you on to the director, and you would be amazed at how many kids struggle to say their own names when put under pressure.

5. Stage Presence

If your child wants to be an actor, he has to be ok with being seen. There is simply no room for shyness in an audition room. He will have to walk into a room full of strangers, look them in the eyes and do what he has to do. If your child is constantly putting on shows for you in the living room, that doesn’t necessarily mean he will do the same when commanded to. Work with him to achieve a level of professionalism that will stand out. He will start to understand that when audition time comes, he needs to shift into working mode and deliver. Have him introduce himself when meeting new people or have him perform for people whom he may not be as comfortable around. It is all about stretching that comfort zone.

6. Provide Professional Coaching

Know that your coaching as a loving parent is not enough unless you are an actor yourself. Even then, you need to provide outside help, either by enrolling him in an acting school or by hiring a professional coach to train your kid. You can lay the groundwork, but there will always be a clear separation between the children who are trained and the ones who are not. You want to give your child as many tools as possible so that he can feel ready and capable to deliver a solid performance. You don’t need to spend thousands of dollars a month, but you do need to find an acting coach that your child is comfortable with. This may take time, but it will be worth it when you see him start to hone his craft and become a little professional.

Conclusion

Note that all the steps mentioned above can be practiced at home. The journey for child actors can be a long and difficult one, and it’s your job as a parent to make sure their egos and self-esteem say intact. Focus on delivering a good performance every time, as opposed to booking the job, and be sure to let your child know that you are proud of him no matter what. The tools mentioned above are important, but the biggest thing you can give your child is your support.