The parents guide: How to support your child's acting dreams...

Are you a parent who has recently been surprised by the ‘I want to be an actor’ phrase? If your child has expressed an interest in acting, it can be an exciting and rewarding journey that will build their confidence, creativity and communication skills. As a parent, you play the most crucial role for them in helping them succeed and navigate the complexities of the entertainment industry. 
Navigating this industry, especially as a newcomer, can feel overwhelming—particularly when you’re focused on safeguarding your child’s best interests. You want to make informed decisions that support their growth and well-being while building your own understanding of how the industry works, we hope this blog will help you in understanding the industry further!


You may be asking yourself, but where do you start?


Before diving into acting classes or auditions, take time to understand why your child wants to act. Is it the excitement of performing, the creativity of storytelling, or the desire to be on TV or film? Knowing their motivation will help you support them in the right way. 

Asking your child what type of acting they would like to do whether it be screen, stage or musical theatre will ensure you can find the right training for them. The right training will allow your child to gain experience whether that's on set or stage that will allow them to understand the challenges and requirements of what it takes to be an actor. 

What should I look for in an acting class? 

• Classes tailored to your child’s age group and experience level.
• Instructors with industry experience in TV and film.
• A focus on building confidence, creativity, and technical skills like camera work and audition preparation.
• Spotlight accreditation.
  
  
  

Some acting classes such as IPM will also offer representation, this gives your child an opportunity to audition for industry casting calls through the likes of Spotlight. In addition to opening doors and building connections, this experience can significantly enhance both your child's and your own understanding of the industry, helping you better navigate the path ahead.
A child's life can already be busy with school, extracurriculars and maintaining friendships, acting can seem hard to fit in however, making a safe and comfortable home space will make all the difference. 


How to support your child at home with acting:

• Create a practice space where they can rehearse lines and experiment with different characters. This space will also be invaluable for self-tape auditions, providing a familiar and comfortable environment where they can perform at their best. Being in a space where they feel at ease can make all the difference in helping them deliver confident, authentic performances and nail their auditions.
• Encourage creativity through activities like storytelling, improvisation, or watching films together and discussing the performances, this can make it an enjoyable and less demanding way to keep the muscle moving.
• Provide constructive feedback, this will help your child grow, it is not always about being perfect but about learning and gaining confidence as a young performer. 
  
  
  

How can I balance my child’s social life with their acting career? 


While acting can be an exciting adventure and career, it’s essential to ensure that it doesn’t overwhelm your child’s education or personal life. Maintaining balance is key to your child's success. 

• Set a schedule that includes time for acting practice, homework, and downtime, this will ensure your child maintains a balance and scheduled time off.
• Prioritise their well-being, ensuring they get enough rest and maintain hobbies outside of acting. Your child’s wellbeing, safety and joy come first, above and beyond everything else.
• Teach time management skills to help them handle auditions, rehearsals, and school responsibilities effectively. 

We often get asked, ‘how do I do an at home audition?!’ This can be a new and daunting experience for a parent, but auditions and self tapes are a massive achievement that we shouldn’t be scared of, but rather enjoy!

• Prepare thoroughly by helping them learn their lines and understand the character, ensure you read all the instructions given by your agent and the casting director as they will likely have requirements such as IDENTS and format of the file, if you are unsure of anything, ask your agent, they are there to help!
• Show personality, if asked for an ident, this is the perfect chance for your child to step out from others. Introducing themselves with a smile and fun vibe is sure to leave a lasting impression on the casting directors. 
• Stay positive and remind them that every audition is a learning experience, once the audition is done, there is nothing you can do, remember you tried your best and any outcome is positive. Casting directors may remember your child for another role and if nothing comes of it, they have experienced what it takes to do a real audition.
• Celebrate effort, not just results—praise their bravery for showing up and performing. 
• Deal with the rejection together, remember to reassure your child that there are many different factors that go into casting the right person and sometimes, that just isn’t you and something else will always come along!

Many children who are in the world of acting will know about CVs, showreels and interviews far before the general public. These skills will stay with them for life and highlight the importance of building a portfolio that shows their talents. 
We recommend keeping your child’s headshots up to date—typically, children should update them every six months. This helps showcase their evolving personality and charm to casting directors while ensuring their appearance remains current. If your child has representation, they may be eligible to create a Spotlight profile. This platform acts as their CV, where you can list their skills, hobbies, and any relevant experience that could help them secure roles. Agents use Spotlight to submit actors for work, and it’s the primary resource casting directors rely on to find talent. 

The involvement of a parent in their child's acting career is essential for them staying safe, success and overall well being. While it is an exciting and enjoyable time, it will come with challenges that will require your guidance and support. Stay connected with attending performances, celebrating achievements and offering encouragement. Even if you think everything is going well, it is crucial to keep open communication with your child and check in regularly to what they are enjoying and how they are feeling. It is equally important to check in with instructors for feedback on progress and how your child can improve. By staying actively involved, you not only help your child build confidence and resilience but also show them that you’re fully invested in helping them succeed. 
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Acting is a long-term journey, and success doesn’t happen overnight. Teach your child the value of resilience and patience as they work toward their goals. And above all, remember to celebrate every step of your child’s acting journey. Whether they land a role or simply gain more confidence, every experience is a success.

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