Parents who spearhead their children’s acting careers face a wide range of obstacles, from playing the role of parent and manager to dealing with the emotional toll of the spotlight. So, what’s the best advice for handling everything that comes with raising a child star?
Theatre director Lauren Hunt and talent manager Lynn Moman have years of experience coaching and training young adults to conquer the theater, film and entertainment industries. Here are their expert tips.
Watch For Signs
As your child grows and develops, make sure acting remains his or her focus and passion. If this industry is something a child is passionate about, then he or she will find the balance on his or her own. If you find yourself being more frustrated than your child, or you start seeing it affect his or her grades and overall mood, then it’s time to pull back just a little. Remember, forcing a child to do something just makes everyone around them miserable — including you!
Fuel your passion
One of the biggest struggles we face is making sure that our kids stay motivated. Part of that is because they lack parental support and push. Find ways to keep motivated and excited about your child’s success; doing so will keep your child motivated, as well! Show up to the shows and auditions, celebrate the successes (no matter how small), and always remember to encourage and uplift on the down days. Remember, your children feed off your energy, and they have to be taught the persevering spirit!
Do your research
Learn the business before you start to steer your child into it. Don’t pay for work you haven’t verified, or jump at the first opportunity that’s offered because it looks good. Trust your instincts as a parent and business person, and keep your eyes on the overall vision you see for your child. Do your research on anyone who wants to work with your child. If someone wants your child bad enough, then he or she will pay YOU.
Make It A Challenge
Find opportunities to test and strengthen your child’s skills. You don’t want his or her career to get stuck in a box! Send your child star on challenge auditions and schedule him or her for out-of-the-box classes. Competitions like our Rep Your Act event in November can teach your child where he or she are strong or can improve. More than 60 adults and children will be competing in categories such as monologues, improv and scene work.
Find The Balance
A parent has to know how to balance being a manager versus a mom and dad. Write down the duties of those two roles and always have them to reference when it gets tough. This will ensure that the relationship stays positive and productive.
Stay Organized and Prepared
From the bookings and workshops to school and extracurricular activities, it’s often hard to keep up. Do maintain a calendar, and keep it on display for everyone in the family to see. That way, you can manage expectations and keep your child from getting overbooked or overworked. Make sure to schedule at least a week of preparation for casting calls. Remember to make sure your child has a professional headshot with a resume printed on the back. Also, make sure that your child can recite a monologe from memory, and will be is prepared to read a script.
For more information and questions about raising child actors: RepYourAct.com
About Lynn Moman
As the CEO of Bright Star Talent Management, Moman has more than 25 years of experience placing adults, young adults, and children in television, film, theater, print and commercials. Moman’s company is Atlanta’s go-to management agency for aspiring actors and actresses to take their careers to the next level.
About Lauren Hunt
Lauren is the CEO of HOTT (Hunt’s Over the Top) Theatre for Children, created to share the gift of theatre with children. Her credentials include a bachelor’s degree in Theatre from Auburn University, a Masters in Elementary Education and a personal resume of acting in many stage plays and short films.
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