How to Break Tweens Into An Acting Career
Tips for Parental Involvement and Necessary Steps to Take
Jun 25, 2008
Yes, it will take a lot of dedication and perseverance on your part, as the parent, to help your tween along. An acting career is not only grueling on the child, but the parents as well. You have to be willing to endure many auditions, many rejections, and hope for that one big break when your tween has the opportunity to show that she has what it takes to make acting a career.
Parent Support is Vital
You have to be your tween's number one supporter in her dream of breaking into acting. Without your approval and backing, it will probably never happen. The key is to be keen to your child's ability to act. This entails coming to each of your tween's performances, whether this is through a school production, camp production, or other theatrical organization.
It also means learning how to give careful criticism of your child's performances. She will get most of that through her instructors and choreographers, but hearing it from you will also play a big part in helping her develop acting skills. Saying, "Honey you did great," after each and every performance will not help your tween learn and grow. In fact, it will probably turn her off from even seeking your advice, which is critical to an acting career.
Another point to consider is that when your tween has plenty of practice acting in community performances and takes as many acting classes as she can at this early age, there is a good chance that she will be awarded a scholarship for college and major in acting. This can also help her dreams of hitting big come to life.
Sign Up for Acting Camp
If your tween is truly serious about breaking into acting, it is a good idea to enroll her in an acting camp. It is here that she will learn much more than school instructors can give her. These types of camps are geared specifically for teaching kids how acting works from top to bottom. There are even many camps that feature Disney Channel and Nickelodeon stars who your child can interact with and learn great tips from.
Bear in mind that acting camps are pricey, but for good reason. They generally use real set equipment, host live stars, and give tweens the opportunity to perform for real Hollywood agents. Some camps even sponsor parent workshops so that you can learn your role in your tween's career, including how to sign on with an agent and the benefits of moving the family to a location such as Los Angeles to make auditions easier to attend.
Let Your Tween "Act Up" Regularly
In order for your child to become comfortable with acting, it is important for her to be involved in as many productions as she can handle. This will help her begin to develop a presence, which will not only help her build confidence through acting, but also get her recognized in her community as a dedicated actress.
There are other benefits that come along with an acting career, such as:
- Expanded creativity
- Learning to think on your feet
- Improved social skills
- Learning to handle transitions in life
Exposing your tween to different types of acting, such as comedy, drama, and musicals, will help her find a niche (what she feels most comfortable doing). This is important for when she has the opportunity to audition for various roles. What she is comfortable with will illuminate through her acting skills, giving her a better chance to land the role of a lifetime.
For the majority of tweens, an acting career does not fall into their laps. It takes a lot of work and determination to make it big in your own community, much less in Hollywood. Breaking into acting is a work of heart, and with your support, your tween can go the distance.
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