You’ve spent hours practicing lines with your child. You’ve enrolled them in acting lessons or acting summer camp. All the preparation has finally paid off with the chance to audition for a part. Your child’s audition is their first step towards getting the part and ultimately reaching their dream of acting or performing. With the opportunities auditions bring, it’s important to have the best experience possible. It’s important that, as a parent, you do everything you can to help to process go well. Here are some things you should not do at your child’s audition.
Don’t Coach Your Child in Front of the Director
This is not the time to show off your skills as an acting coach. The casting director want to see your child’s natural talent, behavior, and responses – not what you’re telling them to do. This especially includes scolding your child. Not only can it upset and put extra (and unneeded) pressure on your child, but it also creates an awkward and uncomfortable experience for everyone, including the casting director. If your child’s audition isn’t “perfect” or they make a mistake, that’s perfectly fine; use the experience as a learning point for future auditions.
Don’t Let Your Child Misbehave in the Waiting Area
Auditions can mean a lot of time spent sitting and waiting. This can be difficult with young children, but it’s important that your child behave well. Of course, your child isn’t expected to sit perfectly still with their hands folded in their lap the entire day – however, running around, screaming and throwing things will not make a good impression on the casting director, receptionist, or anyone else involved in the audition. Bring along activities such as books and small toys to keep your child busy, and make sure they get plenty of rest and a nutritious meal before coming to the audition.
Don’t Be Rude to the Casting Director – Or Anyone Else There
To be polite should go without saying, but the stress and pressure of an audition can put nerves on edge and make a normally well-mannered parent aggressive or short. Remember: your behavior represents your child. Take everything – even criticism – in stride. Don’t argue, no matter how wrong you think they may be. It could be that this simply isn’t the right role for your child, but there’s no sense in burning bridges and gaining a reputation as a parent who is difficult to work with.
Don’t Forget to Be Encouraging
Above all, keep in mind that this is supposed to be a fun experience for your child. Regardless of how nervous you may be, keep a positive and upbeat attitude at the audition. Give them encouragement as they prepare to go into the audition room. If you are invited into the room with them, simply keep a smile on your face that tells them they’re doing well. After the audition, no matter how it went, tell them you’re proud of them and point out what they did well. Addressing the points they need to improve can wait until later.
Still Have More Questions?
KD Conservatory has acting, musical theatre, and film production programs to help prepare students for careers in the entertainment industry. Contact us with any of your questions, or check us out on Facebook for ongoing updates and information!
