Beginner Tips for Child Actors | Advice for New Stage Parents | Parenting Young Performers

When my daughter first said she wanted to be in a movie, I smiled, nodded, and thought, “Okay, sweetie, let’s see where this goes.” Fast forward a few years, and I’ve become her reader, scheduler, chauffeur, tech crew, emotional coach, and let’s be honest, her unofficial manager - her "momager." If you’re new to the world of acting, singing, or dancing with your child, I see you. And I created Momaging Made Easy for you.

There’s a lot of info out there, but very little of it speaks directly to parents. That’s why I’ve pulled together this list of 10 honest, practical things I wish I’d known at the beginning - before the auditions, the callbacks, the tears, the joy, and the chaos (as fun as it can be!).

1. Not Every Kid Who Loves Performing Needs to Be a Professional Actor

This one sounds obvious, but it’s easy to forget in the flurry of auditions and dreams of Disney stardom. Lots of kids love to sing, dance, and act, but that doesn’t mean they have to pursue it professionally. Watch your child closely. Are they asking to do more classes? Excited to audition again - even after a “no”? Curious about the craft, not just the spotlight?

If the answers are yes, you might be raising a future performer. But if they’re only interested when it’s fun, “glamorous” or they get the lead role, that’s okay too. Explore local theater, school musicals, or summer camps before jumping into agents and casting sites.

2. Start With Classes Before You Start With Auditions

If I could go back in time, I’d invest more time into training before diving into submissions. A child who sings well but lacks mic technique, or who acts but doesn’t understand slating, will struggle.
Here’s what helps early on:

• Acting for camera classes (not just stage)
• Improv classes for confidence and quick thinking
• Voice lessons for breathing and pitch control
• Dance classes for rhythm and discipline

Look for local studios or reputable online programs like Actorsite or Child Actor 101.  If you have the budget (and the time), check out classes in NYC like A Class Act NY or Broadway Artists Alliance. 

3. A Good Headshot Opens Doors

You don’t need a $1,000 headshot session, but you do need a clear, well-lit, natural photo that captures your child’s personality. Skip the glam makeup, costumes, or overly filtered edits. If you can afford a professional photographer, make sure they specialize in ACTOR headshots.  No offense to wedding, family, or portrait photographers, but actor's headshots are a VERY distinct type of photo - please don't waste your money on someone who doesn't understand the requirements.

Also - casting directors want to see what your child actually looks like right now - not what they looked like last summer, so plan to update headshots every 12–18 months (or after major haircuts, growth spurts, or braces getting put on/taken off).

4. A Great Self-Tape Setup Is More Important Than a Plane Ticket to L.A.

Gone are the days when young actors had to live in Hollywood to get started. Thanks to remote casting, your child can audition for national commercials, streaming platforms, and even network TV, without leaving your house.

Here’s what you need:

• A blank, well-lit wall (or a backdrop stand)
• Softbox or LED lighting
• A smartphone with a tripod
• A quiet space
• A reader (that’s you!)

Want a deeper guide? Try out our Ultimate Self-Tape Guide for Parents.

5. Your Role as a Parent Matters Just as Much as Your Child’s Talent

Casting directors aren’t just hiring kids - they’re hiring families. Your demeanor in emails, your timeliness for callbacks, and how you prep your child all factor in. Many kids lose out on opportunities because their parent came off pushy, disorganized, or unprofessional.

Your job? Be the calm in the chaos. Be supportive, reliable, and behind-the-scenes unless asked otherwise. Think "beige." The phrase "Don’t be THAT parent" exists for a reason. 

6. A Legit Talent Agent Will NEVER Charge You Upfront

Let me say this louder for the parents in the back: if someone wants money before getting your child work, it’s not legit.

Real talent agents and managers take a percentage (usually 10-20%) ONLY when your child books paid work. Be cautious of “agencies” offering expensive photo packages, showcase fees, or training as a condition of signing.

You can check agent legitimacy via:

• SAG-AFTRA Franchised Agents List
• Google reviews
• Parent groups like Child Actor 101 on Facebook

7. Rejection Happens All the Time—And It’s Not Personal

This industry can be brutal on young hearts (and on yours, too). Your child might crush an audition and still not get the part—because the role was written for someone taller, older, with brown eyes, or who looked like the on-screen parents already cast.

Help your child see auditions as experiences, not pass/fail tests. Praise their effort, not the outcome. And if you feel emotional after a “no,” that’s okay. Just don’t let it cloud their joy.                                       
Momager Tip: Casting directors and your agent are SOOOOOO busy trying to fill roles, they don't have the time to inform you when you don't get a callback, only when you do, so please don't email, text or call them to ask if they've heard anything or if your kid got the part.  Trust me, if they did, you'll be told.  Otherwise, as our agent and manager both told us when we first started working with them - "Audition, Submit, and Forget." You can spend a lot of time spinning in your brain about whether your kid got the part, you have to decline the upcoming birthday party invite, or change that vacation check-in date OR, you can go ahead and live your life to the fullest and make any changes IF and WHEN your child lands a role.  In the meantime, don't torture yourself, it's not worth it.

 8. Learn the Casting Platforms—They’re Your New Best Friends

You’ll need to create and manage accounts on platforms like:

• Actor’s Access
• Casting Networks
• Backstage

These sites are where agents, managers, and casting directors post breakdowns and review submissions. Your child’s headshot, resume, and demo reel will live here.

Momager Tip: Use the same high-quality headshot across ALL platforms to create a consistent, professional brand.

9. Auditions and Rehearsals Will Disrupt Your Life—Plan Accordingly

I used to think I could just “fit this in.” Spoiler Alert: you can’t. Between last-minute self-tapes, callbacks, classes, travel, and bookings, things can get intense.

To help make it manageable, try and create structure wherever you can:

• Create an electronic folder structure for storing all schedules, audition breakdowns & scripts
• Build a 3-ring binder that can travel in the car with scripts or songs for easy memorizing
• Use Google Calendar or a similar app for shared scheduling
• Pack a “performance go-bag” with snacks, wardrobe basics, "wait-time" activities, and scripts
• Inform teachers EARLY about possible absences
• Stay AHEAD on schoolwork and reschedule other activities proactively

10. You’re Not Just Raising a Performer—You’re Raising a Human

This one is everything. The skills your child gains through performing - confidence, communication, resilience, creativity - will serve them no matter what career path they eventually achieve.

Celebrate every callback, every new dance move, every note they hit for the first time. But also celebrate their kindness, their courage to try, and their willingness to keep showing up even after disappointment.

Remember: your child is not a product. They’re a person. And you are the grounding force that will keep them safe, joyful, and loved—whether they’re in the spotlight or not.

Final Thoughts: You’ve Got This, Momager (or Dadager)

If you're here, reading this whole post, you’re already doing a phenomenal job. You’re learning, researching, and trying your best to support your child's dreams in a smart, sustainable, loving way.

The entertainment industry can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. That’s why I created Momaging Made Easy - so you don’t have to Google everything at midnight (like I did). Download your free Ultimate Self-Tape Checklist to get a jump-start on confident, professional audition prep—without the stress.

And if you’re wondering what comes next, we’ve got guides, webinars, and a whole community waiting to support you. Because your star deserves to shine—and you do too!