Hollywood Child Stars

Tried and True Kids Audition Tips

Child actors often have more professional opportunities than adults because new talent is always needed in that field. Young actors have to be replaced when they become too old, and children’s roles often need to be double cast due to strict child actor labor laws. Moreover, children are vulnerable subjects to pressure, and many of them cannot handle it; some eventually burn out because of stress.

Where auditioning is concerned, children differ from adults. It is very important that kids audition for songs and monologues that are appropriate for their age level. If you follow a few tried-and-true kids audition tips, you will enhance your child’s audition performance, and increase his or her chances of becoming the next up and coming superstar!

Kids Audition Tips on Monologues
Most important, the selected monologues should be age-appropriate and suitable for the child. A young performer needs to understand the meaning of the monologue, and the corresponding role should be one that the child can conceivably play. Kids need more time than adults to memorize their monologues. For especially young children, monologues should be rather brief – a minute-long usually satisfies most casting directors. Children do not need the extensive monologue repertoire that adults require. The presentation of one comedic and one dramatic monologue is enough to cover most auditions.

Kids Audition Tips on Singing
Be aware that young children learn far more by example than by explanation. Giving children under the age of 10 explanations on the body’s diaphragm and on breathing techniques is often a waste of time. It may cause them to become tense and confused. A better choice is to offer them the opportunity to observe and hear an accomplished singer, one with proper technique; youngsters tend to naturally emulate. However, introducing children to their head voice can have significant benefits, provided it is not done in an overly technical way. It is important that children experience singing and performing in an enjoyable atmosphere. Putting kids into singing competitions before they are ready can cause them to associate singing with anxiety. As a result, they may feel nervous and tense even in non-competitive situations. Children should learn to enjoy singing and performing for their own sake, which does not necessarily include contests.

Standard Kids Audition Tips
It is important to research the role your child is auditioning for. Find out everything you can about it, judge its attributes, and keep your child’s best interest at heart. Make sure that he or she does not feel intimidated by the 10 or 20 other hopefuls in the same room, auditioning for the same part. Explain that it is just a chance to practice performing in front of an audience. At most auditions, your child’s audience will include the casting director, executive producer, and a few other people involved in the project.

Know your child’s best look and stick to it as that will make them feel comfortable. Do not attempt a major hair style or wardrobe change that will whack your child out of balance and create a false presentation. Make sure your child is well-rested and well-fed as the wait may be long. If you project a calm disposition, so will they.

One of the most beneficial kids audition tips is to discover your child’s unique potential talent. Everyone is good at one thing or another. You need to nurture and develop your child’s natural gift by providing them with training. If your child has good reflexes, perhaps they should be enlisted in a gymnastics class. If your child is graceful, then ballet lessons might turn them into a beautiful dancer. If your child is rambunctious and energetic, a tae-kwon-do course can synthesize those chaotic movements into a harmonious ki flow. And, if acting is their forte, a good trainer may lead them to fame. Amongst many instructions, they will emphasize that good actors do not overact - being too dramatic is a common faux-pas.

With so many people out there trying to make it big, your child will require the best of the best, in terms of resources, in order to maximize their potential and reach the top. By providing them with excellent instructors to develop their talents and skills, your child will enter the fierce audition arena with added ammo in their arsenal, and will stand out as the crème-de-la-crème amongst the proverbial masses.

Jacklyn Moore is the webmaster for Hollywood Child Stars.