Your child has been called for an audition.  You have selected the appropriate wardrobe for the part and planned your day to get there in plenty of time.  Now what?

At some auditions, they are just looking for a particular look either to fit into a family look or to fit the clothing.  At others, they want an excited kid or a nerdy kid or a tough kid and your child already has that look. At others, you child will be given lines – called sides – to memorize and perform at the audition. 

We cannot emphasize how crucial it is for you child actor to know the lines by heart.

In some auditions, the actual writer, director and producer will be watching the auditions live or on tape.  Some are looking for a particular look, feel or expression.  All are looking for a child actor who can take directions well.  And some, want to see the right child actor say the right words with the right energy and style.

Now, if they are just looking for a look or feel for the character, you won’t go wrong by having your child know the lines.  If the lines come out naturally, it can only help them present the appropriate expression when directed to do so.

If they are looking for a child actor to say the right words, with the right energy and able to change based on spoken direction, it is critical that your child knows the lines inside and out.  A child scanning his/her memory for the next word will invariably have a challenge changing intonation or expression when asked to.

Now, some children are receptive to working with their parents, but in our experience, far more find it difficult to work with their parents when preparing a role.  This is where an acting coach comes in very handy.  The best place to find a coach is through your child’s acting school.  Most acting teachers offer one-on-one training.  This method has some natural plusses, not the least of which is that your child is familiar with working with that person. 

In many cases, the teacher is also a working actor, very familiar with the audition process.  They can work with your child on the lines as well as with different expressions and reactions they may be asked to perform at the audition.

If time or money makes it impossible to set up a coaching session, still work with your child to make sure they know the lines and can perform the lines “naturally” and can make changes based on direction.

While there is little way to guarantee your child will book the part, it will go a long way toward that goal.

Related Posts:

9 Key Tasks for Kids Who Act   

9 Key Tasks for Parents 

Act Natural  

Are You Helping or Hurting Your Child’s Career  

Casting Process Part 2