As an acting professional, I want to share my experience in the industry so that you can find the best acting class for your child.
I have been working with children in the entertainment business for over 10 years now and I’ve seen everything from extreme talent to extreme tantrums. Here are my top 10 steps to improve your child’s acting class:
1. Get your child interested in a variety of activities and topics. The more interests he has, the more he will have to draw on when he acts.
2. Choose an acting class where kids get to try all aspects of acting: improvisation, scene study, characters and accents, audition technique, and so on.
3. Look at the school’s philosophy: does it match your parenting style? Are their values similar to yours?
4. Find out how students are cast in productions. Some studios cast according to talent and skill; others prefer equality (every child gets a part). Determine which is right for your child.
5. Observe a class before enrolling your child. Does he sit still and pay attention? Are the other children respectful? Is there discipline?
6. Ask about adult supervision during breaks (snack, bathroom). A responsible adult
I have seen many great kids in my acting classes over the past 14 years. I have also seen a lot of bad acting come out of children, and it is not their fault. Sometimes it is the parents. I know that sounds harsh, but when your child is not listening or behaving in class, you are often to blame.
I am a parent of three children and an acting teacher. I know what it’s like to be a busy parent on-the-go while trying to get your kids to their various activities. It can be difficult to get your child off the couch and away from their video games. But once they’re in acting class, there are several things you can do as a parent that will help your child’s performance and make your child enjoy their acting experience even more.
1. GET YOUR CHILD TO CLASS ON TIME
It seems simple enough: get your child to class on time. But you would be surprised how many parents bring their children late to class every week. This is not only disrespectful of the instructor’s time but very disruptive to the other students as well who are trying to learn new material during that time period (which the tardy student missed). And if this happens just once,
More than anything, a good acting class is fun. But it can also be a great way for your child to learn confidence and develop social skills.
Children learn best when they are having fun. There are ways you can help your child make the most of his/her acting class.
1) Be on time to pick up your child from class. Children get distracted and lose focus if parents are late. This disrupts the flow of the class and makes it difficult for the instructor to teach effectively. Being on time also sets a good example for your child.
2) If possible, drop your child off at least five minutes before class begins so he/she can use the bathroom, get water or have time to settle in before their classmates arrive. This extra time prevents children from having unnecessary distractions during instruction time.
3) Make sure your child eats a healthy snack before class. Acting exercises often involve physical activity and children need to be alert and engaged in order to improve their skills. When children are hungry they begin to fidget and lose concentration, which can prevent them from learning as much as they could have otherwise.
4) Make sure your child dresses comfortably in clothing that allows them freedom of movement without being distracting or revealing too much
1. Make sure your child has had a snack and a drink of water before class, so they are hydrated and don’t get cranky from hunger.
2. Encourage your child to share his or her thoughts about acting class.
3. If your child complains about acting class, resist the urge to reassure them or criticize their teacher or classmates.
4. Don’t put pressure on your child to perform well, or force them to take acting classes if they don’t want to.
5. Help children identify feelings by labeling emotions and discussing what causes them, so they are better able to understand their feelings and the feelings of others.
6. Teach children how to express feelings in acceptable ways, such as using words instead of hitting when angry or frustrated.
7. Help children develop empathy by talking with them about how other people feel and how their actions affect others.
8. Inform teachers about issues at home that might have an impact in the classroom such as a divorce, death in the family or moving homes so teachers can be aware of any changes in behavior in the classroom.
9. Include teachers in discussions about behavioral issues with your child; working
While your child’s acting teacher can do a lot to help them improve as an actor, it’s important to remember that you’re your child’s
Some children find it very hard to focus at acting class. This can be due to a number of reasons:
1. They have poor attention span
2. They are easily distracted by other children
3. They are shy and quiet or they are loud and outgoing but extroverts need a lot of stimulation
4. They have just eaten a large meal before class and are finding it difficult to keep awake
5. They are too tired from school and need a nap before class
6. Their parents don’t take them seriously enough about the craft and feel it is just a hobby that they do for fun, with no real commitment.
There are many more reasons why children find it difficult to focus in class, but I have listed what I believe are the top six reasons. Each child is different, so the reasons I have listed may not be the exact reason your child has difficulty focusing in class.
It’s that time of year again! Summer is ending and another school year is beginning. Your kids are either excited or anxious about starting a new year, but for you this means dealing with the dreaded behavior problems. I’ve been doing this for over 10 years and here are some tips that work for both me and my students.
1. Be consistent at home and at school
2. Discipline them the same way at school as you do at home
3. Do not over-discipline your child
4. Make sure they are in a class that fits their age group and personality
5. Encourage your child to have friends outside of school as well as inside of school
6. Help your child decide if acting is really what they want to do or if it’s still just a phase
7. Don’t forget to praise your child when they are behaving well, not just when they are misbehaving
8. Talk to their teacher about what kind of day they had before picking them up from class so you will know how to react appropriately at home (good news vs bad news)
9. Talk with other parents who have been in the same situation you are in now and find out what has worked for
