4 Tips to Help Your Child Navigate Auditions

Musical Theater Arts Blog by Timothy Maureen Cole | Fall 2019

4 Tips to Help Your Child Navigate Auditions: What to do if they don’t make the cast list

Your child has put together a resume and headshot, learned the music, gone to the audition, and done their best. Now to wait for that call or email. The dreaded cast list announcement. Did we get a callback? Does that mean we won’t get into the cast?

Whether your child is auditioning for the school musical, community theatre, or on a professional level, it’s always a stressful process.

Your aspiring star puts all this work and effort into preparing for an audition, and at the end of it all you don’t get to make the decision. The best days are when you finally get that call or email and the big news: they want YOUR CHILD in their cast. But what if that’s not the news you get? Where do you go from there?

It can be very difficult for a child or teen to deal with rejection in a casting situation. It can be difficult for adults, for that matter. How do we explain the “how” and “why” of casting without being discouraging? For starters, it is important to make sure your child understands that there are a lot of reasons why they might or might not get cast, some of them straight forward and some not so straight forward. So, what are they?

1. 1. 1. Experience Level: Casting directors of all levels are looking for performers with previous experience and skills in acting, singing, or dancing (respectively). Depending on the type of production, they are also looking for the type of performer that understands stage terminology, the rehearsal process, and the commitment it takes to be part of a musical or play. If this is your child’s first audition and they are at the lower end of the age bracket, this might be a possible reason for not being cast.

         Solution: Not to fear!  Try out a class in drama or musical theater to get some performance experience. You can also look for auditions for younger ages where there is a better chance that many of the children are also beginners.

      2. Skill Level: You don’t always have control over what type of productions are available for your child. Maybe they’ve been in two school plays but are totally new to musical theatre. It’s important to remember that not all shows are the same. A child who has acting experience but no background in singing or dancing can feel overwhelmed or left behind at an audition that requires all three skills. The same can be said for the child who is a great dancer but is only just starting out in acting.

         Solution: If your child is feeling behind in one or more of the skills required for a theatre audition, enrolling in a focused class is an easy and fun way to improve!  There are so many options for young performers today, from technique-based classes in any of the triple threat skills (acting, singing, dancing) and private lessons to production classes that culminate in a full show. Determine what your child wants to work on and choose the best fit accordingly. You’ll be amazed at how quickly they can progress with some focused attention.

      3. Relationships: Whether you’re in the professional world or community theatre, a lot of casting decisions have to do with the relationship you have with that particular company. Why you might ask? Casting directors want to know that a performer will show up to rehearsals on time, attend rehearsals regularly, and learn their roles. After all, directors are ultimately relying on their cast to put together the production.

         Solution: If your child is auditioning for a company for the first time, don’t be discouraged if they don’t get a lead or even cast at all. When you keep coming back to audition, the company gets to know your face. This lets the people in charge know that your child is serious about wanting to be a part of their productions. Be willing to take smaller or ensemble roles. Let your child shine in any part they receive. Remember, there are no small parts…

      4. Are They “Right” for the Part: This one is maybe the most difficult for young people to understand. Unfortunately, a lot of casting is determined by whether or not a director feels that your child is “right” for the production. Maybe they are too tall or too short for the director’s vision. There are so many variables at play when it comes to casting. How well your child auditioned is not always relevant to this factor.

         Solution: You can’t control what a casting director is looking for when casting a production. It’s important to let your child know that there are many reasons why someone does or does not get cast in a show, and that not all of them are related to talent or skill level. Let them know that they should go in and show their best self and be proud of that.

Now you know some of the factors that go into casting decisions. But that doesn’t really help when you have a disappointed child who was hoping to be in rehearsals by now.

What do you say to them right now in the aftermath of not being cast?

Auditions are like mini performances.  Just preparing for and attending one is a huge accomplishment. Instead of saying, “Better luck next time,” try saying, “Wow I’m so proud of you for putting yourself out there!” Every audition is a chance for your child to work on their craft, build character, and try their hand at performing. It gets easier the more you do it. That sounds like a cliche, but it’s true—and the easier it gets for you child, the more confident they will be for the next time.

Be mindful of your child’s feelings. An audition may feel like just another activity to a parent, but for the child auditioning, it can feel like the most important thing in the world. If they don’t feel great about their audition, or aren’t cast for whatever reason, ask them how they feel. Let them express it, be respectful of them, and then help them move forward. Listen first before offering helpful suggestions about what to do next.

Talk with your child about the audition process. It is completely normal for a performer at any level to go through many auditions before being cast. Take each audition as an opportunity to learn and grow. You know that there are many factors at play when your child goes to an audition. You don’t have control over everything. But stress the importance of the aspects that you can control:

• Your child should be adequately prepared for any songs or scenes they are bringing into the audition.
• Dress appropriately.
• Be on time.
• Go in with a positive attitude.
• Present yourself professionally to the casting directors.

Let your child find their tribe. Performing arts classes are more available to young people than ever before. In between productions and auditions, invest the time in classes that will help build your child’s skills while creating lasting friendships and connections. Wharton’s Performing Arts School has classes throughout the academic year in dance, voice, musical theatre, and drama. Whether you have 10 weeks or 4 months, we have options available to fit your busy schedule. With classes beginning at age 4, we have options for beginners, students looking to build or improve their current skills, and seasoned young performers. It is our belief that there is a place for everyone interested in theatre arts. Every class is a chance to work together in an ensemble and allow space for everyone to grow in confidence and skill.

Winter classes begin in January 2020. To learn more about our programs, please visit our Berkeley Heights location or call our Student Services representatives at (908) 790-0700.

Sources: “A Parent’s Guide to Why Your Child Was (or Wasn’t) Cast” www. backstage.com/magazine/article/parents-guide-child-cast-322/

“How to Help Kids Handle Rejection” www.backstage.com/magazine/article/help-kids-handle-rejection-6119/