Consider your special and unique strengths and how you should market them to become an actor for children's theater.
Children's theater performances can be a spectacular experience in the eyes of a child and children's theater performers have the great advantage of helping re-create the fascinating world of storytelling. Becoming a successful actor for children's theater takes hard work, dedication and perseverance. No matter what type of performer you are or your acting skill level, constant coaching, practice and education is essential to not only breaking in the business of children's theater, but thriving in it.
Instructions
1. Study theater. Enroll in either an accredited university's theater department or take professional acting classes at a reputable acting or performing arts institution. Furthermore, study children's theater. Go see children's shows to learn the varying types of children's productions.
2. Familiarize yourself with children's theatre scripts and productions to prepare yourself for cold readings. Study and memorize children's production monologues so that you will be able to attend casting calls and auditions at short notice.
3. Practice your craft. Acting is a skill and it requires constant training. Enlist in a personal acting coach that will help you hone your acting skills. A good acting coach should give you honest, constructive feedback on your acting abilities as well as help you determine what type of performer you are.
4. Consider your acting abilities, strengths and the type of skills you can bring to a production. Are you a character actor? Are you good a playing the villain? Do you have acrobatic or gymnastic training? List your best characteristics and skills that would make you ideal for particular types of children's theater roles. While an actor's should be versatile, it is equally important for him to market his own strengths.
5. Network with other actors, directors and theater companies so that you can be aware of current casting calls, performance camps and workshops.
6. Get involved with community theater. It may take experience and time before you establish yourself as a Broadway children's theater actor. Become a community performer for traveling children's theater troupes, audition for university children's shows or participate in children's production at a local community club. The key is to gain acting experience and to build up a solid resume.
7. Get professional headshots. Take professional pictures with a reputable photographer. Choose clothing for your shoot that compliments your body type. Maintain a healthy appearance and well-groomed look. Most importantly, smile and be confident. Acting agents and casting directors can best determine whether you would be right for a children's show role based off of your winning personality rather than whether or not you have traditional good looks.
8. Develop an actor's resume. Construct a list of professional plays and other media productions that you have been involved with. List the name of the production, the director, the year or date of that particular production and your role in the production. Head the top of the resume with your name, basic contact information and your physical measurements. Keep your resume current. Have a professional theater coach or agent review your resume before you send it out.
9. Send out your resume and headshots to children's theater companies. Keep in touch with these particular companies through post card or short letters every six months, inviting casting directors to current productions you are involved in. The companies you contact, the higher your chances of landing more theater opportunities.
