Authenticity
2026 will continue one of the main trends in recent years for casting producers and casting directors searching for performers who radiate a true authenticity. Kids who can act upon encouragement to try and go beyond just simply memorizing the lines or instructions received for an audition by bringing their own one-of-a-kind spin for the role will instantly stand out amongst their competitors for the acting or modeling gig.
The ability to do so minimises the artificial impression from the performance and is a key part of creating believable storytelling. Delivering authenticity through performance involves natural instead of overly theatrical behaviour, despite actually primary actor or modeling. It also gives casting directors and producers the chance to evaluate kids' personalities, as they blur the line between themselves and the role they are trying to get for the time of the audition.
Parents can help their kids deliver authentic performance by encouraging them to thoroughly memorize the given script. It allows the child to take focus away from reading and following the instructions and refocus on their actions on the audition stage. It can be especially useful to younger kids who may not be proficient readers just yet, and thus may struggle to efficiently read lines and perform at the same time. Also, kid performers should be helped to understand their character beyond just the given part, as it will help them to better relate to it, ultimately making it easier for the audience to connect with the performance as well.
Versatility
As kids are only at the very beginning of their artistic output career, it would be ill-advised to make them focus on only one specific genre within the chosen performative entertainment field. Besides keeping child actors’ or models’ options open, the show business industry itself is getting increasingly wider and wider, with many new media and platforms taking their place within the scene. In 2026, showbiz will be more diversified than ever, with stage and runway performing, film and television content coexisting with many new modern digital content types.
This is why casting directors and producers are looking for kids who are prepared to diversify what they bring to the table. It is an extremely valuable trait for a kid actor to be able to do both drama and comedy, or a child model to be able to do both walk the runway and pose for shoots.
Skills that go beyond traditional acting or modeling can really help the kid with casting calls and auditioning success as well. Amongst such skills can be other performative arts like dancing or singing, or even seemingly unrelated abilities in, e.g., athletics. It will likely signal to the casting staff that the respective kid is adaptable and prepared to learn, thus increasing their chances of getting further opportunities with the project.
Digital Savviness
The casting process has been getting increasingly digital in the past few years. While in-person auditions are still a highly regular format, it is undeniable that much of the process often now takes place online. Searching and applying for casting calls through the world wide web has already established itself as the most convenient and efficient way for parents to help their kids find new acting and modeling gigs. Meanwhile, remote auditions and even self-tape auditions have become a more common way for casting directors to review kid candidates as well, marking a significant shift for the decades-old process.
This means that at least a certain level of digital content knowledge for the kids and their parents is now becoming an industry norm. Of course, being an influential content creator with millions of followers is not a realistic requirement, and never will be, but being able to use basic digital tools and internet platforms in certain cases can determine whether the performer will have a chance at competing for the acting or modeling gig.
Amongst such digital knowledge is how to create and maintain a professional kid actor or model portfolio, how to accurately shoot and format a self-tape audition video, and more. As the first introduction to the child performer in most cases will be through online information, it is essential to be able to leave a promisingly good impression without actually meeting the casting directors, producers, and other industry professionals.
