What to Expect at a Kids In-Person Audition

What to Expect at a Kids In-Person Audition

Following a successful casting call application process, an audition is the next step in order to achieve the ultimate goal of getting the acting or modeling gig. Here you will learn what aspiring kid performers and their parents should know about attending in-person auditions.

• Auditions require thoroughness. From getting ready for the performance to rethinking the visual appearance, kids will have their homework set.
• Even children have to be professional. Despite their young age, attending auditions also means following rules and instructions.
• Expectations have to be reasonable. Things at the audition won’t always go as planned, so it is essential for everyone involved to demonstrate resilience.

1. Preparation Following The Invitation To Audition

Following the process of parents successfully applying their child for a casting call, what follows next is receiving the results from the respective project’s casting staff. In the case of rejection, it is important for parents to ensure their aspiring kid model or actor remains resilient and understands that it is an unavoidable part of participating in the entertainment industry, and only a small setback before ultimately reaching their further goals.

But in this article, we are focusing on the opposite - the amazing news of getting the invitation to continue competing for the respective acting or modeling gig through participating in auditions. While often they may take place online - through a live call, or self-taping - it is very likely that casting directors will require auditions to take place in-person. This means the child has to be prepared before arriving at the given location and stepping on the stage in front of the casting staff.

Amongst the things that a kid should do before arriving at auditions is understand the overall process. Parents should explain to their young performer how they will potentially have to introduce themselves, state other types of personal information, and always answer the questions received by the casting director thoroughly. The aim is to do it positively and naturally, instead of the kid being stiff and serious about the process.

If instructions, including a script, moves or lines, are given with the invitation, those have to be rehearsed and memorized. Not only will it allow the child to feel way more confident during the auditions, but also help them fully focus on their performance rather than multitasking both reading written instructions and performing them at the same time. Though parents should also make sure the kid does not do too many rehearsal attempts in order to leave room for some spontaneous decisions during the audition performance, instead of providing a machine-like delivery.

2. The Do’s And Don’ts Before Leaving For The Audition

Once the day of the auditions has arrived, and the child has prepared for the performance, it is also important that their overall look does not look distracting. Unless instructed differently by the casting staff, as a general rule, it is recommended that performers arrive to the audition dressed casually in clean, plain, and neutrally colored clothing.

The same also goes for accessories, makeup, hairstyle, and everything else related to the look of the kid actor or model. The goal is to give casting directors the chance to properly assess the candidate's natural look, and everything that distracts attention away from it hurts the child’s chances of getting the gig.

Of course, besides the direct craft-related preparations, parents should ensure their kid is well-rested and taken care of before the big day. If possible, they should consider aligning the time the auditions take place with their child’s daily routine, so they step on the casting stage at their peak energy period and avoid risks of getting moody due to fatigue during an overall busy period.

3. The First Impressions Upon Arrival Will Matter Too

While the audition performance is the main thing that the aspiring kid actor or model will be evaluated for, it is also important that the child conducts themselves professionally and respectfully at all times, including during the in-between audition process. This includes arriving at the audition set on time, at least around 10 to 15 minutes before the scheduled appearance, just in case there is some confusion upon entering the venue. Punctuality demonstrates respect to those involved in all aspects of life, but especially in busy settings with many people involved, as often happens at auditions.

It is also important that parents ensure that their child enjoys the process since the casting staff will also note if the youngster seems unhappy about the whole ordeal. Similarly, the kid model or actor should behave, since, despite being a children's audition, it still is not a playground and has a professional environment with industry professionals directly involved. The young actor or model must follow instructions given, as avoiding following rules even before the audition begins can be considered a red flag for their potential behavior later on as well.

Speaking about the kid performer’s parents, it is the general rule that typically only one adult arrives with the candidate at the audition set. As exciting as the process may seem for a child's parents and even their extended family, the auditions typically do not take place in a huge space, which means a large entourage can become a nuisance for the event. The parent chaperoning the kid also should avoid taking charge of communication in their offspring’s place, and certainly should not interfere or interrupt the auditioning process at any point.

4. Expect The Unexpected During The Auditioning Process

Modeling and acting are two fields of the entertainment industry where circumstances can change, and unpredictable events spontaneously occur. It is important that parents are able to manage their child’s expectations for the in-person audition, as well as their own. Instead of voicing disappointment over, for example, sudden changes in the scene, or even worse, a cut scene altogether, everyone involved should take the healthiest and most pragmatic approach and focus on what opportunities these changes can provide.

Similarly, rejection is an unavoidable part of the industry. Parents should explain to their kids that things not going as planned is not because of their lack of talent - sometimes things just go left. As disappointing as it may be for the hard work and expectations to end without achieving the ultimate goal, it is important to quickly move on from it and on to the next casting call, in the process reflecting on what positive gains and valuable experiences have been made from the experience of auditioning for the particular project.