Kids Agent/Manager for Budding Child Actor? Advice?

[Anonymous]

None of this matters if you aren't in LA.

For film. For community theatre you can be anywhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:None of this matters if you aren't in LA.

For film. For community theatre you can be anywhere.

Just wanted to take a minute to note that there's more to theatre outside of NY than "community theatre." Some community theatres are great, and can give kids great experiences in shows. But there are also regional theatres--professional ones--that might be worth a shot if they're casting children. Toby's, for example, might be a place to look in the DC metro area. Check out TheatreWashington to see listings of theatres in the area; DC has a thriving theatre community.

Besides performing, I echo PPs who have suggested classes. Places like Imagination Stage teach acting technique, so students can begin to create believable characters. The classes aren't all about projecting to the back of the house.

[Anonymous]

Another vote for Imagination Stage. Also the Little Theater in Alexandria is having an industry on-camera workshop next weekend. I think there is a workshop next Friday night for parent/child that discusses the differences between NY/LA/DC

There is an on camera market in DC. It's not as intense or vibrant as NYC or anywhere nearly as competitive as LA. But there are opportunities for someone just starting out. House of Cards, Veep, lots of feature films done in DC.

And if your kid gets serious, NYC is 4 hrs away (less by train) and there are tons of summer workshops.

Tons of theater opportunities for youth here. And acting classes. Look at Imagination Stage, The Little Theater, and Mount Vernon Children's Community Theater. I think LTA is having auditions for To Kill A Mockingbird in the next week or so and is looking to kids to cast. MVCC is good for strictly kids programs. No adults/combo productions. They are cute.

But for on camera work, check out Imagination Stage or NYC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:None of this matters if you aren't in LA.

For film. For community theatre you can be anywhere.

Not true. The child who plays Tom Hank's daughter in Bridge of Spies lives in Delaware. She has done other projects as well. Not based in LA at all.

Depends on the kid. And the talent.

[Anonymous]

This all seems really overboard for a kid who has had one role. Try some summer camps and local theater and see if a) he continues to like it and b) he has legitimate talent

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This all seems really overboard for a kid who has had one role. Try some summer camps and local theater and see if a) he continues to like it and b) he has legitimate talent

I agree. It epitomizes everything that is wrong with DC -- "My kid enjoyed doing something once! That must mean he's excellent at it! How can we monetize it?"

Your kid liked doing an activity. So figure out a way for him to do the activity again. That's all.

[Anonymous]

You be in charge but he prepares some "vines".

[Anonymous]

Any advice re classes at Imagination Stage vs Adventure Theatre?

[Anonymous]

OP, I have a friend in Alexandria whose son is into acting. He has done commercials and print ads. In Jan. he was supposed to be shooting a pilot (not sure if it is a sitcom or drama) for Hulu or something like that. She was taking him to NYC. I think she just started a business to connect kids in this area with contacts in NYC. Maybe I could hook you up with her?

I just googled it -- this is her site: https://www.backstage.com/barbarascheeler/

[Anonymous]

here's another link. http://www.triplethreattalent-midatlantic.com/team/

[Anonymous]

Op here. Wow. This is not what I expected responses to be. Very helpful! I do want to clarify that I never said my son was some acting genius and I wanted to monetize it. WTF, PP? I came on this board saying my son did ONE student film, enjoyed it, seems pretty good at it, and I am interested in next steps. The info about local acting classes is helpful. We are definitely not ready for the agent/manager thing yet. I am just trying to get my sea legs here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This all seems really overboard for a kid who has had one role. Try some summer camps and local theater and see if a) he continues to like it and b) he has legitimate talent

I agree. It epitomizes everything that is wrong with DC -- "My kid enjoyed doing something once! That must mean he's excellent at it! How can we monetize it?"

Your kid liked doing an activity. So figure out a way for him to do the activity again. That's all.

Seriously, so not what OP was going for. Get over yourself. She never said she wanted to monetize anything. But thanks for your typically cynical and nasty comment- much more of a typical jealous/threatened DC parent. Geesh!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here. Wow. This is not what I expected responses to be. Very helpful! I do want to clarify that I never said my son was some acting genius and I wanted to monetize it. WTF, PP? I came on this board saying my son did ONE student film, enjoyed it, seems pretty good at it, and I am interested in next steps. The info about local acting classes is helpful. We are definitely not ready for the agent/manager thing yet. I am just trying to get my sea legs here.

Yet agent/manager was your first instinct of what to ask for, instead of asking for information about classes.

I'm glad you've realized that classes are more appropriate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here. Wow. This is not what I expected responses to be. Very helpful! I do want to clarify that I never said my son was some acting genius and I wanted to monetize it. WTF, PP? I came on this board saying my son did ONE student film, enjoyed it, seems pretty good at it, and I am interested in next steps. The info about local acting classes is helpful. We are definitely not ready for the agent/manager thing yet. I am just trying to get my sea legs here.

Yet agent/manager was your first instinct of what to ask for, instead of asking for information about classes.

I'm glad you've realized that classes are more appropriate.

Enough with the snack down. What do you know about this? The PPS who have kids who do this are suggesting agents. How do you know what is or isn't appropriate? Maybe this kid doesn't want to play Conrad Birdie in some cheesy stage show, but genuinely is interested in film, original scripts, or film making.

[Anonymous]

She didn't ask about an agent in her OP.