Child Actors Handling Audition Rejection & Anxiety was an article Hollywood Mom Blog originally posted 5 years ago – but it’s just as appropriate today.
You get the call. Your agent says “Your daughter is perfect for it,” or “Your son is exactly what they are looking for.” You and your child both begin to fantasize that this is the call you’ve been waiting for, and that his is the BIG BREAK! As your daughter or son prepares for their audition, their worries also begin. You may hear things such as:
- “I wonder who else will be there auditioning,”
- “I wonder what other shows have they’ve been on?”
- “Is someone else at this casting call better for the part?”
- “Will I remember all my lines?”
- “WHAT IF I DON’T GET THE PART?”
Your child can become self conscious and begin to doubt herself as her anxiety increases. As parents we never want to see our children unhappy. When they are sad, we are sad. When they hurt, we also hurt. It is our job as parents to recognize and contain our own personal thoughts and reactions, so that we don’t project our issues and fears on to our children. It’s important to validate your childs’ courage by reassuring him or her that they are brave by taking risks and stretching beyond their comfort level.
Help your son or daughter understand that they may not get chosen and not because they didn’t perform well, but because they didn’t fit the part for which they were auditioning. Assure them that it is not personal and that they may have to go on many auditions before they get “that part.”
Keep in mind, if your son or daughter doesn’t get the part, now isn’t the time for “constructive criticism.” Instead, try the following;
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Acknowledge their feelings
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Support the process: offer classes to enhance their skills and self-confidence
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Stay real: don’t give them false hope and teach them that it takes perseverance to achieve their goals.
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Understanding that disappointments pass and things will get better and more opportunities will come their way
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· Resilience: teach kids the importance of bouncing back quickly
Most importantly, encourage them to stay on their path. Remember that you are enough and that the love you give and the belief you have in your kid is what it takes. Now go and take her out to the movies. Enjoy!
Hollywood Mom Blog Contributors Jody Frank and Cindy Busto are Licensed Clinical Social Workers, and the directors of West Coast Counseling Center. To contact the center, please call 310-475-0223 ext.2#/3#, or visit their web site at www. wcccla.com
Hi my name is Caitlin Sharpe I am represented by BNA Talent in Nashville, Tenn. . My mom Shantle Sharpe recieved this email from my agency, read over it and let me read it. I find this VERY VERY helpful. I have not got “job” yet or an audition but during the Showcase in Columbia, SC where I was picked up by Josh owner of BNA Talent I had all these questions. I practiced very hard to know that I would do my very best and we prayed ALOT. My mom stood by me no matter what I was feeling and I feel that, that was very helpful. She didnt push me in any way, which made me push harder. I think that if I would’ve been pressured in anyway I would not have done so well. I just wanted to say, Parents please don’t push us too hard because even though this might be our dream it is very easy as kids to get overwhelmed and that doesn’t help when our nerves are shot. We know that ya’ll love us and only want the very best, but you have to know we are on the same side. We want that to. Everyone wants to be famous, just remember, let us figure some stuff out. And if you’re reading this mama, THANKS for supporting me and NEVER pushing me too hard and for giving me my own space to be all that you already know I am. And also thanks to Ms. Frank, and Ms. Busto for all that you do and for sharing this IMPORTANT message. Sorry, I didn’t mean for this to end up so long but I just thought everyone needed to read this article, and to tell you how much this really means too me. Thank you ALL 🙂