If your child has dreams of starring in a hit West End Musical, a blockbuster film, or a BAFTA-winning TV drama, finding the right representation can be a key part of turning their ambition into a reality. Securing an acting agent for your child will help them to access professional auditions, connect with more casting directors, and navigate the industry more safely. Agents will also negotiate your child’s contracts and fees, and can advise on their career development.
If your little one is serious about becoming a professional child actor, then working with an agent can play an important role in establishing their career. But if you’re a parent or guardian of a young performer with little experience in the industry, you may be wondering just how to go about getting one. This step-by-step guide will cover the process.
1. Make sure your child wants to act.
Before researching and approaching any acting agents for kids, it’s important to establish whether acting is something your child has a genuine passion for. “It’s really important that the want to act comes from the child themselves because they love doing it and not as a pursuit of fame,” says Sarah Hunt, director and agent at the Hunt Academy for Young Actors.
Acting can be a tough profession involving long waits, auditions that don’t lead to jobs, and balancing the time commitments of rehearsing and performing with school and social obligations. Before approaching an acting agent for representation, take the time to speak to your child about the realities of the industry. “Ensure your child has shown a real interest in – and aptitude for – the craft of acting,” Hunt says.
2. Seek out opportunities to act.
One of the biggest misconceptions about how to get an acting agent as a kid is that children need professional credits before an agent will consider them. Many child actors are able to secure representation with little or no professional experience. Agents understand that every child has to start somewhere, and they are often more interested in enthusiasm, raw talent, personality, and potential.
Having some acting and performance experience, however, can not only demonstrate commitment to the craft and build confidence in front of an audience, but also help to establish the answer to Step 1!
Consider helping your child gain more experience by:
- Performing in school plays and youth theatre productions
- Taking part in after-school drama clubs and acting workshops
- Applying for open casting calls
Ultimately, agents “just want to see talent and potential,” says Jane Lesley, lead agent at the Young Actors Agency.
3. Create your child’s acting portfolio.
Each individual child acting agency will have different submission requirements, but it’s generally useful to create a portfolio for your child that includes the following:
- Headshots: A couple of photos that accurately represent your child are a helpful way of visually introducing them when applying for representation. They do not have to be professional headshots. Many agencies prefer home photos at this stage, because they will advise on professional photographers if they take on your child as a client. The photos should be a well-lit close-up of your child’s head and shoulders, shot against a plain backdrop. Hunt recommends avoiding “overpolished or model-like shots,” and she reminds parents that “acting is about character” rather than perfection and that “the thing that sets [your child] apart will be what gets [them] a part.”
- Simple CV: Your child’s acting CV should include their playing age, height, hair and eye colour, any training or performance experience, and any special skills they have (such as singing, dancing, or gymnastics), as well as your contact details.
- Showreel or self-tape: If your child has any video footage of them acting that can be cut together into a showreel, it can be a useful addition to their acting portfolio. It’s certainly not a requirement for child actors seeking representation though. Many agencies ask for a self-tape of your child performing a short monologue as part of their submission process. It can even be filmed on a phone. Make sure to film in landscape against a plain background, with your child’s head and shoulders in the centre of the frame. Ensure that they are well lit, ideally with natural lighting and no harsh shadows.
4. Research reputable child acting agencies.
Some child acting agencies are better than others. When looking for an agent to represent your child, it’s key to do your research. Things to consider include:
- Which young performers the agency currently represents (many agencies represent adults too)
- The projects their existing child clients have performed in
- What experience and industry background the agents have
- Whether they are members of the Agents of Young Performers Association.
The relationship between an actor and an agent is a partnership, and, in the case of young performers, that partnership extends to the parents and guardians. “A good agent is someone who you can work closely with, who knows your child and your family really well,” Hunt says. “Your agent should be communicative, receptive, and knowledgeable about your child – not just as an actor, but as a person.”
She recommends avoiding “agencies that have hundreds and hundreds of children on their books,” because “there is no way you can deliver the correct level of care for vast amounts of children at once.” Lesley also warns parents “never [to] pay to join an agency,” because reputable agencies make their money by taking a cut from their clients’ earnings, not from up-front fees. “Be wary of agents that offer representation without ever meeting the young actor,” she says.
5. Follow submission guidelines exactly.
Every agency will have its own submission guidelines, so, once you have shortlisted the agencies you wish to approach, make sure to carefully check exactly what they want. Some agencies will ask you to email them a covering letter and any supporting materials, while others may ask you to fill out an online form and submit a video. Keep your submissions concise, professional, and tailored to each agency. One of the quickest ways to damage your application is to fail to follow the instructions given, so take care with this process.
6. Prepare for meetings and auditions.
If an agency is interested in representing your child following your submission, they are likely to invite them in for an informal meeting or audition. Avoid over-coaching your child. This isn’t a test, but a chance for them to show their unique personality and love of acting. It’s also a chance for you to suss out whether this agent or agency is the right fit for you and your child. Ask questions such as:
- How many young performers do they represent?
- What types of roles do they typically secure?
- How often do they communicate with families?
- What commission structure do they use?
A good agency should be transparent and supportive.
Bear in mind that gaining representation can take time and your child could face multiple rejections before finding the right acting agency. It is important to remember that agents are looking for certain qualities, age ranges, or looks at any given time and a “no” is not necessarily a reflection of your child’s talent.
If your application is not successful, continue to help your child build on their experience performing and auditioning, and then apply again in six to eight months’ time.
Signing with an agent is only the beginning. They can access more opportunities for auditions and work and negotiate the business side of things, but long-term success comes from a young actor’s commitment to training and developing their skills.