Acting for my Son

Hello Sandi, Your son sounds like a wonderful, happy little fellow who seems to have been 'bitten by the bug' quite early! There have been a few posts on this site in the past in response to similar requests from parents regarding the best way forward for eager little people. Some of the advice already offered may prove helpful. It must be encouraging to have the Helen O'Grady teacher speak so positively about your son's talent and passion at such an early age and the professional world of acting may seem like a totally logical and natural 'next step'. On that subject I feel there are perhaps a few points to consider further. It is a blessing that your son is so confident and outgoing at the moment. He must really be enjoying getting involved in drama, pretending to play characters and just enjoying moving and grooving to music with other kids. In my humble opinion, I think that's exactly where you want to be with a 6yo child, regardless of how much early promise or 'rare talent' they seem to exhibit. Perhaps the Helen O'Grady system is not the right place for your son at the moment. I have heard good things about this program and I know that it caters for a diverse mix of students who want to improve their confidence, have fun and get an early taste of performance tuition. Maybe there are other avenues that would suit your son better at this time. However, more serious training for a child so young may prove counter productive to his confidence and general enjoyment of performing. Young children can find their way into TV shows, ads and the professional stage. The experience can be enjoyable and profitable and occasionally launch briliant careers. However, days on set can be long, repetitive, stressful and very taxing on young performers. Late nights and limited access to friends, school and family can be a consequence for kids who get in to extended runs of stage shows. I have been on film sets and witnessed tired, bored and exhausted children who are only half way through the shoot. Accompanying them are the equally stressed parents who have also had to be up at the bang of dawn, take the day off work and now have to try and cajole a tired youngster who was 'over the whole thing' 3 hours ago. I'm sure you see what I'm getting at. For the kids who didn't get offered the part there is the reality of rejection after their audition. For an eager, happy, outgoing and performance loving 6yo this may not be the kind of experiences you wish to expose him to just yet. You know your child, how do you think he might cope with the less glamourous and fun aspects of professional acting? I'm not Perth resident so can't recommend any youth theatre schools for you to try. However, perhaps a dalliance in to a more fosuced 'learning environment' may provide you with a more accurate measure of your son's interest and abilities. and there is always amateur theatre to get him in to in the meantime if he's desperate to get out there and entertain the crowds. I hope this helps. Tulipa.