Nohoartsdistrict.com receives many emails from parents wanting to know about acting classes for their children, so we decided to go to the experts.
We decided to interview Loren E. Chadima and Mary E. Kennedy, program directors at the Youth Acting Program who are celebrating their 2 year anniversary at Lankershim Arts Center here in NoHo. They teach a wide variety of classes, including but not limited to, Sitcom, Commercial, Improv and TV/Film Acting. They started this program because they noticed a need to not just coach kids to be great actors, but to give kids the skills to feel empowered in their personal lives; thus, their motto ‘Building Better Kids and Better Actors”, has really caught on. Currently, the trend in kid’s casting is Truth Casting (authenticity: allowing the kid within to shine). For the young actors in this program, their grades, social skills and confidence are soaring, but they are also booking jobs for the likes of Pepsi, Lowe’s, Kelloggs Rice Krispies not to mention such shows as iCarly, Hannah Montana and Eve.
As a result of Loren and Mary’s experience as teachers and working professionals in the industry, I asked them to answer some of the most common questions asked by parents and students….
What should parents look for in an acting school and its teachers?
LOREN: Anybody can create an acting class for kids, so a parent has to listen to their intuition to know if the school and the teacher feel trustworthy and safe for their child - safe as far as environment, as well as, emotionally safe. Is it a class where your child is encouraged and empowered to grow and explore? Or are the teachers critical and didactic? Look for the teacher’s bios, Google their names, ask for references. Reputable acting teachers should have an education in acting themselves as well as some industry credits.
MARY: I agree and I think that what you and I bring to our students is our experience as working professionals. You have directed in the theatre, film and television and I have had a recurring role on ER as well as numerous commercials. For our audience, recently, we also made a feature film together called Creative Differences, which is in post production. So, we know what happens on the set and what it takes to succeed in the business of show business.
What type of class should the child take - Musical Theatre, Commercials, Improv?
MARY: The child’s first class should allow them to focus on having fun. Let them tell the parent what interests them and what they want to take. My suggestion is that the first class or two should have a low commitment, so that if the child finds that they don’t really like or want to act, they can stop. Neither the parent, nor the child, should worry about having paid a lot of money or being committed to a year or two of classes. Choosing the right class also depends on the child's level of reading comprehension. An Improv class is great for the beginning child who is not yet a reader. A Commercial class is great for the beginning student and young reader. Sitcom, Episodic Television and Film classes would follow.
Where should a beginner begin?
MARY: A beginner should find classes that are fun and interesting and again low commitment. They might even want to start by being in a play at school or the local community. Any acting and performing experience is good and it all helps the child. Also, dance, singing, and art classes will ignite the creative kid. All really are important to the actor as it makes the child well rounded.
If a child has a little bit of experience in the industry, what classes should they take?
LOREN: If a child has an agent or manager or simply knows that they want to take acting more seriously, they need classes that give them the tools with which to audition, prepare for cold readings, and how to approach a script and scene study. For example: my class the Brass Tacks of Acting teaches slating and auditioning, how to speak about oneself in front of a group of people, script analysis and the specific acting skills needed for cold readings, auditions and scene study. Other kids, who know they love comedy should take your Sitcom class which teaches audition technique and specific comedic skills for making a performance funny. Also commercial classes are very important for kids that are auditioning for commercials on a regular basis.
MARY: Also a good way for kids to start out is background work. They can observe on set and sometimes be upgraded to a principal role. This is a great way to get their SAG card and experience to put on their resume.
What’s a good age for kids to start taking classes?
MARY: Any age is a good age. If they are 4 or 5 years old they can sign up for my Jump Start Acting and Improv class which teaches the little ones slating, basic commercials, and facial expressions. In this class, we also work on reading comprehension. I advise that kids read with their parents every night. Once it becomes a part of their routine and they see reading is fun, the sides (scripts) will be easier to tackle!
What are some of the things they should be learning at the younger ages, and what should they be learning in class when they are teens?
LOREN: At all ages kids should be learning the same techniques as adults. A problem for child actors is that they are given line readings and told to play an attitude or a result. Then when the child actor grows up the techniques that got them roles when they were kids, don’t work for them as adults, because they know how to create a result, not a role. Kids need to learn the same techniques that are basic to all of the famous acting teachers like Stanislavsky, Meisner and Stella Adler and they are: Intention, Listening and Making the Scene Personal. They are what I call the Brass Tacks of Acting. They should also be starting to cultivate a sense of self. Parents can be fundamental in this. Creating a supportive, creative environment is an important start. Today your kid may love to draw - buy them the easel. Tomorrow they may love baseball - play ball in the back yard with them. Whatever it is, it will create the foundation of self – which is critical to a good actor. A Casting Director wants to know what makes that kid tick and what makes them different from the hundreds of other kids coming in for the role – so being involved in other things besides acting is essential.
In Los Angeles there is no shortage of acting classes, but what else can parents do to support their young actor?
MARY: Get the child involved with community theatre and participate in the theatre productions at school. Call your local cable company to get involved with the local cable shows and PSAs (Public Service Announcements) and check the local College Film Departments. I also suggest seeing live theatre, ballet, music. Go to the museum, the symphony....anything that gets those creative minds working!
How do you help an actor to keep from being over trained and “too” prepared?
LOREN: Unnatural performances come from a child playing a character’s attitude and not their intention. “Too prepared” are kids that have a monologue choreographed with gestures and movements and the words are rehearsed over and over with the same intonation. “Natural and Spontaneous” means that a child responds to the environment and creates new thoughts for every word or line they speak when they speak. Working with an intention instead of an attitude helps to be natural. Memorizing thoughts instead of words creates spontaneity. Also don’t coach your own kid. Hire an Acting Coach. They have more emotional distance and so does your child. And don't over rehearse!!!!! The child shouldn’t memorize the whole scene. They should know it well, but they should only memorize the first and the last line. Another trick, have the child read the scene before going to bed and all night they will be thinking of it in their subconscious. It may sound a bit hokey, but it works!!!
What about on-camera acting classes?
MARY: The child actor needs to be aware of the camera without it intimidating them and they need to know how to work within the frame of the camera, but first, the child needs to be themselves in front of the camera. So we start by helping children to be less self conscious in front of other students and then we introduce the camera. Getting experience in front of a camera is important. Industry Professionals, Casting Directors, Agents and Managers are now saying that an acting reel is an imperative part of any actor’s toolbox. To meet this need, we decided to run an On-Camera Intensive, day camp, August 4-8, 2008. Our students will get the opportunity to be directed by an Award-Winning Director and a Director of Photography that will film scenes/commercials to be edited into a reel. We will also have Casting Directors, Session Runners and Actors as special guests to talk with our young actors about the business and how to get your best performance on film. Our program’s mission is kid first, business second. And we pride ourselves on being a competitive in the area of knowing the ins and outs of the business of show business which we share with our students and their parents.
What do you feel is the biggest misconception that parents have when they enroll their kids in class?
LOREN: The biggest misconceptions are: 1. Their child will be a working actor at the end of class. 2. That acting is something a kid has because they are a ham at home. 3. That “natural” acting is untrained. 4. That parents who have had a few acting classes themselves, know what good acting is and can coach their own kids. 5. That my kid is the next Dakota Fanning or whoever is the next big kid star. Parents need to remember that the kid is who they are. They are the next big star. They are unique, so find those things that make that kid stand out!
What do you think are some of the qualities that successful young actors have that give them a better shot in the business?
MARY: I have noticed that the successful kids are very friendly, outgoing, smart, mature, and confident. Their parents are generally very supportive and trust the child to make their decisions with parental guidance. The successful children are always good in school and good at acting (They have to be, but for some reason, these kids tend to be exceptional.) The most successful kids know how to be authentically themselves in front of adults and the camera; they don’t need permission to express themselves; and they know how to be mature with adults and respectful of their elders, yet free to be themselves. Kids who have parents who let them be who they are and who let them do their thing. Parents have the toughest job in the world, however, in this business, parents are better seen and not necessarily heard. It is best if they express their concerns to the Agent or Manager of the child and let the Agent or Manager handle the business part. A good Acting Coach also works with the parents and guides them as well as the child.
Do you have any other suggestions or advice to parents looking to get their kids in the business?
LOREN: Yes. Check your own motives. Is it you who wants to act or is it the child? If it’s you – take an acting class – I teach the Brass Tacks of Acting for Adults. But if it’s your child, let the child lead the way. If they want to be a working actor they will tell you and show the commitment and interest. If they’re not really interested, try a class or two, but don’t push them.
MARY: I’m going to finish our discussion by adding that parents need to know that an acting career is a long and interesting road. It involves the whole family and is a HUGE commitment! And there is no overnight success. It takes time, classes and practice to be a working actor.
On behalf of nohoartsdistrict.com and the many parents wanting to make the right choices for their child…thank you Loren and Mary.
_________________
The Youth Acting program has many opportunities for the young actor. They offer Industry Showcases and Panels and for the first time this summer, an Acting Boot Camp and an On- Camera Intensive Day Camp, August 4-8.
For more information about the Acting Program at the Lankershim Arts Center – visit www.YouthActing.com.
