Myself and ten year old needing advice
Thu, 18 Dec 2008, 07:42 amKeehan5 posts in thread
Myself and ten year old needing advice
Thu, 18 Dec 2008, 07:42 amI was hoping to receive some advice from you all. And thankyou in advance for your time. My son is ten (11 in a couple of months). he has just finished with his end of year play at school in which he was chosen by the staff to help out in the younger childrens play (he's dependable in this way) he is basically chosen for the leads every year.
His teachers, and as I have been told over the years also the members of our small town are surprised I havent put him into a 'Company'. To be honest, I do not know anything about theatre nor where to begin.
He did a year of ballet when he was little because he was so agile and loved to dance at home . He's been playing keyboard for many years which ironically has just gotten him kicked off the school band because he becomes bored with notes and prefers to play by ear.(he learnt Fur elise and recently Mozarts turkish march by ear) I dont' see the problem but in the music world that's apparently a problem.*shrugs* He's happy just doing his own thing. :)
Now to the crux of it...........I do not recognise my boy when he acts, he becomes a completely different individual (kind of scary for a mother who's used to an introverted child) I'm a bit concerned about auditions and signing him up to an agency because he's so introverted that it comes across as quite rude and I'm afraid that it will go against him. (Does it go against children who are shy?) But give him a character and tell him what the story is and he's off and running. So how does it work in the theatre world? Is this common in children within the theatre world.?
All I can say is that my child "will just die" (< ----- Yes I know, rather dramatic) if I don't allow him the oportunity to do something with his "talent?".
I'd like to ask direct questions but unfortunetly I don't even know what questions to be asking. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thank you
meg.
Hi I agree with the above
Thu, 18 Dec 2008, 04:17 pmWalter Plinge
Hi I agree with the above comments, but I can understand,
my son who is 12 in March, is the same, off stage a bit shy, but get him on the stage, and bingo, off he goes into the character he is supposed to be.
My boy has been performing since 7.
We took him to a dancing school, where he did classes in classical, theatrical, and tap, which he just loves tap the best.
Also we take part in the local theatre productions, which has helped in to no end, as you know kids, they dont do what parents tell them, they need to hear from others, esp in the business.
He started out doing chorus work ( still will do chorus)
in king and I, state fair, and wizard of oz, seussical, and was lucky to gain a lead role in Music Man and just recently a hugh lead role in Mother Goose,
All these were with the local theatre clubs.
great exp.
Dont touch agency till 18, let them still be a child, we have managed to combine both and it works, too much of anything is not good
I would def look at going out of school to do shows, and audition for lead roles, as if the only place he gets leads is in school, he may not be able to handle any rejection on the outside, ( and believe me you do get it)
But this does not mean they are not good, directors look for certain people to fill roles and that suit the story line.
SO get in touch with local theatrical clubs, either ring them or look thru your local paper for auditions.
hang but most of all, please make sure, that it is your son that wants to do, it and not just you.
Have been around many many kids in this situation, only there because parents want it, and then the child, does not learn or put heart and soul in to it
good luck with , it my boy loves it he has been performing for 5 yrs now, so we know he loves it, has esp a boy, if he didnt he wouldve quit.
dont worry if he is a bit shy, as long as he is not when it matters, my son is a bit shy to, and to be honest, i have found, big heads, dont go down well anyway
good luck