How can I find auditions for my 8 year old daughter?

[josh.hill]

Hi everyone!

My 8 year old daughter loves drama at her school and her drama teacher suggested this site as part of the next step in finding some acting which is more professional/vocational.

I've been looking for auditions and casting calls in newspapers and The Stage but have never found anything. I've been searching the internet but anything promising always seems to end up in a link to a site where you have to pay to apply (Starnow, Starsintheireyes etc), which makes me slightly suspicious. I've been searching through NotaPushyMum and I really like your site, however there only really seems to be about one casting call or open audition opportunity posted every month or so. I've also looked at TalentCircle but there is also very little there.

Am I going about this the right way?!

Has anyone got any advice on how to find an audition? Is it a level playing field out there or are things mostly done through contacts and connections?

Thanks alot for your input.

Josh

[snookienoo]

Personally I had to find an agent for my kids. My eldest and youngest are both with acting agents and get work through them. My middle one gets work from sites such as Starnow or things I may find for him. I think if you're serious then you should apply to an acting agency.

[bcnups]

Hello there! You didn't say which area you're in, so any reply would have to be generalised. I do the research for my grandchild, as my daughter works, we don't have any connections with anyone in the Performing Arts, but obviously you learn as you go. I find NAPM really helpful. I imagine you're talking about open auditions? Not that there's loads of those, but like you I trawl the local paper. Rare Productions (Youth Theatre)do musical theatre shows all over Hertfordshire, and hold open auditions. The panto season is in full swing and there are adverts all over the country for cast. As you say starnow.com and starsinmyeyes.tv have stuff, but if you want to apply you have to subscribe, (but at least you can look at the brief before signing up). Screenterrier sometimes has dates/times. You could liaise with a local College, re their media courses, because students make short films for the end of term, and are often looking for children. It's unpaid of course, but you might think its worth it for the experience, and to start a showreel. As for West End, feature film and television work, that's usually closed auditions, so you'd need an Agent. Because the casting director sends out a brief and the Agent will put your dd up for it if she fits the description. I expect there are others on here who have a lot more experience than me.

[riverdancefan]

All the above advice is good,
DS has a mixed of paid jobs and castings and we also subscribe to Starnow as this has proven VERY valuable for us. Some excellent work and showreel stuff to be had.
I have no problem paying for it as I feel their service is very good DS has gained so much from some of these jobs, not to mention the networking which has lead to related work. These people may be the future successful producers and directors of tomorrow and if you make an impact, they might remember you !!

good luck

[francescasmum]

I totally agree with riverdancefan. My 8 year old dd has an agent which she gets work through but I also put her forward for Starnow work. She has had some great experiences through Starnow and this builds up her CV when the'paid work' is slow. She loves acting and doesn't know (or care) if she is getting paid or not. She has had several follow up paid jobs from something she did for free through these types of sites.

[josh.hill]

Really helpful advice - thanks very much. I'll get started with uploading her CV/photograph etc!

Cheers