To push or not to push?

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It's really interesting to hear your viewpoint Will! and I wonder what my children would have said when they were younger. My dd would have really liked to have pursued professional work and pestered me to help her find opportunities, but it really wasn't very practical for us - she did do a couple of paid jobs (corporate video type) and went to a few big open auditions because she was so keen to do so. She did a lot of amateur, but fairly high level, music as well as lots of local amateur music, dance and drama. She had much more vocational "training" in terms of lessons etc than ds (their choice). My ds wasn't interested in professional work really I don't think - mainly because he was so busy filling his life with all the amateur opportunities he could. DS is now working in the profession and DD isn't.

Jomist I think that if your dd is currently enjoying her amateur performing and she is not pushing you to find her professional opportunties then I'd be inclined to breathe a sigh of relief and continue to support her as you are doing in her amateur work. Amateur work can provide fantastic opportunities and fun, as well as the possibility of improving skills. It also tends to fit in a bit better with "normal" family life and education.

I imagine her stage school is delighted to see such a talented performer and I'm sure they are encouraging and supportive. However, their priorities won't be the same as yours . An agency does have a vested interest in a child getting paid professional work... It's always worth keeping this at the back of your mind when you listen to their opinions/encouragement.

I should keep on pushing with the auditions as its only going to take for one person to see her and like her etc etc and that will be it.

I don't think I agree with the school/agent view on this, to be honest - or at least I would say that's too rose-tinted a view and not realistic. I'm not convinced this is how the profession works at all. It's true that it only takes one person to see her and like her for her to get ONE job. It does NOT follow that one job leads on to another and I think this kind of view can lead to a lot of disappointment. Of course professional experience on a film or TV set is going to be valued when CDs are considering who to call in for castings etc and of course someone's "marketability" as well as ability will be a driver in how much work they get. However, there are so many people chasing jobs. I think that when so many of us on this board say "oh, there you go, the part has gone to a "name" again", we are usually ignoring the many, many "names" who have NOT been successful. Experience helps and being seen by the right people is important - vital even. However, there are no guarantees in this business - none at all.

I would be led by what your daughter would like to do. If she is happy and fulfilled you are probably doing everything right!

[riverdancefan]

Interesting to listen to James Corden today speaking on the Chris Evans Radio 2 show,
As a youngster, he trawled back and forth to auditions, supported in his decisions by his parents, and never landed a decent part as a child performer, the disappointment and anguish is still sitting with him now..
No-one can dispute his success now as an adult
He was encouraged to keep attending is drama school and improve technique etc, and look where he is today..

PG is so right, for whatever reason she may not be landing paid jobs now, (my DS knows how she feels) she is still being cast successfully and clearly has talent, keep her enthusiasm going , keep improving and her time will definately come I am sure of it

[Hecouldshine]

My ds and dd mixed race asian as well so I thought I would just comment from our experience.

I agree that mixed race children don''t audition for Chitty/SOM/Mary Poppins - they have no h/o colour blind casting. But depending on where you are, there are other shows/musicals that are open to her to audition- If you are based within the M25 there is the Lion King, Billy Elliot later, if her dance is up to it, Wiz of Oz, the touring Oliver, Matilda, I would think....getting stuck now! If you live in a remote county( like ours!) then the opportunities for her to audition for professional productions are fairly infrequent anyway. Ds has had a fair number of parts/solos in touring productions that came via his stage school, and also does alot of dance and music training/performing. Dd has done the local panto and some opera. For none of these did being mixed race matter.

I agree that the magic age is 8 years, the other magic figure is 5 foot- In other words more opportunities over 8 years until she reaches 5ft! Then it all dries up again as far as stage productions are concerned. I'm sure it is different for TV and film but I have never had the time to take children to castings! I understand that there is a shortage of mixed race/asian children on the agencies' books. We've never tried agencies...just been happy with the odd open audition and local opportunities. D

What I do get cross about is the problem finding shows with other mixed race/asian young people in for ds and dd to see. Shan't rant on about it on here as I've said it before, but I don't think our West End shows reflect the ethnic make-up of this country!

[bruno2]

Dd was a sewer kid in Cardiff there were a few asian children in the cast. Good luck, sit back and enjoy it .

[mummyofmylittlestar]

We just had an email advertising a local professional production of The South Pacific but are in the opposite situation. though dark haired my dd is White British and actually very pale, so I guess they are all held back by their ethnicity in many ways. The King and I is on tour at the moment is that not coming near you? xx

[Fruitcake]

Jomist - don't encourage her to take up the tambourine or triangle...........it might just lead on to a full drum kit, and, believe me, it's no fun transporting one of those around everywhere!!!

Seriously, though.....if your DD is quite happy doing all the am dram stuff, then I think, at her age, that's perfect. If she turns round to you in a few years' time and asks if she can take it to the next level, then that would be something you could look into at that stage.

As you say in your last post......let her just enjoy being a 7 year old until she 'pushes' you to do more! I know it's really difficult when you hear of all these other DC taking part in professional shows etc, but it's not always all it's cracked up to be, and success/experience as a child rarely has any bearing on success as an adult.

[Flosmom]

My advice would be, don't push, but don't give up. Just raise your antenna a bit so you spot the things that are just right for your little 'un. You'll save her a lot of heartache and yourself a lot of time, energy and money.

Having a clear, distinguishing feature can be a blessing. Your dd is not one of the crowd, so sending her where the crowd goes won't work. But taking her, carefully, to where what she has will be valued and appreciated may serve you both well.

But - just to be clear - casting requirements bear down in all sorts of ways. There is absolutely no point in me pretending that Flo is blonde, or short for her age, or speaks with an authentic cockney accent, because she isn't and doesn't. But when they want a curly brown haired brummie that looks a bit cheeky and sings like an angel - she's your girl.

So, tread carefully, but keep stepping forward. The opportunities are there.

Good luck

Deb x