My Child Wants to Be an Actor - Where Do We Start?

Your child has said, “I want to be an actor!” But what comes next? Drama classes? An agent? Headshots? Spotlight? And do you really need all of it straight away? In this episode of The Drama Coach Podcast, Lisa Southam helps parents make sense of those first steps, with practical advice and a reassuring reminder: there is no rush. From finding opportunities to learn to supporting auditions and handling disappointment, this episode is about helping your child develop at their own pace while protecting their enjoyment of performing. In this episode, Lisa covers: Starting with your child’s love of acting and the work it involves. Why training and experience come before chasing representation. Choosing what your child needs now, without buying everything at once. Understanding how audition opportunities happen and what agents can realistically do. Recognising emotional and practical readiness for representation. Supporting self-tapes without becoming your child’s director. Getting familiar with licences, schooling, safeguarding and the questions parents should ask. Keeping drama fun and making room for other interests. Responding to rejection in a way that builds confidence and resilience. Letting go of comparisons with other young performers. An agent represents the performer; they don’t create the performer. The starting point is somewhere your child can learn, explore and enjoy acting. Whether performing becomes a profession or remains a much-loved hobby, the confidence, creativity, communication and teamwork developed through drama have value far beyond an audition. Explore the podcast’s back catalogue for more on agents, casting platforms, self-tapes, safety and training. If this episode helped you, follow The Drama Coach Podcast wherever you listen, and leave a rating or review to help other parents and performers find the show. Music: Soft Music 295878 by Nastelbom from Pixaby