GETTING STARTED
Does My Child Need Acting Classes to Become an Actor?
Acting classes can be incredibly helpful—but what your child needs depends a lot on their age and where they are right now.
BY JENN BOYCE
FORMER HOLLYWOOD TALENT AGENT & FOUNDER OF THE HOLLYWOOD PREP
This is another one where age matters, but overall, yes—I think acting classes can be incredibly helpful, even for younger kids.
Starting around age 4, I love the idea of putting a child into a good, age-appropriate acting class.
Why? Because kids do better when they understand what's expected of them.
Think about it. If your child walks into their first audition having absolutely no idea what's going to happen, they're learning everything through trial and error. What does it mean to take direction? Where should they look? What happens when Casting asks them to do it again but differently?
A good acting class gives them a chance to learn those things before they're in an actual audition.
That can save you a lot of time and frustration—and hopefully help your child start working sooner because they feel comfortable and confident in what they're doing.
Does a 4- or 5-Year-Old Really Need Acting Classes?
Not necessarily.
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I've absolutely represented young kids who started working at 4, 5 or 6 and then we got them into acting classes.
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At that age, a great personality can take you pretty far. An outgoing, playful, confident kid who loves performing and will talk to anyone already has a lot of what we're looking for.
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But if you have access to the right class—one that's fun, age-appropriate and actually teaches skills that will help your child professionally—I think it can only help.
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The goal at that age isn't to turn a 4-year-old into some perfectly polished little actor.
Please don't do that. 😂
We still want them to be a kid!
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We just want them to understand what's happening, be able to take some direction and feel confident when they're asked to perform.
Does My Child Need Acting Classes After Age 6?
For me, yes.
Once kids get older, the expectations start changing.
You can't rely forever on being adorable, having a sparkly personality or being naturally outgoing. Those things absolutely still matter—but as you get older, you have to bring more to the table.
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​And here’s something I think parents really need to understand:
Some roles receive thousands of actor submissions.
I don't tell you that to scare you. I tell you because I want you to understand just how competitive this business really is.
You can't control how many actors are submitted. You can't control what Casting is looking for that day. You can't control whether your child is the right height, look, type or energy for a particular role.
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But you can control how prepared they are when the opportunity comes.
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That's where the right acting class becomes so important.
Training gives your child the skills to make choices with the material, take direction, stay focused and understand what's being asked of them in an audition.
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Because when your child's opportunity comes, I want them prepared to take advantage of it.
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​Remember my rule:
Jenn's
Take
Give them every reason to say YES and no reason to say NO.
How Do I Choose the Right Acting Class for My Child?
And I want to put a BIG emphasis on right.
Not every acting class is going to be right for every child.
The goal isn't to put your child into a class just so you can check "acting class" off your list.
I want them somewhere they're learning, growing, being challenged appropriately and—especially when they're young—still having fun.
Good training shouldn't take away the qualities that made us interested in your child in the first place.
It should help them know what to do with them.
And when your child understands what's expected of them, they're much more likely to walk into an audition feeling confident, prepared and ready to play.
For more context, explore SAG-AFTRA’s resources for young performers.
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