Student Blog: Parental Support for Young Actors

Parents of actors are notorious for being unsure of their children’s career choices. I know of several instances where parents deterred their kids from pursuing the arts whatsoever. The fear surrounding a career in acting is reasonable, and although the path can be unstable and treacherous, finding joy and success in this field is by no means unattainable.   

So why are so many parents adamantly against a career in the performing arts? I believe a key factor is simply knowing nothing about what that looks like. I grew up in a small suburban town in Wisconsin. There is a large artistic scene there, but very few people even try to pursue it professionally. Because of this, there is a huge divide in terms of what parents think professional acting is like, versus the reality of the industry.

Another reason parents may not be supportive is because job stability is so low, so being an actor can be difficult financially. You never know when you’ll book something, so it’s common to work multiple jobs in between acting gigs. On top of that, a lot of money goes into training to better your craft- whether that means college, conservatories, or simply voice lessons and dance classes. Not only that but there is no guaranteed reward. It takes dedication and a lot of perseverance to work in this industry, and this can be a scary pill for protective parents to swallow. 

I’ve also found that many parents are in support of their child pursuing acting, but only if they attend a traditional university to earn a degree. There isn’t much you can do with a degree in musical theatre unless you want to teach in a traditional environment. This isn’t to say that four-year schools aren’t incredible for gaining a well-rounded education, but this field is unlike any other traditional career path, and you don't need to pretend that it is. Getting a college degree is powerful for most other careers, but it makes no real difference as an actor. Choosing an untraditional schooling method such as a conservatory does not mean your child won’t be successful in the arts. Many successful actors don’t attend school at all, much less a four-year university. What’s important are the tools you get to better your craft and the connections you can build. 

In my own experiences, I was incredibly fortunate to have a household that was supportive of my dreams. I will admit, when I told them I wanted to be a performer at the age of 11, they didn’t quite believe me because every kid has those kinds of ambitions. But when that dream never faded, they encouraged me. With that support alongside my own personal drive, I was set up for success. My parents helped out as much as they could. They drove me to my voice lessons and dance classes and supported me while I was auditioning for schools. Without that help, I truly wouldn’t be in the same place that I am today.

But if your parents are not like mine, it can be incredibly discouraging as a young actor to have a parental system that isn’t fully supportive. If this is the case for you, I implore you to keep working hard, do your research, and do everything you can to convince them that you can do this- because you can. If your goal is to attend a school for acting, find out which ones pique your interest. Explore colleges, conservatories, and voice teachers, and start determining which cities you might want to move to either for school or after school. If you’re a current student actor whose parents still aren’t fully backing you, just keep working as hard as you can. And if your parents are scared you won’t be able to make money- secure a survival job, but keep auditioning for projects. That way, you can support yourself during your training while starting the process of networking and getting your foot in the door. 

Ultimately, parental support encourages kids to work even harder toward their aspirations. I am incredibly lucky as an actor to have parents who believed that I could do whatever I set my mind to. Because of this, I encourage other parents to take on this mindset with their kids. If you are a parent whose child is passionate about pursuing a career in the arts, find out why they want to be a performer, even if you don’t fully understand. Educate yourself on how the industry works, and how you can help set them up for success. Acknowledge that this career takes time. A breakthrough might not come for a while, but it doesn’t mean they’re unsuccessful as long as they keep working hard and putting themselves out there. As a parent, showing that you trust and believe in your child’s dreams will only strengthen their tenacity as an artist.

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