Do the parents sit in on the class?
No, it’s very important to us that the kids feel relaxed and have the confidence to try new approaches. In a class we aren’t always looking for a finished product but are exploring ways to get to there. Knowing that a group of adults will be standing in the back of the room watching playback, might make some kids self conscious, and afraid to take risks. Some parents feel uncomfortable having other parents watch their child. Other parents jump to conclusions about their child’s work which may not represent the whole picture. It’s our strong belief that every actor is a work in progress. The class is a time to experiment and we stress that it’s okay to try different things. We do critique the work but it’s done in a very supportive way. We strongly believe in positive reinforcement.
My child is a beginner. Is this class right for my child?
Yes, whether you child is experienced or a beginner we take each child through every step of the audition process. Often we’ll discover that children who’ve have a lot of stage experience, need to work on adjusting their performance for the camera. We do spend a considerable amount of time teaching how to modify a performance for a close-up.
What’s the next step after completing the commercial class?
After completing our kids classes, we offer other options as your child grows and matures in their craft. It is highly important that your kids continues to study and grow. Once they're 12 years old, they may come to our weekly theatrical workouts, and at 16 years old, can join our weekly commercial workouts and adult classes!
Is there homework?
No way. We stress that this isn’t school. We also stress that it’s okay to make mistakes and sometimes making a mistake is actually a breakthrough moment.
How will I know how my child is doing in your class?
You can call us anytime and we will be happy to give you feedback on your child’s progress.
Once the class is over can parents still call you for advice?
Yes, and we hope they do.
Can we audit the class?
There are classes that let you do that and if it’s important to you, then you should consider attending one of those classes. Some parents would be uncomfortable having other parents watching their child. The children themselves might feel self conscious. During class, we want the students to feel comfortable and not like they are “performing” for one or two observers.
What if we have a class to make up? Won’t my child feel behind?
There are often a couple of children making up a class, so your child won’t be the only new kid in class. We go over the basics of auditioning every week. In addition to being convenient for parents, allowing make ups creates a slightly different dynamic every week. This reflects the reality of auditioning: it’s good to get accustomed to working with a wide range of other children.