When a kid makes the decision to try theatre for the first time, it can be a surprising experience for both the child and the parent! Having some ideas of what to expect can be helpful. Whether you have any theatrical experience or not, here are some tips to help you understand what you might see over the next few months:

It’s a commitment! (But a beneficial one)

When your child is cast and you see the rehearsal schedule for the first time, you may be taken aback. Being in a show is a big commitment, and as a parent, it often means a commitment on your part, too. Rehearsal schedules can be quite demanding– even as an adult actor with lots of experience, I am sometimes surprised by just how big of a commitment a show can be.

Remember, though, that the commitment is the point. Mounting a show is a huge endeavor, and rehearsal is required to make that happen! Consider your volunteer time an investment in the program. You’re not just supporting your own child, but also everyone’s kids by donating time and energy to the program, even if the least you do is make sure your kid gets there on time.

Theatre is a really wonderful growth opportunity for kids, but that growth is very dependent on parents being able to physically get their kids there! It can be annoying, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth it.

Some pro tips for dealing with the time (and gas!) commitment:

• A carpool setup can absolutely save your life. If your kid has any existing friends in the cast, see if you (or your kid!) can set one up with one of these friends. Fingers crossed, your child will also make new friends who can one day be part of this carpool.
• Pay close attention to the rehearsal schedule you receive. It’s possible that your kid is not called to every rehearsal, meaning they’re not needed every single night. Many rehearsal schedules will include a “call list” listing either the actor or character names of all required to come to rehearsal. How often your child is called is heavily dependent on the role your child has and the nature of the show they’re in, and dependent on the director’s plan. Not every director organizes their rehearsal schedules this way, either. It’s important to pay attention to all communications from the director to make sure you’re understanding who is needed each day and who isn’t.
• Ultimately, though, remember that your child’s attendance all rehearsals they are called for is critically important to their success. It is frustrating to have to drive to the theater every day, I know– even as an adult actor driving myself to my own rehearsals, I often quibble about this– but it’s worth it. Your child will get more out of the process, make stronger connections, and stand out in a good way with the director if they are always present and prepared for rehearsal.
• If there is a night where it is simply not possible to get your kid to rehearsal– something has come up, or your transportation has fallen through– be sure to reach out to either the director or stage manager (the information given to parents at the start of the show should explain who to contact and how to reach them) as soon as possible so the director knows your child will be absent. Think of it like calling off of work– a no-call, no-show is never appreciated.
• If you’re struggling to find time during production week (the week of the show, where rehearsals tend to run late each night), consider reading my Ultimate Guide to Surviving Tech Week.

They will grow in many ways

It’s impossible to overstate how many opportunities for growth theatre supplies. Since every child is different, every child will take different things from their theatrical experiences. Sure, they’ll learn the show itself, but they’ll also develop a number of hard and soft skills.

Naturally, kids may develop better social skills, and gain a new appreciation for collaboration and teamwork. Theatre is also a fun, low-stakes outlet for improving reading and public speaking skills. By exploring technical theatre or theatrical design opportunities, kids can discover and cultivate diverse interests and skillsets through art, technology, and mathematics. They’ll become better connected with their peers and community at large, and will likely make some new friends! Hopefully, they will also become more independent and disciplined. 

Some tips for supporting that growth:

• Take an interest in what they’re learning and doing! Properly encoding and understanding the material learned in rehearsal requires some “homework.” Asking your kid about what they did in rehearsal can be a good way to prompt some at-home practice.
• Exactly what your child needs will depend on the child. For me, theatre helped me learn to be more independently disciplined and assess my own understanding of materials I’m studying. Some kids might learn best when allowed to explore on their own, and some might learn best when scaffolded more directly. Staying in tune with how rehearsals are going can help you gauge how you can best support your kid in the process.
• Remember, the more committed they are to the process, the more they will learn and grow. It’s important to make sure your child can make it to rehearsals so they can learn what they need to learn!

They’ll Make new Friends… And you Might, Too

Your child will be spending rehearsal time bonding with their cast mates. These bonds can be super strong, and can form very quickly! Don’t worry that your kid won’t make friends in the show: it’s almost inevitable that they will, at some point of the process or another. The actors just spend too much time together to not form some kind of connections.

Meanwhile, you may find that in the time spent picking them up and dropping them off, participating as needed in parent meetings or volunteer sessions, or attending shows and recitals, you may just develop some new friends of your own! Many school theatre departments request volunteer assistance from parents, and  community theaters are always in need of extra assistance. If you’re looking for a new social hobby that allows you to practice some new skills, your child’s theatre participation may help you out!

• Theatre friendships can be really great for young actors! Making friends with other actors encourages kids to continually assess and better their skills. Just make sure that the friendly competition that arises between theatre peers remains friendly– don’t let your kid talk badly about their own skills, or about other actors!
• Keep an eye out for any calls for parent volunteers. This is a valuable opportunity to support the program directly. Just remember that volunteering your time doesn’t guarantee anything in return… some parents think volunteer hours can be bartered for better roles for their children, which is definitely not the case.
• There are a variety of ways to volunteer, and volunteers are needed at all different stages of the rehearsal process. Regardless of your skillset, there’s almost always something for you! Even if you don’t have free time to contribute, some donations are almost always welcomed, whether monetary or physical goods.

It might be frustrating at times… for both of you

Theatre, especially for young actors, is definitely not always sunshine and happiness. There will inevitably be complications throughout the process. Your child might start to feel burnt out through the process, and you might start getting sick of driving them to rehearsal every night! Remember that the process offers a lot of great opportunities, and keep your eyes on those when you both start to feel the pressure.

• It’s important for both young actors and their parents to keep their emotions in check when feeling burnt out. If you’re tired from all the rehearsal time, the show staff are certainly tired, too! Being temperamental with them may ultimately hurt your chances of participating in future shows.
• Remember that any learning process is going to be frustrating at times. In fact, some frustration is a sign that your child is learning and growing. Allowing space for a little productive struggle is key to developing resilience and a positive work ethic!

They Might Face Some Heartbreak

As in any activity, theatre provides the invaluable opportunity for children to lose with grace. The nature of performance is such that not every child can get the role they want every time. Your kid might be a dancing fork when they really wanted to play Belle, or they might be cut from a performance altogether. Remember that this is an opportunity for growth and learning in itself, and that learning how to get back on the horse is as important as learning not to fall off it.

• How you support your kid when they’re upset over casting can make a big difference. I have an article about what to say when your kid doesn’t get the part they want.
• Generally, it’s valuable to learn that disappointment can become something positive in time. Encourage your young actor to stick with the process even when they’re disappointed! I have an article breaking down why actors should stick around in a case like this.

They Will Exceed Your Expectations

When a kid makes a decision to participate in theatre, it can be an opportunity for both the kid and the parent to grow and learn new things. Ultimately, if you invest in your kid’s interest by ensuring they’re at rehearsals when they need to be, practicing at home as needed, and talking to them to support them through their frustrations, you’ll find that your child will grow more than you expected!

Support your kids, and you may just find the very expectations set by this article smashed.