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working as a member of a closely-knit team. He learned that acting, like most things in life, requires discipline.

Seek out auditions. If your youngster can handle rejection, then by all means look for auditions. A great source for casting calls and audition notices is backstage.com, the online version of Variety, the show business newspaper that is hard to find unless you live in New York or Los Angeles. The online version charges an annual fee, but allows you to regularly read notices of auditions being held around the country for parts in films, stage productions and commercials. My son landed a part in a small independent film that is being shot in New York by seeing an audition notice on backstage.com.

Find an agent. Finding an agent can be the next step, particularly if your child really wants to work. Be sure to find a bona fide agent who does not charge anything to represent your child. Real show business agents charge only the company that is doing the hiring, not those applying for the jobs. Once your child does land a job, however, expect the agent to take a percentage of his or her earnings. The best way to find an agent is to be referred by someone else, such as another actor or director with whom your child has worked. Consult the variety of books available on this topic I can recommend The New York Agent Book by K. Callan, which provides clear advice and a list of agents by their specialties.

The Head Shot and Resume. When your child is ready and has done at least some work in show business, consider having a head shot taken. This is especially important as he or she steps up the audition process or wants to find an agent. Head shots are 8 by 10 glossy photos, printed either in black and white or in color. Look for professional photographers with their own studios, a portfolio of their work, and prior experience doing show business head shots. Most photographers will provide you with a dozen or so proofs from which you can choose the best photograph. Then look for a good photo print shop and order 100 copies of your favorite. Make sure the print shop puts your child's name in the bottom border of the photo.
A resume is what you would expect a list of your child's experience, usually listed by date, name of the show, the character he or she played, and the name of the theater company. Just like any resume, put your child's name and contact information at the top. But unlike your resume, you should also list your child's age, height, weight, hair

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