Does your child always land roles in school plays? Or do you consistently find them acting out the scenes they’re watching on TV? If you’ve decided you're going to help them turn their passion into a career, or at least give them more opportunities to perform, you’re probably wondering how to get their talent seen. The answer, broadly, is through auditions.
The UK offers countless opportunities for budding young actors, whether their dream is to perform on a West End stage, on a long-running CBBC drama series, or in the next big supermarket advert. But navigating the landscape can be daunting. This guide will give you a clear roadmap on how and where to find child acting auditions in the UK.
The world of child acting is both exciting and competitive, and if you’re keen for your child to become a professional, then remember it’s as much about the journey as the destination. Some children will never be invited to audition, and some who audition regularly may never secure a role, so you have to enjoy the process and not get too hung up on getting the job. See every audition and self-tape request (an audition you tape at home) as an achievement, and if you don’t hear back, move on to the next opportunity. Rejections can help your child actor build resilience, while auditioning should help their confidence grow over time. Here are the main avenues through which you can find auditions for your child:
- Online casting platforms
- Acting agencies
- Social media and networking
1. Online casting platforms
Online casting platforms are a good first stop for finding child acting auditions in the UK. These platforms provide a centralised location for casting calls, and you can set up alerts so you receive emails when suitable opportunities are posted, making it easier to find acting opportunities for your kids. You’ll need to upload a headshot of your child and some basic details, such as physical characteristics, location, and accent. The other main online casting platform in the UK is Spotlight, but unlike Mandy, you can only add your child to it once they’re represented by an acting agent.
2. Acting agencies
To access the most exciting and high-profile child acting auditions in the UK, consider joining an agency. Many acting agencies specialise in finding auditions for children. Once signed, your child’s agent will submit them for any suitable roles, manage audition invites, and deal with licensing, contracts, and payments. (All children under 16 need a performer’s licence to engage in professional performance activities. These are issued by your local council.) As well as sourcing opportunities and opening doors, an agent manages the administrative work of your child’s career.
3. Social media and networking
Social media has become an invaluable tool for finding child acting auditions as casting directors regularly announce casting calls directly on their social media feeds or stories. Research and follow directors who are active in child casting; the Casting Directors' Guild lets you search the keyword “child casting”, while the Casting Directors Association lists all its members. Search whether they’re active on X (Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn, and follow them wherever they post about upcoming auditions. You can also follow hashtags such as #CastingCall and #ChildActors on X and Instagram for real-time updates.
Some parents of child actors and models manage Instagram accounts for their children. If you choose to do this, you need to be careful about the kind of images you post. Be sure to check out the profiles of those who follow your child’s account to keep them safe. Instagram requires everyone to be at least 13 years old before they can create an account, and accounts that represent children under 13 must clearly state in the account's bio that the account is managed by a parent or manager.
If you are interested in specific areas of the industry, here are some names to get you started:
West End theatre
- Jessica Ronane Casting looks after the casting for a number of West End shows, including Stranger Things: The First Shadow, Matilda the Musical, and the Old Vic’s A Christmas Carol. She tends to favour X over Instagram, but she generally posts on social media when she is casting child actors. You can also register to hear information about Matilda auditions on her website.
- Grindrod & Burton Casting specialise in casting West End and musical theatre tours. The company has cast child roles in productions such as MJ the Musical, the tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. They post most frequently on X.
TV commercials
- Kharmel Cochrane Casting regularly posts on its Instagram page when founder Cochrane is looking for child cast members for commercials, TV, or film projects.
- Mark Summers Casting regularly posts casting calls on its Instagram and X feeds. You can also find casting calls on its website.
- Hammond Cox Casting regularly casts children in a host of big-brand commercials. Follow the company on X, where it often posts its niche casting calls.
TV and film
- Nina Gold Casting is known for placing children in big TV series, such as Game of Thrones, and major feature films, such as Wonka and the Paddington series. It often posts casting calls on X.
- Lucy Bevan and Emily Brockmann were responsible for casting the Matilda the Musical movie, and the pair have lots of experience in child casting. X is also their platform of choice for casting calls.
Rob Kelly Casting casts children for lots of BBC shows, including Malory Towers, Creeped Out, Dodger, and Phoenix Rise. He has an audition-only theatre school, House of Talent, and often advertises free tasters on his X and Instagram accounts.
While online casting platforms generally vet the casting callouts they receive, if you are finding audition notices on social media, be careful to check they are legitimate. You can check if a production company exists by searching for it at Companies House. As a general rule, you will never be asked to pay to audition or to join a legitimate acting agency, and a child will never be asked to audition in a state of undress or to send photographs other than a headshot or clothed full-body picture.