What are some tips for a first time "stage mom"?

Question

My ten y/o son will be auditioning for his first role in a musical next week. He has never acted outside of school plays, and never sang publicly outside of the talent show, but he was "headhunted" for a part in Peter Pan (apparently little boys who want to be in musicals are hard to come by). We've been practicing his song all week, but what other tips could you give me for how to help him do well in his audition?

(Remember we only have a week to prepare, so anything that takes longer than that won't help much)

Answer 1

Always keep the focus on him trying not to make the whole process about you. Make sure its what he really wants to do and its in his heart. Remind him that whatever happens, you're proud of him. Good luck on on everything else ! Just try and relax !

Answer 2

i'm sure you've heard or are at least aware of the pit falls of stage parents...yeah, just don't do any of that c**p. this isn't your audition, your chance to shine, your nerves...this is for your son. the most important thing is that he has fun. if he doesn't have fun, don't make him do it.

practicing the song is great...keep doing that. if he doesn't already, read him the story of peter pan. no, don't watch the movie...sit down with your kid and read him the story, it's different than the movie just like the staged peter pan is different than the movie. also, this allows him to ask questions. if he knows the story and characters, he'll be much more comfortable during the audition. i would even say that after you've read it to him once, try getting him to read with you some of the other parts, not just the lost boys or the kids, but peter's part or even tinks.

keep in mind that there really isn't such a thing as being nervous for a child. children just have straight up honest to god FEAR. they don't think about how silly they're going to look if they mess up or if they don't say a word right. kids just get scared...because they're looking at him OR it's a big stage OR they're tired so do the mommy bit and take out everything that would interfere with him having a good time. if he's afraid or nervous about something, see if you can't get him to define it and then talk about it. also, if you can get in ahead of time, let him get used to the space he's going to be working/auditioning in. actors should do this as well because you'll have to speak differently depending on the room. let him run around the stage and get him to talk to you to challenge his projection...no yelling! he must learn to project.

just keep it simple and fun. do your best to not get nervous because he'll be able to tell that something is up with you and it may make him nervous. be strong, be the mom, focus on him, give encouragement, and take him for a treat regardless of what happens the night of his audition. reward him for trying.  

Answer 3

Sounds like you're the ideal kind of stage mom - I've met far, far too many who are pushing their kids into things that they don't really want to do because the parents wanted it for themselves but never made it, so first up you get a heap of respect for your attitude!

If you're practicing the song with him, there's not a whole lot more you can do!  Just make sure he knows what to expect in the audition; maybe practice the whole audition thing by getting friends or neighbours to come over and pretend to be the auditioners - have him come into the room, say his name and what he's going to sing, then sing it, just so that he knows what will happen and what it will feel like. And if you can get him to smile at the auditioners it's always good :)