How To Help Your Child Get Started In Theatre, Film Or TV – And What It’s Really Like!

In this next post in our nimbl collaboration series, we’re exploring a slightly different way children aged 11–13 can earn money, not through dog walking or car washing, but through performance!

If your child loves singing, acting or dancing, they may already be dreaming of being on stage or screen. And while it’s not as simple as washing cars or walking the neighbour’s dog, performing can become a genuine side hustle for talented young people, as long as they, and you as a parent, are aware of what’s involved.

This kind of work can be hugely rewarding. It builds confidence, introduces children to professional environments, and occasionally brings in a bit of money, too.

However, it also requires a genuine commitment from both the child and their parents, especially when rehearsals, travel, and regulations come into play.

Needless to say, this job opportunity, suitable for 11- to 13 year olds, won't be suitable for everyone. Not every child has the talent or interest in becoming a child actor. There is a vast difference between young people taking part in a school production, or performing on social media, and being able to perform in a live performance on a theatre stage (or be filmed on a set), in front of hundreds of people, who have paid to be there! 

But that said, there are a large number of young children who do have the talent and enthusiasm to take the next step from amateurs to becoming professional young actors or young performers, and whose parents are happy to support their children to get a head start into the acting industry, and I've been there! 

Let me walk you through it, based on my own daughter’s experience in professional theatre when she was just a young girl.​

Our Experience: My young daughters' theatre run, touring the UK with The Sound of Music​

My daughter was cast as Gretel in a national tour of The Sound of Music at a young age. She shared the stage with Jason Donovan, Verity Rushworth, Connie Fisher and Michael Praed, a fantastic experience and a proud moment for all of us.​

She toured across the UK, performing in different cities, and was away for around two weeks every month for well over a year. 

Beyond the obvious excitement of being on stage, my daughter picked up many deeper life lessons and valuable real-world skills along the way. Here’s a breakdown of what that experience taught her:

1. Discipline and Responsibility​

Performing professionally at such a young age requires adhering to strict schedules, including rehearsals, call times, costume fittings, and performances. She learned how to:

• Be punctual and prepared.

• Follow instructions closely.

• Take care of her costume and props.

• Stay focused, even when tired, and they worked very hard, so she did get tired!
  

This kind of structure is something most children don’t encounter until much later in life, so it helped train her child’s mind in the right direction for being a young adult.

2. Resilience and Work Ethic​

Several shows a week in different cities is no small feat. Touring brings tiredness, repetition, and sometimes disappointment (missed lines, tough days, missing home), and she developed:

• Mental stamina and emotional maturity

• Confidence in handling pressure

• The ability to keep going when things feel tough
  

3. Teamwork and Social Skills

Theatre is a team sport. She would have had to work closely with:

• Adult cast members

• Other children in the cast (now friends for life!)

• Stage crew and chaperones

• Directors and musical staff
  

She learned how to take turns, respect others’ space, follow group instructions, and be part of a shared creative process; valuable skills for any future workplace.

4. Adaptability and Independence

Touring to different venues across the UK means learning to be flexible.

• New theatres, new routines, new dressing rooms every week

• Sleeping in hotels, eating on the go, and adapting to different environments

• Coping with missing school friends or the comforts of home

• Having school lessons via a chaperone, rather than being in a school setting, which is very different, and one week being in school, the next being taught in a theatre lobby, and then back to school the next week and so on! 
  

These experiences all helped her build a strong sense of independence and self-assurance, and that's still evident today, at the age of 22. 

5. Communication and Confidence​

Performing live on stage in front of hundreds of people gave my daughter:

• Exceptional communication skills

• Confidence in speaking clearly and presenting themselves

• Comfort in unfamiliar settings or in front of new people
  

She started her theatre run as a reasonably shy child, and wasn't overly confident, but she ended the run massively more confident, happy to network, speak up and voice her opinions far more clearly and wiothy confidence, so it was a massive change in just a short time, but set her up for her later life so well.

As parents, it was a big life change too! 

We didn't expect our daughter to make it through the casting process! We applied because my daughter had attended a local play and saw an advertisement in the programme for child actors on the upcoming tour. She wanted to apply, so we said yes, let's do that and see what happens! We weren't expecting the casting directors to offer her the role. After all, there were a lot of applicants at the auditions in London, and our daughter didn't have much experience at all, and we took her purely for the experience. But she was offered the part and as a result we, as parents had to make sure she got to the dozens of rehearsals in London, and make sure we were able to get her back home again after her rehearsals were over, and they would start in the morning, and finish early evening, so we had to juggle that journey, which was well over an hour on the train, and likely two by car, whilst also working full time! 

It meant a lot of early mornings, late nights, and cross-country train journeys, sometimes multiple times a week, sometimes multiple times a day! We spent weekends travelling to see her perform, and there were plenty of hours spent waiting around in rehearsal spaces or theatre lobbies., I spent many hours sitting in my van in random underground London car parks, near where she was rehearsing, which is even less exciting than it sounds!

When she was on tour, we'd need to go and meet her train at odd hours of the day, or get her to train stations or even airports in time for her to meet up with the chaperones and get on the move, so it was quite the commitment for us as parents, as well as for our daughter. Our daughter earned money on the tour, but it cost us a small fortune in travel expenses, including the costs of getting her to her performances and us travelling to different parts of the country to watch her perform, as well as the costs associated with travel and accommodation. 

The reality? It was magical, exciting, and unforgettable, but it was also hard work, especially for the adults. However, it was a great experience for my daughter, and she also landed her first paying job! 

The best advice I can give, is that the magic of seeing your child perform and develop, both professionally and personally, makes it all worthwhile, but do expect your life to change massively and don't expect your child to become a world-famous actor as a result of your child's side hustle into the world of performance, for riches to knock on your door; it likely won't! 

My daughter went on to work in panto, for several years, but didn't want to become a professional actor, and so didn't take that career path, so our plans to have a rich actor daughter didn't materialise, so we made a financial loss in the end, but it was a hell of an experience for everyone. My daughter now works in the theatre industry, within front of house operations, and is doing very well, and so that theatre experience still led into a 'showbiz' industry, just behind the stage, rather than being on it! 

Is it feasible for your young child to earn money as an actor?

Can Children Aged 11–13 Work in Theatre or TV?​

Yes, but under strict rules.

Unlike other paid jobs, children under 13 can work in theatre, TV, film and modelling, but only with a valid performance licence. This is a legal requirement that must be applied for through your local council before your child participates.

It’s the responsibility of the production company (not you as a parent) to apply, and it covers things like:​

• Rehearsal and performance times

• Absences from school (with permission)

• Working hours, breaks, and travel

• Chaperones and tutor arrangements (for longer jobs)

  
  

The licence is designed to protect your child’s health, safety and education. Without it, a child legally can’t perform or be paid.

Is It Worth It Financially?

Let’s be honest, the pay isn’t high. For most child performers, the income is modest. It might cover travel and expenses, but rarely much more.

What your child gains, however, is something different:

• Confidence and discipline

• Teamwork and professionalism

• Lifelong memories

• And sometimes, a start in the industry

  
  

Some roles pay a fixed weekly fee. Others may pay per performance. Equity (the actors’ union) provides guidance on rates, but payment often depends on the production company, role, and location.

As a parent, you may spend more on transport, accommodation, and snacks than your child earns. So if you’re considering this, do it for the experience, not the earnings.

How Do You Get Your Children to Become Child Actors?​

If your child shows talent and interest in performance, here are ways to explore it:​

1. Join a Local Drama School or Performing Arts Group

Look for weekend drama clubs, musical theatre schools, or youth ensembles. Many offer holiday workshops or stage productions where casting agents sometimes scout for talent.​

2. Audition for Local Theatre or Pantomimes

Many regional theatres hold open auditions for child roles. It's a great way to test the waters and see if your child enjoys performing. My daughter performed in pantomime performances for years at our local theatre, worked with many well-known actors, and now works at that very theatre as a young adult. ​

3. Register with a Reputable Children’s Agent

Some families choose to sign with a children’s casting agency. A good agent will only put your child forward for roles they’re suitable for and guide you through the licensing applications. Avoid agencies that charge high upfront fees. ​

4. Keep an Eye on Casting Calls

Websites like Spotlight, Mandy, and Starnow list open auditions (some may require membership or parental consent). Always check age suitability and legitimacy before applying.​

Legal Requirements at a Glance​

To work in TV, film or theatre in the UK, your child needs:​

• A child performance licence, issued by your local authority. Child licences sound scary, but they aren't really, and if you do get an agent, they can help. 
  

• Permission from their school if it affects attendance. Not all schools are happy for children to be out of school for this kind of thing! Our daughter's education required a lot of organisation due to her being away so much, and not all schools might be as cooperative as her school was. 
  

• An approved chaperone (you can apply to be one if needed). Most big productions provide them.
  

• Health declaration and sometimes a medical note
  

• A maximum number of hours they can work per day or week
  

Key restrictions include:​

• No working before 7 am or after 11 pm

• Limits on total hours (depending on age)

• Regular breaks and rest days

• A maximum number of consecutive working days

• A 2-week break during school holidays is still required
  

For more, visit gov.uk/child-employment/performance-licence ​

Supporting Their Financial Learning with nimbl​

Although your child might not earn a fortune from performing, they’ll still benefit from learning how to manage what they do earn.

With nimbl, they can:​

• See how much they’ve earned from each job

• Save a portion of their income for future goals

• Keep track of what they spend on souvenirs, snacks or travel

• Set longer-term goals, like saving for a new phone or laptop
  

You can top up their card, set spending rules, and even create savings pots for different things, like a performance fund, or a treat after a big show. ​ nimbl wasn't around when my daughter was performing, which was a shame, as it would have been such a convenient way for her to be able to buy the things she needed! Making sure the chaperone had her money for ice cream or sweets was a challenge!

Reflect on the Journey

After the curtain comes down, take time to talk to your child about what they’ve learned from their experience, no matter if it was a 1-hour performance or a year-long role, a main part, or small roles. ​

• What did they love about the experience?

• What was hard or surprising?

• Would they like to do it again?

• What will they do with the money they earned?
  

This opens the door to conversations about budgeting, hard work, and choosing passion over pay, valuable lessons for any child.

Getting involved in professional theatre, film, or television is a unique opportunity that can shape a child’s confidence, social skills, and outlook on life.​

If your child is talented, motivated and supported, it could be the start of an amazing journey. Just be realistic about the time, effort and earnings involved, and stay focused on the experience more than the income.​

With tools like nimbl on hand, even small paydays can turn into big money lessons. My daughter saved all the earnings from her role and didn't actually use them until she had left school. It was a handy amount of money to have sitting there for use in something important. 

This is a collaborative post in conjunction with nimbl, the pocket money card and app for children 6-18