If your child is interested in acting, or you’re exploring the possibility on their behalf, it’s important to approach it thoughtfully. Child acting can provide valuable experiences, build confidence and develop creativity — but it also requires careful management to ensure your child’s wellbeing, education and happiness come first.
This guide is for parents and guardians curious about child acting in Ireland. It covers how to get started safely, the types of opportunities available, and the rules and protections that exist for children in performance.
Is acting right for your child?
Before pursuing acting opportunities, consider:
Is your child genuinely interested?
The interest should come from your child, not from you. Children who are pushed into acting by ambitious parents often end up unhappy, stressed or burnt out. Make sure your child is genuinely excited about performing, and check in regularly to ensure they’re still enjoying it.
Can they handle the commitment?
Acting, even at a child level, involves:
- Learning lines and taking direction
- Attending auditions and rehearsals
- Working with adults and other children in professional settings
- Dealing with rejection when they don’t get roles
If your child is easily discouraged, very shy, or doesn’t enjoy structured activities, acting might not be the right fit — at least not yet.
Does it fit with their education and wellbeing?
School and wellbeing must come first. If acting starts interfering with:
- Their education and schoolwork
- Their friendships and social life
- Their mental or physical health
- Their ability to just be a kid
then it’s time to step back and reassess.
Ways for children to try acting safely
Local drama groups and youth theatre
The safest, most accessible way for children to explore acting is through local drama groups and youth theatre programs.
These groups:
- Provide structured training in a safe, age-appropriate environment
- Focus on fun, creativity and skill development
- Allow children to perform without the pressure of professional work
- Are usually run by experienced teachers or youth theatre practitioners
Most towns and cities in Ireland have youth theatre groups or drama classes for children and teenagers. This is the best starting point for any child interested in performing.
School plays and drama clubs
School plays, drama clubs and performing arts programs give children a chance to perform in familiar, safe environments. Many children develop a love of acting through school productions before exploring external opportunities.
Workshops and holiday programs
During school holidays, many organisations offer drama workshops or performing arts camps. These provide short-term, focused experiences without long-term commitment.
How child acting work is usually organised
If your child moves beyond community theatre and starts seeking professional work, the process typically involves:
Agencies representing children
Some acting agencies in Ireland specialise in representing children and young performers. These agencies:
- Submit children for auditions for film, TV, commercials and theatre
- Handle bookings and contracts
- Take a commission from paid work (typically 10-15%)
Legitimate agencies never charge upfront fees. Be extremely cautious of anyone asking you to pay for representation, photos, training or other services as a condition of being on their books.
Castings and auditions
Auditions for child actors usually happen:
- Through agents
- Via open casting calls for specific projects
- Through drama schools or youth theatre connections
Auditions should be professional, supervised and safe. A parent or guardian should always accompany a child to auditions and be present throughout.
Professional work
Professional work for children in Ireland includes:
- Film and TV roles
- Commercials
- Theatre productions
- Voiceover work
Payment varies depending on the project, from small fees for local work to union-standard rates for TV and film.
Education on set
If a child is working during school term, productions are required to provide tutoring so the child doesn’t fall behind in their education. This is a legal requirement, not optional.
Understanding rules and supervision (high level)
Children working in performance are protected by rules and regulations. While this guide won’t provide detailed legal advice, you should know that:
Licences and permissions
Children performing professionally typically need:
- A licence from the local authority
- Permission from their school
- Parental or guardian consent
These licences ensure that children are working legally and safely, and that their education and wellbeing are protected.
Working hours and conditions
There are strict limits on:
- How many hours children can work per day
- Breaks and rest periods
- The types of work they can do
Productions must follow these rules. If something feels unsafe or unreasonable, you have the right to ask questions and raise concerns.
Chaperones and supervision
Children on set must be supervised at all times, either by a parent/guardian or by a licensed chaperone provided by the production. Never leave your child unsupervised on set or during auditions.
Where to find official information
Rules and regulations around child performance are complex and can change. Always check:
- Your local council or authority for licensing requirements
- Official government websites for current child employment and performance regulations
- Performers’ unions for guidance on child actors’ rights
Don’t rely solely on what agents or productions tell you. Verify requirements independently through official sources.
Tips for supporting a young performer
If your child is interested in acting and you’ve decided to explore it, here’s how to support them responsibly:
Prioritise their wellbeing
Always put your child’s happiness, education and wellbeing first. Acting should be fun and enriching, not stressful or harmful. If they’re not enjoying it, it’s okay to stop.
Be realistic about success
Very few child actors go on to have long-term professional careers. Most children who enjoy acting will eventually move on to other interests. That’s completely normal and healthy.
Support your child because they’re enjoying the process, not because you’re expecting them to become a star.
Manage rejection carefully
Rejection is constant in acting. Children need help understanding that not getting a role isn’t a reflection of their worth or talent. It’s just the nature of casting.
Help them process disappointment without making it a big deal, and celebrate the fun of auditioning and performing, not just booking jobs.
Don’t overschedule them
Children need downtime, play, friendships and space to just be kids. Don’t pack their schedules with auditions, classes and work to the point where they’re exhausted or missing out on childhood.
Watch for exploitation
Be vigilant about:
- Anyone asking for money upfront
- Auditions or work that feel unsafe or inappropriate
- Productions that don’t follow proper rules and supervision requirements
- Anyone pressuring you or your child to accept work or conditions that make you uncomfortable
If something feels wrong, trust your instincts and seek advice from unions, official authorities or experienced parents of child performers.
Build a support network
Connect with other parents of child actors. They can offer advice, share experiences and provide perspective when you’re navigating unfamiliar territory.
Balancing acting with normal childhood
Remember that your child is a child first, and an actor second. They need:
- Time with friends
- Time for schoolwork and hobbies
- Time to rest and play
- Space to develop interests outside of acting
If acting starts taking over their life, or if they seem stressed, tired or unhappy, it’s okay to pull back. Childhood is short, and no acting opportunity is worth sacrificing your child’s wellbeing.
When to consider taking a break or stopping
It’s time to reassess or stop if:
- Your child is no longer enjoying it
- It’s interfering with their education or friendships
- They’re showing signs of stress, anxiety or burnout
- You’re finding it financially or logistically unsustainable
- The industry environment feels exploitative or unsafe
There’s no shame in deciding acting isn’t the right path, or that it was right for a while but no longer is. Many children enjoy acting for a few years and then move on to other interests. That’s healthy and normal.
Final thoughts
Child acting can be a positive, enriching experience when approached carefully, with your child’s wellbeing and happiness as the top priority. Start with local drama groups and youth theatre, keep things fun and low-pressure, and only explore professional work if your child is genuinely interested and if it fits comfortably into their life.
Always verify rules and regulations through official sources, avoid anyone asking for money upfront, and trust your instincts when something feels wrong. Your job as a parent or guardian is to protect your child, support their interests, and make sure acting enhances their childhood rather than dominating it.