From stage to runway

Lights ... camera ... kids! On March 10, children and their parents will descend upon Tanger Outlets in North Charleston for the Lowcountry Parent Cover Kids event.

This yearly event gives local children their chance to pose for the camera and "audition" for their chance to become one of the models chosen for the cover of Lowcountry Parent magazine.

So does your little one have what it takes to be a cover model? Are they craving the bright lights and big city spotlight?

According to Suzanne Manseau Green of Millie Lewis Modeling Agency, a precocious potential starts at a young age.

"Parents of stars often say their child or teen has been posing, play acting and craving a spotlight since their early years," Green says. "They have a 'sparkle' that is evident."

With more and more competition growing to walk the runways or grace the pages of magazines, it's important for children and their parents to know the perils and perks of the spotlight.

For Charleston Fashion Week Model Coach Michelle Wood, it's imperative to have a strong support system.

"This business is a business of extremely beautiful people that are extremely ugly sometimes," says Wood, who modeled in London, Milan, Paris and New York for more than 15 years for some of the hottest designers, including Armani, Vivienne Westwood, Cynthia Rowley, Chanel, Ralph Lauren, Donna Karan and Bill Blass.

"The girl or guy next to you that you think is your friend, is actually your competition. Agents are looking to make money off of you so you have to surround yourself with people who care and love you, or you will get lost in the shuffle."

Along with a great support system that provides encouragement and emotional stability, education is key.

Green admits that many future stars are high achievers in many areas in their lives, such as athletics, academics, art or community service. To model or perform, a teen should be above average in maturity and self-confidence.

In fact, there's an increase in kids known as "Triple Threats," performers who model, act and dance, which adds to the competition even more.

'Triple Threat'

There are a variety of local acting classes and auditions available, which can help your child become that "Triple Threat."

"Audition, audition, audition. And take classes," says Teralyn Tanner, a teaching artist at the Charleston Acting Studio and Theatre. "In a community like Charleston, where the theater community is so open and giving, it is beneficial to know people. You meet these people through classes and auditions."

Classes are necessary because training is essential for all actors and performers.

"I once had a person tell me that with acting, you either have it or you don't. This is not true," Tanner says. "Yes, you may have a natural gift, however, classes hone that gift into a force to be reckoned with. A natural musician still has to study and train, so does the natural actor."

According to Sheri Grace Wenger of Midtown Productions and the Charleston Acting Studio, classes are a must and so is discipline.

She often warns parents that having their child in a play or film is a large time commitment for both the parent and the child.

"For this extent of acting, make sure your child wants to do it and is able to withstand the hours and discipline involved. The time, talent and discipline required to be exceptional can be daunting. However, if it's something that is truly a passion of the individual child, then it should be supported as much as possible."

Discipline, respect

For Wenger, who has been teaching drama since 1978 and acting since the early '70s, acting in the theater is one of the most exciting arts imaginable. She says not only is discipline necessary, but so is respect.

"Respect everyone involved in the production, especially the director, stage managers, fellow actors and technicians."

Model coach Wood agrees.

"I am constantly telling my aspiring models to leave their egos at the door. I do not need to hear how amazing you are or what jobs you might have done, I need you to show me by working hard and practicing."

Just as promising as the "it" factor is, the biggest disappointment of performing, modeling or acting is the potential for rejection.

For Linda Eisen, talent agent and owner of Coastal Talent, being able to handle rejection properly is fundamental for all actors and performers.

All the coaches and instructors agree. Rejection can make or break a child. Handling it appropriately will help them land future gigs or contracts.

"We all experience rejection, and so parents should treat rejection as a life learning experience. They should not fight it, but talk their child through it. Be there to comfort and tell them to try again next time.

"I don't believe I would've come this far in my career if I didn't have my mother helping me through the rejection," Tanner admits. "Rejection doesn't mean you're not good enough, it just means not this time."

Finally, be sure that this is what your child truly wants. With Green's 33 years of experience, she's seen the ugly side of stage parents and those parents wanting to live vicariously through their child to fulfill a dream they want for themselves.

"The industry does not tolerate stage parents, nor does it thrive with nonsupportive loved ones. Today's parents should be cautious, curious and informed."

Overall, the local experts agree that if you have determination, focus and tough skin, your magazine cover, television role or Broadway show may just be right around the corner.

For more parenting stories and tips, go to www.lowcountryparent.com.