They’re not on the hunt for employment; they’re indulging in playful exploration. As a child hones their entertainment abilities, it could evolve into a hobby. And sometimes, if fortune favors them, a hobby might blossom into a profession, or with some added luck, even a flourishing career! Instead of fixating on job prospects for their children, parents are better off ensuring that their kids have a delightful time developing these entertainment skills.
Legal restrictions bind children, including teenagers, to limited working hours.
Minors cannot legally engage in contracts with businesses due to the potential liability concerns that could ensue from hiring underage individuals. These factors alone complicate the pursuit of entertainment gigs for young aspirants. Some parents may argue that their child performing at a local event is not tantamount to laboring in a factory setting.
Yet even in a factory, there are stringent regulations in place to protect children, safeguarding their rights and ensuring a safe work environment. For young freelancers and their guardians, it’s imperative to exercise sound judgment to discern which situations are perilous and which are secure, not only for their own safety but also for that of the audience.
Picture your child as an illusionist performing a modest fire act.
Suppose they’ve practiced this act countless times for friends and family and are now presenting to an audience at a community church picnic. The weather has been dry, and the lawns are parched and brittle. As the audience inches closer to catch a glimpse of the performance, unforeseen risks emerge.
Imagine the fire torch dripping with lighter fluid spills, seeping into the arid grass. The young performer, striving for professionalism, proceeds with the act, now amidst flammable conditions. If the torch slips, how fast could a fire spread? Are children or pets too near the danger zone? How breezy is it out? All these considerations must be weighed prior to commencing such an act. Even experienced performers can encounter mishaps, which is why taking preventative measures and possessing liability insurance are prudent steps.
Encourage your child to embrace the full spectrum of performance, beyond the mere mechanics.
Mastering a routine is one thing, but children often need to grow their communication skills to truly captivate an audience. These abilities develop as confidence builds and with maturation. While children might be adept at interacting with their close circle, engaging a group of strangers requires a different set of interpersonal skills—skills that many adults find daunting as well.
Children of professional entertainers recognize the diverse expertise needed for success in the entertainment world, and they cultivate these skills early, guided by the wealth of knowledge passed down from their performing parents. Conversely, those who aren’t from entertainment backgrounds may mistakenly believe that mastering the basics qualifies their child to perform publicly—yet without a solid foundation, these youngsters may not truly be ready to take the stage.
At a restaurant where I frequently performed, there was a mother who constantly praised her son’s magic and expressed her desire for him to entertain at shows, parties, and community events.
This boy, at 12 years of age, was agreeable and shy but showed a genuine interest in magic. Fast forward five years: I encountered him as a 17-year-old, socializing with friends. While entertaining his table, I initiated a card trick, and the young man revealed his knack for magic. Recalling the lofty aspirations his mother held for him, it was clear that what truly mattered was the joy and curiosity he found in magic during his youth—not a career drive, but a creative pursuit that enriched his life at the time.
