clients can be seen in Target and General Mills commercials, print ads, and even some feature films.) She is often contacted by parents who are convinced that their darling should be the one modeling new clothes in the next Target print ad; or that their tween could be a breakout star on Disney Channel. Her biggest advice to parents is to keep things professional to avoid jinxing a child’s career. “If I have 10 great candidates who have easy-to-workwith parents, and one child whose parent is difficult, who do you think will get recommended to the casting agent?” “Hoping that your child might get to have fun on stage or in a commercial is a terrific goal,” says Beth Chaplin¸ actor and author of The Acting Biz: A Career Guide to the Twin Cities, “but deciding that your child is going to earn enough to pay off your mortgage is a terrible idea.” She adds, “In the Twin Cities, acting work is sporadic even for adults, and for kids it’s even more so. If your child is lucky and lands some jobs, perhaps there will be enough to start a college fund, but that’s probably about it.”
one word: theater Parents often wonder about the best way to prepare a child for a show business career, and the experts agree on a single word: theater. “School plays, church shows, synagogue revues, whatever lets your child gain experience in front of an audience—that’s good,” Chaplin says. Kelley focused her youthful acting efforts with Minneapolis-based Youth Performance Company (YPC) and was part of
“if someone tells your kid they don’t have what it takes, let it go in one ear and out the other. Just show an interest in your child’s interests, and be gentle in seeing where it leads.” Brian Goranson
@Landmark Center
June 6 | Papa John Kolstad June 13 | Cadillac Kolstad June 20 | Dustin Hatzenbuhler June 27 | Mother Banjo
ALL CONCERTS START AT 12PM & ARE FREE! Sponsored by: www.landmarkcenter.org 75 W. 5th Street| St. Paul, MN 55102
a Fun-For-all at Break-neck Speed www.natureValleyBicycleFestival.com atureValleyBicycleFestival.com World Class Pro Racing Family Festival Kids Fun Races
June 2012 MInneSota FIXed Gear claSSIc 7-9 Blaine
nature ValleY Grand prIX
Benefiting:
13 St. Paul 14 Cannon FallS 15 MinneaPoliS 16 MenoMonie 17 StillWateR
recreatIonal rIdeS 16 MenoMonie
Summer Strong NVBF_Ad_MNParent_QuarterPgH.indd 1
5/9/12 11:18 AM
Informing families and students of resources for a safe and strong summer!
Summer isn’t just a great time to catch up, it’s a great time to speed ahead! The more time students are in school, the more time we have to help them succeed. • We make rigorous academics fun! Summer school programs are available June 18 - August 2 • Hands-on learning techniques, focusing on literacy, theater, STEM and computer lessons • Opportunities for incoming ninth-graders to earn high school credits early, meet future classmates & teachers • Breakfast and lunch served daily at no charge; transportation is available
Learn more and enroll today. Visit www.mpls.k12.mn.us or call 612.668.0000. Mpls Public Schools MNP 0612 H4.indd 1
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