Your Child Wants To Be On Stage? 'Be Ready For Disappointment'

Performing arts is not for the faint of heart. Discipline, hard work, perseverance, and grit are characteristics crucial in pursuing a path in the performing arts, and who better to teach them these things first than their own parents. Here are two moms who are sharing their insights and wisdom with those who have a child who wants to be a performer.

Be ready for disappointment

When the young actor set to play Young Simon in Atlantis Theatrical’s Kinky Boots backed out due to conflict in schedule, Pablo Palacpac, who joined the company’s workshop that summer, was asked to take his place. Without hesitation, he stepped into his first professional role and went on to reprise the character a year later. Before Kinky Boots, Pablo also auditioned for Matilda, the Musical, which became his second major project.

Pablo had only been warming up to the stage when puberty hit, and his voice matured. It cost him a lead role in an international musical and forced him to embrace the training season early in his career.

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Pablo’s mom, May, reflected, “Disappointment is an inevitable part of the process. At first, it can be painful, but it’s a good lesson to learn that life in theatre, or in general, can be unpredictable. You have to learn to roll with the punches. As a parent, there’s nothing you can do but stand by your child until he gets back on his feet.”

Pablo is homeschooled, which makes it easier for him to work out his priorities. He works with a voice coach, joins acting workshops, and trains six hours a week in ballet at Ballet Philippines. He is currently rehearsing for the year-end recital at the CCP on December 15. Pablo hopes for a chance to perform with the company in the future.

May says, “It is hard to determine how your child’s career will pan out in 10 years or so. What you can do is to prepare him for when the next opportunity comes. But most of all, raise him with godly values and character, and to be thankful for every opportunity to perform, big or small. Character is important, no matter the outcome.”

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A parent’s role: Guidance

Emeline Guinid, a stage actress, knows money is the biggest challenge to supporting a child in the performing arts. And she has not just one but seven kids who are all artists in their own right.

Leo, her eldest son, is part of Repertory Philippines’ most recent offering, The Quest for Adarna, a grand adaptation of the popular Filpino classic, Ibong Adarna. Carl is a writer and a BS Psychology graduate. Tristan is a visual artist and a product of the Philippine High School for the Arts (PHSA). Lance is a Ballet major who is also studying at PHSA. Chantel is a stage actress who debuted in Matilda, the Musical, in 2017. And then she has two little girls who are both taking ballet classes.

Emeline says, “We’ve always told them, whether it’s about school (education is still on top of our priorities), or their passion in the arts and their love for sports, they will have our unwavering support.”

According to Emeline, there was no question their children were going to be artists. “We felt it. We already saw the passion that they have for their respective interests. We only gave them a small push, big support, and lots of encouragement.”

Emeline says it was her husband, a military man, who told her to “enroll the kids in workshops, to further hone their talents.” 

For Emeline, one of the best things about having her kids in the same industry is being able to work with them. In Matilda, her daughter, Chantel, shared the stage with her as Hortensia, one of the revolting kids. Milay played Mrs. Phelps, the kind librarian who helped narrate the story.

“There’s a sense of fulfillment when you see your children happy with what they’re doing, and they become young achievers.”

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When asked how she sees her children 10 years ahead, she emphasizes the importance of discipline. “If they stay focused, disciplined, and hardworking, they will be successful.”

She addresses parents of kids aspiring to be in the performing arts. “If they love what they do, that’s their world. Guide and encourage them and give them all the support.”

Learning the performative arts, like dance, is more than just a way for your little one to have fun. Click here to learn about how dance can help your child.

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