The Entertainment Community Fund’s @lookingaheadprogram is proud to provide a community for professional young performers, ages 9-18, to gather for free events, education and support to help you navigate life while working in the industry. Learn more and see if you’re eligible to join at lookingaheadprogram.org!
#lookingaheadprogram #youthmentalhealth #entertainmentcommunityfund #alifeinthearts #childactors
Looking Ahead staff had the pleasure of attending the For Your Consideration movie screening and panel event for @hulu Child Star Documentary. Looking Ahead Director, Chris Smith, makes an appearance in the film along with some of our Looking Ahead program young performers. It was a pleasure to be part of the conversation supporting youth in entertainment. Directors of the film @ddlovato@nicola_b_marsh and Producer @ratty gave Chris a shoutout and recognition to the program during the panel.
Tip of the Day: The key to longevity is 💵 knowledge, health and kindness.
@corbinbleu is the National Chair of the Looking Ahead program’s Advisory Committee and a triple threat with years of experience on camera and on stage. His Tuesday Tip is all about longevity in the industry.
1️⃣ Expand your knowledge around financial literacy to set yourself up for financial success.
2️⃣ Find a balance between work, play and rest.
3️⃣ Be kind. Kindness goes a long way!
#lookingaheadprogram #lookingaheadprogramevents #youthmentalhealth #tipsforchildactors #tipsforyoungpeformers #corbinbleu #entertainmentcommunityfund #alifeinthearts #childactors #childactor #hollywoodkids #hollywoodstars #theaterkids #broadwaykids #kiddancers #foryoupage
Tip of the Day: Prioritize your mental health and nurture your relationships.
During our “What I Wish I Knew” interview with screenwriter, author and podcast host of @scriptnotespodcast@johnaugust shares about the importance of prioritizing your mental health and relationships. Working in the industry is only one part of who you are as a person. You are multi-faceted and making time to nurture your own wellbeing and your relationships will help you to live a more fulfilling life. As minors working in the industry, it can be easy to get caught up in the hustle culture and feel like you can only focus on your craft and art, but having good people around you means you will always win at life whether you book that job or not. Make time for yourself, friends, family and fun outside of the industry!
Thank you to @johnaugust for making time to chat with Looking Ahead youth and families in this inspiring conversation. Looking Ahead members can listen to the full interview on our website. Not a member yet? Register online at to take advantage of our free events, education and mental health support for professional young performers.
#lookingaheadprogram #alifeinthearts #youthmentalhealth #johnaugust #childactor
Tip of the Day: Anxiety is normal and it’s ok to show up as a kid with real feelings.
Looking Ahead Director, Chris Smith interviewed Looking Ahead Council member and former VP of Casting at Disney Cornelia Frame @littlecornframe where they talked about normalizing anxiety. When working on set it is normal and perfectly ok to be nervous and to put voice to that. Child Actors are children first so being human and showing your humanity is a good thing! Everyone has anxiety, including the adults on set! You are not alone in your feelings and you don’t always have to be “On”.
What helps you manage your anxiety? Tell us in the comments! 👇
Looking Ahead members can listen to the full interview on our website at lookingaheadprogram.org.
#lookingaheadprogram #alifeinthearts #youthmentalhealth #entertainmentcommunityfund #childactor
Tip of the Day: Growing up and moving forward is a good thing!
During our “What I Wish I Knew” interview, @mssheff shared about her unique experiences as a Director and Child Guardian on Broadway. Being behind the scenes of several Broadway shows she got to see what it was truly like for youth and production doing 8 shows each week. Her experiences inspired her to create the @anxietyandtheartist podcast where she talks with industry folks about how they manage their anxiety as an artist.
During this interview Allison talked about how important it is to create balance as a young performer and to listen to your body and know that change can be a good thing. Growing up is a positive- FULL STOP! The end of a production, show or film can be a tough transition, but the sooner you realize that endings are also new beginnings, you’ll make room for all the good things to come in your future.
Looking Ahead members can listen to the full interview at lookingaheadprogram.org
#lookingaheadprogram #alifeinthearts #youthmentalhealth #childactor #broadwaykids
Tip of the Day: Be yourself beyond the headshot & have a supportive community.
During our “ What I Wish I Knew” interview with former Child Actor, Voice Actor and Looking Ahead Alumni, @megantaylorharvey she shared about how being a part of the @lookingaheadprogram helped her gain the confidence she needed to become a successful child actor. Recognizing that she was more than the headshot helped her realize that rejection was never personal; that her authentic self was always enough. She shared about how her mom supported her and always put her needs first. Having a solid community in Looking Ahead and at home set her up for success in the industry as a young performer.
Looking ahead members can listen to the full interview on our website!
#lookingaheadprogram #alifeinthearts #childactor #youthmentalhealth
🫶🏽 Thanksgiving Crafts & Food for the Community 🫶🏽
Once again the Kids Serve program of @bwayserves teamed up with the @lookingaheadprogram for our annual event addressing food insecurity. Between shows on Saturday, kids from @thelionking@stonbroadway@godotbway and Ragtime @lctheater as well as Broadway kid alums and Looking Ahead members decorated placemats for @encorecommunityservices (right in the heart of the Theater District) to make their Thanksgiving meal for neighborhood seniors a bit more festive. They also collected 5 boxes and a reusable bag full of food donations for Encore’s Food Pantry. They learned that giving back can be both rewarding & fun, and even more so with friends!
For more information about volunteer opportunities for young performers with our Kids Serve program, email [email protected].
#KidsServe #broadwayserves #lookingaheadprogram #encorecommunityservices #bethechangebeyondthestage
As young performers, you’re probably used to being responsible and dependable when you’re performing and rehearsing on set and on stage, but what about at home? We get it, chores may not be desirable responsibilities, but they are important in helping you grow into an independent adult one day. Let us know in the comments which of these chores you already do!
#lookingaheadprogram #lookingaheadprogramevents #youthmentalhealth #entertainmentcommunityfund #alifeinthearts #childactors #childactor #hollywoodkids #hollywoodstars #theaterkids #broadwaykids #kiddancers #foryoupage #tipsforkids #choresforkids #lifeskillsforkids #chores
Parents, how are you doing? We know that as a parent and a parent of a young performer, you keep a busy schedule, juggling so much on top of your own work and life. Come check in with us and let know how you’re doing so we can curate our program for what you need most in this season. This event is offered virtually for parents of young performers in the Looking Ahead Program. We hope to see you on November 6! Not a member? Visit lookingaheadprogram.org to learn more!
Leadership Council is Looking Ahead’s most successful program for professional young performers! Where members develop valuable leadership and life skills, connect with other industry teens and earn cool perks for participation! The best part? It’s free! Monthly classes are offered both virtually and in person in Los Angeles from September through May.
Not a member?! Visit lookingaheadprogram.org to register!
#lookingaheadprogram #lookingaheadprogramevents #youthmentalhealth #leadershipcouncil #entertainmentcommunityfund #alifeinthearts #childactors #childactor #hollywoodkids #hollywoodstars #theaterkids #broadwaykids #kiddancers #foryoupage
Looking Ahead members earned a trip to Disneyland for participating in our Leadership Council program last season! It was a blast! Join us on Wednesday, September 3 for our Leadership Council Info Session where you’ll learn all about this free program for young performers and all the fun perks for participation. RSVP online to join us!
#lookingaheadprogram #alifeinthearts #youthmentalhealth #entertainmentcommunityfund #childactor #foryoupage #childactors
