TDA is affiliated with the ACADEMY KIDZ AGENCY, giving our students the opportunity to receive professional representation in the Performing Arts industry.
Academy Kidz has been running for over 13 years and is a BBC preferred Agency run by experienced Casting Director Felicity Cutting. Academy Kidz has exclusively opened their books to TDA students who wish to apply to join the agency. Students must take either a Speech & Drama, Acting or Performance class to be eligible as the majority of roles supplied through the agency are acting based in Film or Television.
Academy kids primarily provide child supporting artists for film and television (non speaking roles). However there are can be other opportunities available. Our students have been supporting artists on; BBC Doctors, Netflix's Christmas at Mistletoe Farm, Bafta award winning film Small Axe, BBC Father Brown, ITV's Without Sin and many more. All our students who have been lucky enough to be cast have really enjoyed their days on set and have learnt invaluable skills about being on film sets and acting for camera. If you want lots of auditions for TV adverts this is not the agency for you! Please see our information about agencies page in the parent zone for more information about alternatives.
Am I eligible?
You must be:
A TDA student aged 3 - 18 (inclusive) who attends a Speech and Drama, Acting or Performance Class
OR a sibling of a TDA student, aged from birth - 3 years old.
What are the costs?
There will be a small cost for an audition. If you are successful in your audition you will be offered a 12 month contract with Academy Kidz. You will have to pay an agency fee (approx £48) which covers the cost of a headshot (taken by their preferred photographer), listing in their artists online portfolio and their administration system. The agency will also take a small percentage of any earnings as is standard within the industry. The amount will be detailed in your contract.
Auditions
Academy Kidz Casting agent Felicity holds audition and renewal days for TDA students once a year. To apply for an audition slot please complete and submit this FORM (click on link). We will then be in touch to let you know the next available audition date & location.
What If I'm successful?
If you are successful you will be offered a place on the agency for 12 months (the contract only remains valid while you are a student of TDA).
Here are the main things to consider:
You may have to film a self tape or travel to an audition at short notice, anywhere in the Country.
You need to be reliable, prompt, courteous and confident.
You may receive several auditions in a year or none there is no guarantee.
You may land several parts or none there is no guarantee.
You must not chase the agency for work.
You will be paid for your work should you be successful in being booked for a job however payment will vary depending on the company you will be working for. Some pay very little, some a lot!
Parents will need to take you to any auditions/ jobs but may not be allowed to enter the venue. Academy Kids has a network of professional Chaperones who escort children into jobs.
​