Broadway produces an array of musical productions that require children to be cast in the roles. Audition opportunities are available for such productions when casting directors advertise for child actors via actors Equity, agents or casting services. Children's theater companies in New York, such as Broadway Theater Arts Academy, also hold auditions for talented children to tread the boards in seasonal shows.
Children wanting to star on Broadway will benefit from being members of the acting union Equity and having a theatrical agent to help get casting calls. Child actors (under parental guidance) can also apply for auditions via online casting breakdown services. Open auditions will be advertised at theater venues, theater websites or in local performing arts newspapers or other publications. Children need to send professional black-and-white headshots and performers' resumes outlining skills and experience.
A child needs to prepare for an audition, just like an adult actor. The child will be given information on what material to prepare for the audition, which could be one or more short contrasting speeches, a short song and a dance routine if the audition is for a musical. Alternatively, children might be asked to attend a workshop audition to read for a part.
Children need to learn performance skills to be able to compete with other child performers who attend auditions. A child needs to undertake performance training by attending drama, music or dance classes outside of school, participate in an amateur or children's theater society or attend a stage school full time in New York City to have the best chance of getting through an audition to make it onto the Broadway stage.