Young actors looking ahead at unions
Program includes counseling, mentoring, seminars
Program, funded by a $150,000 grant from the SAG-Producers Industry Advancement and Cooperative Fund, has kicked off with a survey by the Actors Fund of 3,000 SAG/AFTRA members ages 12-18. Program will include career and education counseling; individual, family, and group counseling; a mentoring program utilizing former young performers; community service opportunities; financial planning seminars; and weekend retreats to develop leadership skills.
Actor Richard Thomas is serving as chair of the "Looking Ahead" advisory committee, which includes SAG prexy Melissa Gilbert and AFTRA president John Connolly, along with other union leaders, studio teachers, managers and the parents of young performers.
"Looking Ahead will provide much-needed services and create a supportive community for young performers," Gilbert said. "As a former child actor, I know first-hand how challenging working in the industry can be for a young person. Looking Ahead is what performers need during the formative years of adolescence."
