The Sylvia Young Agency represents child actors and young performers. The agency is open to both SYTS students and non students. It specialises in Film, TV, Theatre and Radio Drama as well as commercials and voice over work.

Attending part time classes at The Sylvia Young Theatre School does not automatically guarantee a place with the agency. Unfortunately the agency is very heavily subscribed and each year we have to turn away talented children purely because we already represent a substantial quota of children that fall into that particular casting category. A lot of agencies 'close their books' which means they are not willing to meet any new people, regardless of talent and ability, as they do not have any places available within their agency. We are always happy to see children that attend classes at the school but realistically it will be a very small amount that will ultimately be offered representation by the agency.

As an agency we are given casting 'breakdowns' detailing exact requirements of ability and talents, physical type (particularly if they are casting a family), sometimes height restrictions, and a clear character synopsis for the role they are casting and they will hope to match as near as possible with someone who naturally resembles that character. We represent a substantial amount of children that can fall into any requested casting category so we are looking for children that are at least as good as those we already look after or can offer that indescribable something different to those we already represent.

Children that look young for their age have an advantage as casting directors would rather work with a 12 year old, who can pass for 9, but who can take direction and generally have a higher level of understanding, focus and maturity than a younger child. 

It is extremely unlikely we will offer representation to anyone who looks 14 years of age or older. Unfortunately we are already well covered in the top end of our age limit as we have children that have been with us from 4 years old.  Also there are fewer opportunities for older children. To work professionally, a child needs to be licenced, chaperoned and tutored. There are limited hours a child can be 'on set'. Once over 16  adults can work longer hours. Understandably casting directors will always select an over 16 to play down to 14, as opposed to choosing a child of 14 that will also have the burden of GCSEs looming!

Please remember that we are looking for confident children and we can only make our decision based on how the children conduct themselves in an audition situation. No matter how fantastic they are in class with a teacher they know directing them, or how great they are at home performing for parents ... if nerves get the better of them on the day this is all we have to go by! 

If, after reading this you would still like your child to meet the agency please collect a form from the reception desk and return it completed at your earliest convenience. The agency will then write to selected applicants to notify them of an audition date.