Disneyland Auditions

[gfarkwort]

Howd it go toasterboy? Did they supply a Puppet?

 

[ToasterBoy]

Well I tell you, I didn't even get to audition. As I said I had worked for Disney 10 years prior and it turned out that when I left in 95, someone mistakenly entered in the wrong rehire status in my file. So when they looked up my name they said I couldn't audition. I was more than a little upset, but the only thing I could do was petition to have it changed, which I did.

The reason I couldn't audition was that If I got a part in the parade, I would have to start that week and to petition takes two weeks. So no audition, but I did get my rehire status cleared, so next time!

I did hear from a guy I met that morning that Disney did, in fact, supply the puppets. They were from one of Disney's traveling "Don't Do Drug" school programs. Just a regular "boy" puppet. Not a character or Muppet or anything.

Grant
slugpuppets.com

 

[ScrapsFlippy]

I should have mentioned ...

I detailed my audition experience at Disney two years ago somewhere in this forum.

Here it is right here.

I'm fairly certain they'll be holding auditions for Playhouse Disney again SOON. (I believe in February ... Shynee, if you're reading this, when is it?)

-- Scraps

 

[ScrapsFlippy]

Oh ... and don't forget this post by jeremyactor which paints a very accurate picture of what it's like to perform in "Playhouse Disney - Live On Stage!"

-- Scraps

 

[ToasterBoy]

Thanks Scraps. It sounds very similar to what I heard of this audition. Several people showed up that morning in Playhouse Disney Jackets and I was told afterwards, that a few of them didn't make the cuts, which surprised me very much.

I will be on the lookout for future auditions.

Grant

 

[gfarkwort]

To audition do you have to work for disney in the past or could anyone just audition?....if not do you have to make an appointment?

 

[ToasterBoy]

To audition do you have to work for disney in the past or could anyone just audition?....if not do you have to make an appointment?

Anyone can audition, you just need to know when the auditions are.

Grant

 

[ScrapsFlippy]

Anyone can audition.

As for audition notices - I found out about the audition I chronicled via Buckbeaver on these very message boards. Disney has advertised in the past on the LA Puppet Guild site (here.) The guild has a "jobs" board that's open to non-members. Also, Disney will run ads in "Backstage West" for a couple of weeks leading up to the auditions.

Auditions tend to be seasonal, occuring at the beginning of Spring and Fall (so everyone can be trained and in place for the busy Summer/Winter months.)

As for my ol' Playhouse mates not making the cut: There may be a cross-utilization problem. Parades is seperate from Entertainment. I know it sounds stupid (it is) but Disney doesn't like to mix their talent pools. I know for a fact that it wasn't for a lack of skills, chops, or talent.

One great thing about my experience - it made me a better puppeteer. Doing the same show four or five times in a row every day gives you an opportunity to really perfect your basics. Sure, it got tedious. But that's what the Playstation 2 in the greenroom was for!

-- Scraps

 

[ToasterBoy]

As for my ol' Playhouse mates not making the cut: There may be a cross-utilization problem. Parades is seperate from Entertainment. I know it sounds stupid (it is) but Disney doesn't like to mix their talent pools. I know for a fact that it wasn't for a lack of skills, chops, or talent.

I certainly was not saying anything about their talent. When they arrived I just figured they were ringers and was very surprised to hear they didn't get anything cause they already had a job!



Grant