Character Auditions/ the life of a "Friend"

[DerangedChipmunk]

Hey guys, so I've been planning on applying for attractions or merch for the DCP, and I'd still love to do that, but lately lots of people (who don't know me or even know that I want to work in Disney) have come up to me and told me I should audition to be a "friend" of a Princess (usually Cindy or Aurora).

So my question is, what are auditions like? If, by God's grace, I did get cast, how hard would it be to play that role? And if I wasn't cast, would they allow me to fall back on attractions, merch, or F&B service? Or is it an all-or-nothing shot?

Thanks for the help!

--Emmy Kate

 

[khancock]

I'm sure many will respond with their personal audition experience.

But here is some info that they have in their official blog- https://disneyprogramsblog.com/?p=474

 

[houseofmouse89]

You can audition and have roles to "fall back on," like attractions/fsfb/etc.

The audition depends on your height and if you're in a good range. If you're in a common height range, it will be a lot harder to get in to entertainment.

Face is very rare for CPs. I think on my program there were 8 or 9 out of the 200 entertainment CPs. Out of those MAYBE 2 or 3 were friends with princesses. It changes every semester but do NOT assume that you will get face if you get entertainment. Casting looks for very specific things.

Fwiw, while I loved entertainment, it was hard to network and make connections with managers because CPs get placed wherever there's a need- so I was at different locations all the time and rarely saw the same manager twice. I made a few connections but still difficult. It's also not an operational or a resort role, so while really fun, it doesn't give as valuable of an experience IMO if you want to work with Disney long-term. Just my .02!

 

[houseofmouse89]

Also not to be snarky but people get told (including myself) that I look like various characters/princesses and it doesn't mean anything. Like I said, casting is verrrry specific and part of it is also being in the right place at the right time. Sure, you could be a dead ringer for a certain character, but if they don't need one they won't fit one. I've heard recently of people being face-approved in things and then put in the pool.

 

[tgimunday]

So this is more out of curiosity than anything, but say Im 4'11 but have absolutely no dance experience and very little acting experience do I still have a good shot just based on height range?

 

[houseofmouse89]

So this is more out of curiosity than anything, but say Im 4'11 but have absolutely no dance experience and very little acting experience do I still have a good shot just based on height range?

Yep. Under 5' and over 6' and as a cp and I feel like you'd have a really good shot. Honestly, you'd probably have to face plant multiple times at the audition, come dressed as jack sparrow (this has happened...), and glare at the directors the whole time to not get it at that height.

 

[DerangedChipmunk]

Would it be worth auditioning, do you think?

I'm 5 '3 and have no dance experience (I usually look like a spastic piece of kelp)

but I was a nationally ranked speaker (we did both traditional public speaking and ten minute plays)

I have a sinking feeling I'd be a terrible fur character, though, because I can't communicate in charades to save my life

What do you think?

 

[houseofmouse89]

Would it be worth auditioning, do you think?

I'm 5 '3 and have no dance experience (I usually look like a spastic piece of kelp)

but I was a nationally ranked speaker (we did both traditional public speaking and ten minute plays)

I have a sinking feeling I'd be a terrible fur character, though, because I can't communicate in charades to save my life

What do you think?

No harm in trying. A big portion of the audition is animation/"charades" so you could have a problem. Practice makes perfect.

You will do fur even if you are face, and no one likes a face diva! Like I said, face is. NOT. The norm for CP.

 

[haileybrooke]

Hi all i'm gonna post a quick question.. there are WDW character lookalike auditions coming to anaheim this month.. may attend those auditions just to see what happens and if i have luck can i apply to the CP with this already locked in as a role or do i have to attend a special CP character audition despite it?

 

[aznshents]

Would it be worth auditioning, do you think?

I'm 5 '3 and have no dance experience (I usually look like a spastic piece of kelp)

but I was a nationally ranked speaker (we did both traditional public speaking and ten minute plays)

I have a sinking feeling I'd be a terrible fur character, though, because I can't communicate in charades to save my life

What do you think?

I know tons and tons of people who have no dance experience and no speaking experience who have been Character Performers. Unless you're a parade performer, the work doesn't necessarily require any advanced knowledge of dance or performance- just the ability to animate very well. So any background can only help you- the key is to just be really high energy, and then it's up to them if they're looking for your height range. Animating very well is basically just making big, big motions and being very excited. Speak through your actions!

 

[DerangedChipmunk]

I know tons and tons of people who have no dance experience and no speaking experience who have been Character Performers. Unless you're a parade performer, the work doesn't necessarily require any advanced knowledge of dance or performance- just the ability to animate very well. So any background can only help you- the key is to just be really high energy, and then it's up to them if they're looking for your height range. Animating very well is basically just making big, big motions and being very excited. Speak through your actions!

Thank you! Thank you all very much! I think I just might do it. Because at least I'll have tried, right?

 

[aznshents]

Thank you! Thank you all very much! I think I just might do it. Because at least I'll have tried, right?

The motto I hear with a lot of folks going to auditions is "you never know". And it's true. You never know what they might be looking for or how far you'll get. When I went to my first character audition it was to extend my CP- I just wanted to go to see what it would be like, so that when I graduated I could come back down and know what to expect from the audition that counted. Little did I know, a few hours later I made it as far as the character pool- meaning if they had room, they were going to pull me to be a furry friend! I couldn't do it, though- had to go back to school.

 

[KatieLope]

I hope this is the right place to ask a question like this..

I'm trying to get opinions on if I have any shot in an audition for a face character role. I'll audition anyway for the DCP for parades and other roles in entertainment (I have a big dance backround) but I was just wondering what you guys thought, since you all seem so knowledgeable about auditions!

Do I look like I could be chosen? (See signature picture). By the time I audition I'll be about 20 pounds smaller than this picture (I've been losing good amounts of weight lately ) and I'm slightly taller than 5'4". Help please? Tips maybe?

Edit:: I understand it really depends, but I'm wondering if theres anything weird about my appearance that would absolutely count me out..I haven't asked anyone opinion on this matter, and I don't know where else to ask ><

 

[aznshents]

I hope this is the right place to ask a question like this..

I'm trying to get opinions on if I have any shot in an audition for a face character role. I'll audition anyway for the DCP for parades and other roles in entertainment (I have a big dance backround) but I was just wondering what you guys thought, since you all seem so knowledgeable about auditions!

Do I look like I could be chosen? (See signature picture). By the time I audition I'll be about 20 pounds smaller than this picture (I've been losing good amounts of weight lately ) and I'm slightly taller than 5'4". Help please? Tips maybe?

Edit:: I understand it really depends, but I'm wondering if theres anything weird about my appearance that would absolutely count me out..I haven't asked anyone opinion on this matter, and I don't know where else to ask ><

Casting directors are finicky. I can't really tell from the photo. Also, let's say you were a great match for a certain face character, but they may not be looking for that face character at the moment. I know a lot of times when they do face auditions they are only looking for a certain character or characters, and turn away others even though they may be a perfect match- this happened to a friend of mine who was told she would be great friends with Aurora, but they were looking for fairies at the time.

The moral of the story is, keep on trying. Also, break a leg in your dance audition- I spoke to a casting director recently, and they say the better a mover (dancer) you are, the more chance you have of getting picked. They are always looking for good movers. And remember- HIGH ENERGY.

 

[KatieLope]

[QUOTE}The moral of the story is, keep on trying. Also, break a leg in your dance audition- I spoke to a casting director recently, and they say the better a mover (dancer) you are, the more chance you have of getting picked. They are always looking for good movers. And remember- HIGH ENERGY.[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the tip! I'm extremely confident for the dance audition. When you say "getting picked," for what? character? or parade/show performer? or anything?

 

[aznshents]

[QUOTE}The moral of the story is, keep on trying. Also, break a leg in your dance audition- I spoke to a casting director recently, and they say the better a mover (dancer) you are, the more chance you have of getting picked. They are always looking for good movers. And remember- HIGH ENERGY.

Thanks for the tip! I'm extremely confident for the dance audition. When you say "getting picked," for what? character? or parade/show performer? or anything? [/QUOTE]

getting picked, getting casted, for whatever it is that they need. The better a mover you are the more you may be involved in move-heavier roles like parade performer.

 

[KatieLope]

Okay cool! Ah I can't wait for the spring program...I hope my audition goes okay!

 

[emrogers143]

Hey guys and gals!!!

First of all, I'm Emerald. I am from Texas and just graduated high school. Right now, I am taking time off to get a job and decide what the future holds...

My ultimate goal in life is to wake up every morning and be able to enjoy my job. And, Disney is so right for that!!! I am wanting a career so bad at Disney, but I don't know what I should be.

So, one option is being a character.. A big thing about characters is height.. And, well, I happen to be 5ft or there about. So, I know Disney needs/wants that height.

But, I seem to maybe struggle with other aspects of characters. I wear glasses, and am not comfortable with putting contacts into my eyes. And, I know that none of the characters wear glasses. (I wouldn't mind being a fur character though.) Also, I love smiling, but don't have the best teeth on the planet. I always dreamed of performing in the parades, but have heard that it requires a lot of dance experience, and I don't have that.

I know I should just go for it and see what happens. But, I want input to see if the stuff I listed above actually matters for the audition process. I really do want to be a part of the character department at Disney, but if it's not possible, I will try other departments.

Thanks in advance for your comments/suggestions/etc!!!

 

[aznshents]

Glasses, all of the above, does not matter for a fur character. (I don't think.) As long as you can animate well (read: be able to portray things using only your actions and gestures) you've got a good shot, and it sounds like you're at an uncommon height, which is good too. The important thing is, keep on auditioning if you don't make it the first time. They may not be looking for your height at the time.