Character Performer Auditions

[Joanna71985]

Okay so Brenna, I had no idea that was you. Your vlog really helped to ease my nerves about the audition and you've kind of been my little saving grace : ) Also, I really appreciate the info, it definitely gives me a lot of insight, because as I've found, the rumors are abundant in the CP audition world. Do you know what the color codes are and how they work?

The color code system is the ranking for your abilities in dance and animation (and also stilts and puppets for some people).

 

[Berlioz70]

Okay so Brenna, I had no idea that was you. Your vlog really helped to ease my nerves about the audition and you've kind of been my little saving grace : ) Also, I really appreciate the info, it definitely gives me a lot of insight, because as I've found, the rumors are abundant in the CP audition world. Do you know what the color codes are and how they work?

I'm glad you're enjoying my vlog - in all honesty, you should probably read my blog. It goes into more detail than what I can talk about on YouTube and there's an entire entry devoted to Color Coding. If you have any questions you can just reply to the entry - I check live journal pretty frequently.

 

[rachaelfig]

Hey all! I'm Rachael and a hopeful applicant for the CP Fall 2009 and I have several random character performer questions. I've been pondering things today, and by pondering I mean avoiding studying for a massive final tomorrow, and I've come up with a few character performer questions. I'm not expecting to make character or anything; I'm just really nosy by nature.

1. Is there any way to know when they're going to train for parades? Like, does the MNSSHP Parade train the same time every year?

2. How do shoes work for face characters? Do you have to have character shoes or do you choose? I've seen some characters with friends wearing character shoes one day and mary jane-type flats the next day. Is it a height-related thing?

3. How hot does it get in Florida during the fall? My mom doesn't think I should even bother auditioning for performer because she thinks I'd die of heat in the heavy fur costumes. [I think it would be totally worth it ]

4. If you go seasonal as a performer how long does that last? Is it sort of a forever thing, as long as you work at least one shift a year?

5. I understand that your Disney height and your physical height can differ, sometimes up to several inches. How does that play into being friends with fur characters? Couldn't you actually be physically too tall to be friends with someone even though Disney says you aren't?

If anything I asked can't be mentioned online feel free to message me! I'm nice, I promise.

 

[Berlioz70]

1. Is there any way to know when they're going to train for parades? Like, does the MNSSHP Parade train the same time every year?

The holiday parades are trained about the same time every year, the other parades are trained on a need basis, but have the same basic pattern.

2. How do shoes work for face characters? Do you have to have character shoes or do you choose? I've seen some characters with friends wearing character shoes one day and mary jane-type flats the next day. Is it a height-related thing?

Shoes are always provided by Disney - you would never wear your own - so I wouldn't worry about this.

3. How hot does it get in Florida during the fall? My mom doesn't think I should even bother auditioning for performer because she thinks I'd die of heat in the heavy fur costumes. [I think it would be totally worth it ]

The hottest month is August in Florida - which averages high 90s. Disney takes great care of their characters and there are lots of ways to stay hydrated and safe during the heat.

4. If you go seasonal as a performer how long does that last? Is it sort of a forever thing, as long as you work at least one shift a year?

It would last forever, as long as you work the needed amount a year. It's typically more than just one shift, but it varies. You would also have to keep your color codes current by attending the special sessions they host. If your code gets over a year old, then you'll lose your status.

5. I understand that your Disney height and your physical height can differ, sometimes up to several inches. How does that play into being friends with fur characters? Couldn't you actually be physically too tall to be friends with someone even though Disney says you aren't?

While technically speaking this could be true - Disney doesn't really think about your real height at all, it's all based on what they measure you at. If one specific character looks off then you'll be disapproved in that character. If a lot of them look off you'll have to get remeasured.

 

[rachaelfig]

Thanks! And thanks to the person who messaged me as well - I don't have the posting count to respond to the message.

I'm so excited to audition. Whether or not I make it it should still be a great experience.

PS. I've read your LJ blog thing before. It's quite helpful. I've been trying to do as much research into this as possible so that come January I know everything I need to know, mostly for my mom's sake.

 

[believeinfairies]

What are the chances of the acceptance email going into my spam folder...did that happen to anyone? I usually just delete it all without even looking.. id cry if i ended up deleting the email

 

[Berlioz70]

What are the chances of the acceptance email going into my spam folder...did that happen to anyone? I usually just delete it all without even looking.. id cry if i ended up deleting the email

The chances of that happening would be based on your e-mail settings... don't worry though, you don't have to reply to the e-mail because you'll eventually get the purple folder - you just have to wait longer.

 

[believeinfairies]

ahh yes ok, makes sense! i guess im worried because i already accepted a different role, so if i were to get chosen i wouldnt get another purple folder is what they told me.. hmmm luckily im checking often enough that the spam doesnt have time to pile up

 

[Berlioz70]

ahh yes ok, makes sense! i guess im worried because i already accepted a different role, so if i were to get chosen i wouldnt get another purple folder is what they told me.. hmmm luckily im checking often enough that the spam doesnt have time to pile up

In that case - if they were going to change your role it would show up when you log-in. I heard that the log-in is a little different this semester, but last semester it would have just changed on-line.

 

[believeinfairies]

haha i never would have thought of that!! ill have to check it out.. thank you thank you

 

[cbgb72]

well, a lot of us from the Nashville audition got the news that we would not be character performers for spring 09, even though we were told we passed...definitely a bummer : ( we didn't get pooled or anything.

since i was in the advanced audition, is there any additional auditions once i get down there for dance/color code stuff?

by the way, i am super sad. especially since they were so positive!

 

[Berlioz70]

since i was in the advanced audition, is there any additional auditions once i get down there for dance/color code stuff?

I'm so sorry!

You can only audition once every 6 months - so you can audition at the end of your program to extend into performer or to go seasonal/part-time.

 

[cbgb72]

so basically you HAVE to be a character performer to be considered for anything extra?

ps--are they really overstaffed right now?

 

[Berlioz70]

so basically you HAVE to be a character performer to be considered for anything extra?

ps--are they really overstaffed right now?

You could audition for equity - but you'd still have to wait until the end of your program. Yeah, you have to be a character performer before you're allowed to attend color codes.

They are really overstaffed - waitlists are huge!! The ONLY height that's hiring is 4'8-5'0.

 

[cbgb72]

well that makes me feel a little bit better..i'm 5'2 and a half ''

i guess it was just really bad since i had my hopes up so much, they were so positive in their feedback, and i don't think it helped that we were one of the last dates.

thanks for the info though

 

[Joanna71985]

I'm really sorry to hear that.

Unfortunately 5'2 is a really common height.

 

[CrazySteph]

You could audition for equity - but you'd still have to wait until the end of your program. Yeah, you have to be a character performer before you're allowed to attend color codes.

They are really overstaffed - waitlists are huge!! The ONLY height that's hiring is 4'8-5'0.

So I'm 5'0 (well, my physical this year told me I hadn't made it to 5'0 yet lol) but next summer, I'm taking the whole summer off and working at Disney.. but I'm applying for a Seasonal and I noticed in one of these pages that you said they aren't taking any..

would they still take me.. since i'm in that "Special consideration" group?

Also, lol i'm not saying that I don't belive you, cause I do! but the girl i'm staying with is one of the Mangers.. and she told me that they are always looking for performers.. especially in the summer.

 

[Berlioz70]

So I'm 5'0 (well, my physical this year told me I hadn't made it to 5'0 yet lol) but next summer, I'm taking the whole summer off and working at Disney.. but I'm applying for a Seasonal and I noticed in one of these pages that you said they aren't taking any..

would they still take me.. since i'm in that "Special consideration" group?

Also, lol i'm not saying that I don't belive you, cause I do! but the girl i'm staying with is one of the Mangers.. and she told me that they are always looking for performers.. especially in the summer.

As for next summer, they can't really predict now what they'll need for then. They are hiring your height right now, but I believe that's only part-time - I don't believe they are hiring anyone for seasonal, but I could also be wrong.

 

[CrazySteph]

As for next summer, they can't really predict now what they'll need for then. They are hiring your height right now, but I believe that's only part-time - I don't believe they are hiring anyone for seasonal, but I could also be wrong.

Alright thanks! I'll give it a shot anyhow! I can always go to merchandice lol

 

[Emsa1989]

At a Disney audition in Penn. I went through the whole process and was picked as Alice in Wonderland. They even gave me a Disney present as a congratulations (A princess scrapbooking package)! Of all the people that went to the audition, I was the only one left at the end of the day...they had sent everyone else home.

About two weeks later, I got a rejection letter from the College Program. No character pool, no anything, just flat out no. What's the deal? No one seems to be able to tell me what the h happened.

Furthermore, at the two auditions I've been to since, they have voided my results because they chose me for something else I didn't even sign up for. I tell them at every interview that the only thing I'm interested in is being a character, but they like, pick random things for me later I guess. I was told specifically by a Disney rep that they don't even bother looking at your audition results after they've picked you for something else, so even if you pass it, tough.

Look, I realize Disney wants to keep the 'Happy Magic' image, even to the people that get a behind the scenes look, but don't tell these poor kids they are going to Disney world to be a character, only to be given no explanation when they are rejected. And they've got to cut the audition voiding out. Nothing is more annoying than being signed up for food service and having to decline, knowing that you now have to blow another $600 traveling to audition that they will probably pretend you didn't go to when they decide they'd like a few more people selling turkey legs!

Can anyone explain with the Alice thing? Has this happened to anyone else??