College Program Questions Thread, Pt 3

[disneyfan89]

Hi everyone! I'm not sure if this question has been asked on this forum or not. I was wondering if CPs can be in roles that are dance based. For example, parade performers, or like HSM3 type things. I have a lot of dance background, and I am going to audtion for character performers, but i would love to be in a role that involves more dance. Is that possible? I'm sorry if the way I worded things is confusing. I'd appreciate any help! Also, does anyone know the time frame of Spring program? Like, when i would arrive and an estimate of when the program would end? Thanks!

 

[MarinaAndCharlie]

Hi everyone! I'm not sure if this question has been asked on this forum or not. I was wondering if CPs can be in roles that are dance based. For example, parade performers, or like HSM3 type things. I have a lot of dance background, and I am going to audtion for character performers, but i would love to be in a role that involves more dance. Is that possible? I'm sorry if the way I worded things is confusing. I'd appreciate any help! Also, does anyone know the time frame of Spring program? Like, when i would arrive and an estimate of when the program would end? Thanks!

The spring program is early/mid January to May. Spring Advantage is January to August.

In the Character Performer auditions, you get scored in both animation (your ability to communicate without speaking) and dance. I know you can do parades if your dancing score is high enough, but your options are limited depending on how well you do in the audition. Also, even if youre the greatest dancer in the world, you still have to do well in the animation portion of the audition to get an opportunity as a character performer. AND every person in the character performer role will perform as a Disney character, possibly in addition to dancing, being a face character, etc. So you couldn't just dance, at least in the college program. Full Time may be another story.

Most shows are reserved for dancers in the entertainment Equity union, but I know there are a couple (HSM might be one of them?) where its a mix of Equity performers and regular status performers.

Maybe someone can help with the specific shows that aren't reserved for equity?

 

[Joanna71985]

Most shows are reserved for dancers in the entertainment Equity union, but I know there are a couple (HSM might be one of them?) where its a mix of Equity performers and regular status performers.

Maybe someone can help with the specific shows that aren't reserved for equity?

There are several shows that aren't just Equity. They include Festival of the Lion King, Beauty and the Beast (Beast, Mrs. Potts, Chip, Cogsworth, and Lumiere are not Equity), HSM 3 (everyone but the 3-4 leads are non-Equity), Dream Along with Mickey (Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and Donald are not Equity), the parades aren't, and there are a few more.

 

[Berlioz70]

Just to add - I have CP friends that got to dance in parades, but I do not know of any CP to get HSM or FOLK (which are the two major dance shows). It has a lot to do with your height range as well... and how competitive it is within that range. Even dancers have to fall within specific heights for the different roles.

 

[disneyfan89]

Thanks everyone! That information helps me a lot!

 

[Goofster18]

Just be aware, Timon in Festival and all of the VIPs in Dream Along wit Mickey are trained in animatronics. Basically, these all having moving mouths and blink, controlled by the performer. They do have classes to train in this and most can attend but they fill up fast and may or may not be on a day or time you can attend them. Just something to think about. Also, most of the main shows are totally filled by FT and those with very high color codes and a legacy wit the company. But it is definitely possible, one of my roomies has a friend trained in the parade and spectro, the closing ceremony at DAK, Mickey's Backyard BBQ, etc. Lastly they also offer a ton of classes, puppetry, dancing, stilts, "Grave Digger" shifts for the parade for MNSSHP parade, available to all performers. So that is another option to look into if you are cast as performer.
Have a Magical Day!!!
Goofster18

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Historically it has been possible to be trained in parades and shows. I did two entertainment CPs and performed in Share a Dream Come True Parade and the Disney Dreams Come True Parade (Opening Day cast), Spectromagic, and Celebrate the Season (Castle show for Christmas). I have also done several untrained roles such as Goodnight Mickey, and the Disney Stars and Motorcars Parade (which is no longer there.) The untrained roles are few and far between however. Mickey's Backyard BBQ was also a CP heavy show. I did know one CP who did FOLK, but he already knew how to do stilts and was hired specifically for that role. Most CPs do not do shows that get show pay (Backyard BBQ is not show pay.) I should note that I have competitive dance experience and was a yellow yellow.

However, they are starting to get away from training CPs at all. It has always been extremely controversial. When I opened closed SADCT and opened DDCT as the character on the first float, it created a lot of drama. A lot of people were pissed off that that role on openeing day was given to a CP. I am hearing from friends that most CPs are no longer being trained. I sent a girl down who had at least a yellow movement from the initial audition, possibly red (she was called back at the initial audition) and she was down there over the holidays which is the time when CPs are most likely to be trained. She was not trained in anything the entire time.

My advice to performers: Go down there expecting to just do sets. Anything else is icing on the cake. Do not whine or complain about getting trained, nothing will cause more drama with the full timers.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

I should also note that while I absolutely loved parades and shows, some of my favorite memories are from sets. You get to interact with a lot of Wish children. They all have a favorite character and when you are that person, it is amazing.

I had one kids who had MD take his last independent steps to walk up to me because that was his wish, to walk up to his favorite character. Another time a woman came with an autograph book for her son that she was adopting. Stitch signed it, "Aloha Andre, from Stitch. P.S. I'm adopted too." The woman was in tears. You don't get that same kind of interaction in parades and shows. Sets can be an absolute blast if you let them!

 

[Toffy]

I had one kids who had MD take his last independent steps to walk up to me because that was his wish, to walk up to his favorite character. Another time a woman came with an autograph book for her son that she was adopting. Stitch signed it, "Aloha Andre, from Stitch. P.S. I'm adopted too." The woman was in tears. You don't get that same kind of interaction in parades and shows. Sets can be an absolute blast if you let them!

Now, THAT is why I wanna work for Disney heehee

And question, how does the color code work again???

 

[christiemarsh88]

Someone asked me about renters' insurance today--I hadn't even thought about it! The Disney Website says:

Liability
All Cast Members living in our complexes are strongly encouraged to secure renter's insurance. The College Housing Department can point you in the right direction, or you can check with your parents' homeowner's insurance if applicable.
Apartment management assumes no liability in the event of fire, water/flood damage, theft or damage to any belongings of Cast Members who live in our complexes.

CP Alumni: Did you have renters' insurance? Did many people on the program have it?

 

[disneychickforever]

Someone asked me about renters' insurance today--I hadn't even thought about it! The Disney Website says:

Liability
All Cast Members living in our complexes are strongly encouraged to secure renter's insurance. The College Housing Department can point you in the right direction, or you can check with your parents' homeowner's insurance if applicable.
Apartment management assumes no liability in the event of fire, water/flood damage, theft or damage to any belongings of Cast Members who live in our complexes.

CP Alumni: Did you have renters' insurance? Did many people on the program have it?

I had renters' insurance last time through State Farm, and I will again this time. It's one of those things that you hope you won't need to have, but you're glad you do when something happens.

 

[Joanna71985]

Now, THAT is why I wanna work for Disney heehee

And question, how does the color code work again???

Color codes is the ranking system for dance and animation (also puppets and stilts for some people). It goes green, blue, yellow, red (in order from lowest to highest). All entertainment that is non-Equity will have a specific color code (for example- FotLK could be a Yellow/Yellow, while Hoedown could be Blue/Blue. Those are just examples, I have no idea what the real ones are).

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Now, THAT is why I wanna work for Disney heehee

And question, how does the color code work again???

You get a color code for movement and one for animation. The higher your code the more trained roles you are qualified for (but again, this does NOT guarantee that you will be trained). Each role in each show or parade has a specific color code that is required. You have the option of preferencing (asking to be trained in) up to 10 roles once you receive your color code. However, you can be trained outside your color code. My first role was a yellow/yellow role and at that time I had a high blue/blue. (There are also levels within the color, you can tell by what roles are on your list.) If you go to staging workshops you are more likely to be cast, particularly outside of your color code. I went to every workshop I could and believe that is why I was cast outside of my color code (although later I did earn the color code for the role). Staging knew I worked hard and knew what I could do.

If you are called back for a harder routine, your movement is automatically a yellow. That doesn't mean that you have to be called back to be a yellow. I had a yellow/yellow and was never called back. You will not know your color code from your initial audition. You will only learn it after going to a color coding audition. When I was down there the color code auditions were every 2 months and were optional. After I left I heard they were starting to actually schedule people for them and they were no longer optional. Not sure what they are doing now.

The most common colorcode by far is Blue/Blue. The order of color code from lowest to highest is:

Green
Blue
Yellow
Red

Hope this helps!

As for renter's insurance, I didn't have it nad never had a problem. Never met anybody who had a problem- and we were down there when Charlie hit Orlando! It's not a bad idea, but I never got around to it and never actually needed it.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Getting termed for something in Housing may not be as bad as getting termed for other things. I knew a guy who was termed for too many attendance points. He got a job with Kodak (back when they were the photogs in ToonTown) and made sure that he had a good attendance record. If you are termed for attendance you can work another job and show a good record of attendance and be rehired. If you self term by leaving early, you can be rehired, but as others mentioned you will have restricted rehire status. My roommate who did it was only allowed to perform in certain roles. She ended up leaving early a second time and I highly doubt she will be rehired.

Alcohol and drug violations are supposed to be no rehire, although a guy from my apartment was termed for drugs in his apartment. Supposedly he took the fall for the entire apartment and since he fessed up they told him he was not put on the no rehire list. Whether that is true or not, I don't know, but I highly doubt he will be rehired.

I don't know about your car trunk issue because I don't know what you did. But the best thing for you to do is to get a job and keep your nose clean. Stick with it, then wait for the economy to recover and then apply. You will have a much better chance once WDW is able to start adding back positions and the pool of candidates starts to shrink.

 

[hyperflame]

I should also note that while I absolutely loved parades and shows, some of my favorite memories are from sets. You get to interact with a lot of Wish children. They all have a favorite character and when you are that person, it is amazing.

I had one kids who had MD take his last independent steps to walk up to me because that was his wish, to walk up to his favorite character. Another time a woman came with an autograph book for her son that she was adopting. Stitch signed it, "Aloha Andre, from Stitch. P.S. I'm adopted too." The woman was in tears. You don't get that same kind of interaction in parades and shows. Sets can be an absolute blast if you let them!

Sorry, I'm a relative newbie here, but could you define "sets"? I assume, from what you're saying, is that set-assigned performers simply walk around and greet/sign autographs etc?

 

[kmg148]

I did not have renters insurance, and neither did anyone I knew.

 

[Toffy]

You get a color code for movement and one for animation. The higher your code the more trained roles you are qualified for (but again, this does NOT guarantee that you will be trained). Each role in each show or parade has a specific color code that is required. You have the option of preferencing (asking to be trained in) up to 10 roles once you receive your color code. However, you can be trained outside your color code. My first role was a yellow/yellow role and at that time I had a high blue/blue. (There are also levels within the color, you can tell by what roles are on your list.) If you go to staging workshops you are more likely to be cast, particularly outside of your color code. I went to every workshop I could and believe that is why I was cast outside of my color code (although later I did earn the color code for the role). Staging knew I worked hard and knew what I could do.

If you are called back for a harder routine, your movement is automatically a yellow. That doesn't mean that you have to be called back to be a yellow. I had a yellow/yellow and was never called back. You will not know your color code from your initial audition. You will only learn it after going to a color coding audition. When I was down there the color code auditions were every 2 months and were optional. After I left I heard they were starting to actually schedule people for them and they were no longer optional. Not sure what they are doing now.

The most common colorcode by far is Blue/Blue. The order of color code from lowest to highest is:

Green
Blue
Yellow
Red

Hope this helps!

Thank you sooo much!!! Question though, can your color code be mixed? Although I know it's probably unlikely someone would be a Blue/Red, I wonder if you could be a green/yellow for example and which one they would care about when it comes to being trained on higher roles...

EDIT: Oh! And another thing! Does that mean if you get called back for the advanced dance audition you're also automatically in as a character/in the pool?

 

[kmg148]

You can be varying color codes; both don't have to be the same. Some are better at animation than dance and vice versa.

 

[Joanna71985]

Sorry, I'm a relative newbie here, but could you define "sets"? I assume, from what you're saying, is that set-assigned performers simply walk around and greet/sign autographs etc?

Sets are where characters do the meet-and-greet locations, and also do dining.

 

[Goofster18]

Getting called back is definitely a better thing, but some get called back and are not cast and some do not get called back and are cast. It all depends on height, your audition, a ton of different factors and what they are looking for. Most of these are out of your control and are just what is needed height range wise, etc. Just do your best and then let it be.
Have a Magical Day!!!
Goofster18
P.S. I believe doing a color recode is mandatory an scheduled for all performers as of now.