entertainment cast members-i need advice!

[bellarose23]

Ok, so I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this, but I have a question...

I'll be 27 in June, am I too old to try out for an entertainment role? I look young for my age (some say I could pass for 18-20), and I'm getting back into voice lessons. Growing up, I loved to sing and was involved in choirs and musicals, but since I had no dance/acting training, I foolishly gave up on my dream to pursue music theatre. I'm in grad school now, but I'd give that up if I had a real shot at making something happen. I thought since I'm such a Disney nut, I'd see if there was a possibility at combining two things I love.

So, getting back to the question, am I nuts, or should I go for it? Please help!

 

[doombuggy]

Try going to www.disneycareers.com for more info about working here. You might be able to come down thru the college program or get an inturnship. Good luck.

 

[AngieBelle]

I don't think age is a huge factor in your case. There are roles for different ages, and I'm positive at least one of the Ariel singers is older than 27.

Disney holds equity auditions on the 3rd Friday of every month- generally, a big cattle call. I've been a handful of times, and they are nervewracking. You might sit around as long as 4 hrs before you get to sing.

It's always worth giving it your best shot, although I wouldn't recommend dropping out of grad school for it.

 

[bellarose23]

Thanks for your help! I've looked on the careers website before, and I also thought about the internship, but I'm not sure my grad program would be too crazy about it. I have a 600 hour internship and 100 hour practicum requirement already, and it's degree-specific, in school counseling, and that's not an option as a CP as far as I can tell!

I wish I would have taken advantage of the college program as an undergrad, because it looks like my communication and public relations degree would have had a lot more options. You can't do an internship unless you're a current student, correct? Because I went back to school since I couldn't find any work in my field, but I would also consider going back to it. I would just need an outlet for singing since that truly is my first love.

One more question though. What's the difference between an equity and character performer? Does it have something to do with the actor's union? Sorry for my ignorance. I'm trying to contact someone at the audition hotline, but the number won't go through.

thanks for all your help!

 

[Feralpeg]

What's the difference between an equity and character performer? Does it have something to do with the actor's union? Sorry for my ignorance. I'm trying to contact someone at the audition hotline, but the number won't go through.

thanks for all your help!

Actor's Equity is the union for theater and television performers.

Please keep in mind that interns in the CP program make very little money. From the money they make, they have to pay rent, taxes, etc. JMHO, I think you should finish your grad program and then decide if you still want to try working for Disney.

 

[Horizons16]

Actor's Equity is the union for theater and television performers.

Please keep in mind that interns in the CP program make very little money. From the money they make, they have to pay rent, taxes, etc. JMHO, I think you should finish your grad program and then decide if you still want to try working for Disney.

Mmmm

Indeed

 

[Joanna71985]

Yeah. The Equity people do all the "speaking" roles, while the Character Performers do things like parades, meet and greets, and dining (stuff like that).

 

[bellarose23]

Thanks for clearing up the equity thing for me. My cousin just did the CP in the fall, so I've heard about the huge pay! From what she told me, it sounded like a lot of the characters were pulled from the CP workers, so I would guess I'd need to make it as an equity performer to afford the move!

I'll quit daydreaming in class for now, and keep looking for a community choir/drama group that fits my schedule to gain performance experience/satisfy my singing bug. It's been difficult so far since I live in the boonies and my commute to Chicago for work is almost a 4 hour round trip

I guess I have a lot to think about, and I want to thank you all for the info.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Are you willing to consider DL? My DS was fortunate enough to get an entertainment internship there last summer (All American Band, they used to have singers, but not anymore). From what he saw, DL seems to have more opportunities for entertainment than WDW. Well, at least that's the way it appeared last summer-however he's auditioning again in 2 weeks, hopefully he'll get WDW this time so he can make a comparison. But honestly, consider DL also.

 

[Wendy1953]

DD is a "face" character in WDW, not much money, however the benefits and loving her job count into the equation also! She started out as a CP in "fur" and then went for face auditions. She's paying her bills and loving her job! If I were you, don't drop the Grad program, but you could go to auditions as a part timer and see if you have any luck!

 

[bellarose23]

I think I'll stay in school and try to sing in my spare time to gain experience and brush up on things. I don't know how practical it would be to run away to Disney and try to start a singing career there, but I'm afraid of looking back 30 years from now and wondering if I should have given it a shot!