What do performing Castmembers do when they are not performing?

[nhdisnut]

DW and I were reliving WDW memories the other day while listening to American Vybe - our favorite Epcot performers - and she asked, "I wonder what the American Vybe singers do when they aren't performing? After all, they only perform a few times a day, and then only for about 15 minutes at a time. Are they employed by Disney full-time?" So I started wondering that myself (not necessarily for American Vybe, but for all castmembers that perform briefly a few times a day. Do they perform other jobs at the theme parks, work in recording studios, or what? I'm very curious if anyone knows...thanks!!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Although I don't know for sure, I know that lots of entertainers are in more than one entertainment group (I've seen musicians at WDW performing with more than one band). And I think some of them do have independent "gigs". Hope to find out in a few years, since DS would love to be a WDW musician when he finishes school.

 

[AngieBelle]

I imagine they are probably relaxing in their breakroom.

 

[PKK/MJK]

I can't speak for American Vybe or the musicians... Angie is right about the characters at least at MK... but I'd like to expand on her answer a bit. SOME of the down time is spent in the breakrooms....but definitely NOT all of it. Many of the characters--both face and fur--do more than one thing each day. For example, they might do a few Meet and Greets, then the afternoon parade, possibly more Meet and Greets or Spectro. It depends on their schedule. Sometimes they're more than one character each day also. All of this requires time for costume, make-up, wig changes and 'travel time' in the tunnels. Getting from one place to another--especially in MK-can take quite a while. It sounds easy but it's much more complicated than guests realize. They also have lunch or dinner time. On occasion, the characters will do special meetings with "Make-A-Wish' or "Give Kids' children. Of course, there are days where shows/parades/Meet and Greets are cancelled because of unforeseen circumstances etc, and then some characters might have a lot of 'down time'. Generally speaking, though, while we may only see the characters performing for short periods , I wouldn't want you to get the wrong impression and think they sit around relaxing much of the time. In reality, the characters work VERY, VERY hard!!!

 

[Leota]

Wouldn't you love to have their jobs, no matter what their off-stage time is spent doing????
How much fun it would be to spread Joy for a living.

 

[LJC1861]

I know that in the case of the Voices of Liberty at the very least, a lot of the off stage time for performers is spent in rehearsal. The groups are constantly bringing in new musicians or substitute performers who need to learn the repitoire. Also, new songs must be learned and that takes time. Also, with the Voices and other groups costuming can take awhile.

Linda

 

[lovethattink]

I have a friend who knows Pluto very well. This is one question I never thought of asking.

 

[nhdisnut]

Thanks for the responses! I find all of the Disney backstage stuff facinating! Anyone else have anything they can add?

 

[gshoemate]

I know that I have seen one of the singers (David) from 4 for a Dollar also perform in Tarzan as lead singer. I know CM's will do FoLK in the morning, will do the parade at AK in the afternoon. I suppose it would depend on your availability as far as how many differant things you do. I know the other night while at MNSSHP I recongnized some of the performers in the parade who normally do FoLK (DH says I have seen FoLK way to many times). I would love to do parades but my availability would only be a few nights a week, I'm sure they wouldn't want to train someone for that.

 

[Bill From PA]

While riding the monorail a few trips ago we noticed that one of our fellow riders was a long time character at the Adventurer's Club. He usually plays Emil but this March he did a hilarious turn as Hathaway Brown and Otis T. Wren. He's our favorite character there. As we were leaving I introduced myself to him and told him my whole family enjoyed his work at the AC for years. He was thrilled. Apparently he's not used to being treated as the celebrity I think he is. That night at the AC he spotted me and said, 'I saw you in the park today, didn't I?' Then I felt like a 'star'.

Bill From PA

 

[tar heel]

We saw the magician who used to do the Diamond Horseshoe at the Boardwalk performing the same day. It strikes me that we've seen one of the Voices of Liberty somewhere else, but I can't think of where. Is there someone who does Voices of Liberty and American Vybe, maybe -- I just can't remember.

 

[LJC1861]

I know that there was a woman named Michelle who did both Voices and vybe. She has since left both groups and come to New York and now performs as part of a group called Toxic Audio in an off Broadway show called " Loudmouth". There may be at least one guy involved in both groups as well.

Linda

 

[Terry S]

Are some on a contract of some sort to just do that one thing? What I mean is people like the entertainment or jugglers on the boardwalk. I don't think they are CM's that do other things. I think they are contracted to do just that job. Also, the Krystols at Epcot. They are an acrobatic type act for lack of a better explanation. (the mother wraps herself around her sons and they stand on each others shoulders and other amazing things, it really is awesome) Anyway, I don't think they do other things either.

 

[goofyernmost]

I won't bet my salary on it but I am pretty sure that a few years back I saw a specific person doing a theme performance at WDW. A day later I went to Universal and saw the same person performing there.

I don't know if either place would approve of such a thing but I am pretty sure that they were the same person.

 

[Mickey Fliers]

This may sound silly, but I always wondered whether or not the fur CMs are smiling.

Think about it. If someone points a camera at you, wouldn't you smile? Even if no one can "see" it.

Even after all the hours they spend in those costumes, I have to believe that your natural instinct would be to smile.

 

[AngieBelle]

Hehe, yes, often the character performers do automatically smile at the camera- I know I tend to unless I'm just feeling really out of it. Sometimes they may do something silly like make a face- there's advantages to being hidden!

All those big bear hugs tend to make me smile even if I'm not in the best mood. Most of the children are just so darn cute! And excited adults are great fun too.