Tips on How to Get a Job Being a Disney Character
Tip #1
Wear the proper attire. Being able to move freely is the second most important thing about this audition. Wear comfortable clothes that let you move with ease.
Tip #2
Wear the proper shoes. Sneakers, jazz, or ballet shoes-as long as you've got traction you're good to go.
Tip #3
Don't feel intimidated. If you are not a dancer it's okay. I'm far from what I would consider a dancer and I got a job as a character. As long as you can do a basic jazz square or walk and chew gum at the same time you'll be fine. They will usually tell you before you do your movement combination that as long as you make your last movement BIG that's all they are going to look at anyway.
Tip #4
Women please don't wear makeup. I know this may seem strange, but it's a good thing. If you're trying hard enough to get this job you'll be sweating your makeup off. And besides, if you are trying to look good for the casting directors relax, this isn't a face character audition. This audition is another story in and of itself.
Tip #5
If you feel stupid, it's okay. Just remember, you will be wearing a thick and furry costume in the theme parks. You will need to make very big movements to communicate. And you are not allowed to verbally speak.
Tip #6
Height, Height, Height! This is the tip you really can't do anything about. It's also the most important in being a character. Disney characters have various heights. If your favorite character is Pluto and you happen to be 5'6" to 5'8" you're in luck. They do have a half inch leadway. Special consideration is given to auditioners who are 4'8" to 5' and 6'8" to 7'.
Tip #7
Try not to watch the person in front of you. If you're like me, when trying to learn the movement combination, I tend to watch others around me. Don't do this. Eventually the teacher will make the people in the front row go to the back row. At some point you'll be at the front row. If at all possible watch the teacher in the front of the room. Unless you want the whole class to know you messed up on a step, don't watch the others.
Tip #8
Be aware of your limps. More than likely, you'll be moving in a room with 20 to 50 people. If you're not careful your foot, arm, or some other part of your body could smack somebody else in a place I'm sure they wouldn't like.
Tip #9
The bigger the better. In addition to a movement combination, you will also have to animate. Now this doesn't mean you've got to take out some paper and draw. The teachers will tell you a story to tell, without talking, right before you go in to perform in front of the casting directors. This could be anything from changing a tire to washing a car. Make your movements BIG. You should have a beginning, middle and ending.
Tip #10
Have Fun. This is the best piece of advice I can give. If you're not having a good day. You're dog died or whatever, just smile. More times than not the casting directors are looking to see a smiling, happy to lucky moving person.
Published by Marcus Kelley
My name is Marcus Kelley. I have lived in Louisiana for most of my life. I have been back in Louisiana for about a year. Before then, I was in Orlando,FL working at Walt Disney Entertainment. At the pres... View profile
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- Make your movements BIG.
- Be aware of your limps.
- Women please don't wear makeup.
14 Comments
Post a Commentstitch
do they ever cast characters such as the princesses or tinkerbell in the character auditions? or is this strictly stuffed costumes?
this girl can also play charaters like cinderella and snow white.
i got to tell you i have heard this one girl who is i guess in her teens.who has got such an amazing singing voice and comes from a music talent family.she is on youtube,facebook and twitter.shes says on some of her videos that she would love to play ariel in disneyland if its possible.shes i think from this area called atlantica california.this girl has talent just to play about some of the disney princesses.she only does some appearances now. like kids birthday parties and singing with a group.her name is traci hines.
i really liked these tips. im really nervous with the audition coming up and this helped alot. But im still scared cus im a good actress and dancer but i never took drama. Do you have any tips for the animation section because i know if im prepared i'll be just fine
Don't worry about weight. I mean of course if you have a 50 inch waist it's not gonna work but they have oversized costumes so it's possible to become a character. Also you don't get to choose who you audition for and you aren't just one character if you get hired. You are assigned several others in your height range.
For those disagreeing about wearing makeup for the character audition you are completely wrong.
This is advice to become a FULLY costumed character, this means a big, furry, layered costume, with a huge head.
This is NOT advice for FACE character auditions.
If you want to be a fully costumed character PLEASE do not wear makeup to the audition because you are not being judged on appearance you are being judged on movement, improv, miming, basic dance, and strength. You will sweat off any and all makeup especially when you put the costume on I don't think you want mascara melting off into your eye when you are unable to rub it because you are in costume. Trust me it BURNS! Also the special consideration heights means you have a higher chance of being hired because there are characters in the park that are extremely short or extremely tall and they are harder to hire for. Also you don't have to be a very good dance since you have very limited movement in the costumes. So do
Ever since my first trip to WDW in 2003, I have always wanted to be a character. My sister who is now working KP at EPCOT tried out, but she didn't make it. I hope that when I try out in a few years, I won't fail. :P
Also, I'm 5'1 and I don't think I'm getting any taller. I want to be Pluto, but I know I'm not going to get there. I would really like to know if I'm to tall for mouse height because I would love to be Stitch if I can't be Pluto. :D
...and I'm not the thinnest person in the world and so even though I hear it doesn't matter as long as you can fit in the costume, I still don't know what size you need to be to fit into it.
This is great advice though, thanks so much!! It will defiantly help me in the future. ;)
I want to be a Disney character when I am older. I know this sounds weird but I am only 12. You said all you have to be able to do is a jazz square, because I have only done dance for 1 year but I want to be a character when I am 16. So does that mean you don't have to be a good dancer.
uhh... i want more of a job description. See i am writing a paper on strange jobs. IF i choose this one i would need more info