Disney scout scours China for performing talent
Print Edition
WALT Disney was always hailed as one of the world’s great showmen, so it stands to reason that performances play a significant role in a Disneyland experience.
Good shows require good performers. The job of talent scout for Shanghai Disney Resort falls to Canadian Dave Bennett — a former Broadway talent agent and now casting director at Shanghai Disney Resort — and his local team members including auditions manager Rebecca Yao.
Starting from last October, they’ve toured around China on talent searches.
“We publicized our audition process through online social platforms such as Weibo and WeChat,” said Bennett. “The results were very rewarding. If those wishing to apply missed us in one city, they could go to another city on our itinerary. The enthusiasm was such that we actually had a number of people flying around the country for multiple auditions.”
Auditions didn’t suffer embarrassment from a language barrier. Shows at Disney Shanghai will be performed in Chinese as well as English, and the musical “The Lion King” will be premiered in Mandarin for the first time.
“We knew some of the auditioners were nervous,” said Bennett. “They viewed the auditions like a critical exam where they were afraid of giving the wrong answer. But, in fact, there were no right or wrong answers. The best auditioners were those who just managed to be themselves.”
Casting criteria isn’t bound by profession, experience or educational background. Bennett said the emphasis is on performance skills and the ability to project personality.
“We can judge that from movements and expressions,” Yao said. “We can see whether someone is truly enjoying what they’re doing. We encouraged them to give us their best.”
Applicants were asked to shows skills in areas such as singing, dancing or acting. In the end, Bennett and Yao had to fit roles to the talent they discovered.
“For example, if we find a dancer who might be good at acting, we would ask that applicant to read a script,” Bennett said.
The casting team also has sought talent from dancing and acting schools in China.
“Take Chinese dancers, for example,” said Yao. “They are professional dancers, but they may not have learned other types of dances. Our auditions are structured to show them what we need and see if they can adapt.”
Stage auditions are not common in China, Bennett said. Nervousness about the experience was expected.
“We tried our best to make our applicants feel relaxed during the auditions,” he said. “So they could express themselves freely.”
Experience at Shanghai Disney can help aspiring Chinese actors, actresses, singers and dancers build their careers. Sometimes, performers leave that Disney segment and go into other functions, such as marketing. Disney offers wide career opportunities.
Yao cited herself as an example.
“I joined the company when Hong Kong Disneyland opened in 2005,” she said. “I have worked at five different jobs within the company, and each transfer was supported by the company.”
Bennett said this was his first project for Disney. He calls it an amazing experience.
“We believe that both guests and our performers will experience the magic of the resort,” said Yao. “It really makes me feel good seeing guests and performers enjoying themselves.”
What is your biggest achievement working with Disney?
Yao: Just being associated with this company. After I first visited Disney World, I knew it was my dream place to work.
Bennett: I have an elder sister who wanted me to do arts and an elder brother who wanted me to be engaged in business. Somehow, I found something in between the two. Being included in a company like Disney is my biggest achievement.
What Disney Parks have you visited?
Yao: I went to Disney World in Orlando when I was around 10 years old. The experience was so impressive and I dreamed about working for Disney from that moment on.
Bennett: We drove 24 hours to go to Walt Disney World after it opened. I was a child, and I still remember how excited my family and I were. Since then, I’ve been to several parks, but that one is still my favorite.
What do you think makes Disney special in the industry?
Bennett: It’s a company of positive spirits. The working environment is great. Everybody who works there is happy, and the company shares its happiness with other people through volunteer activities, the parks themselves, the theatrical productions and huge Broadway productions. Everything is creative and fun.
Yao: The company creates magic not only for guests, but also for employees. It gives employees the opportunity to create career paths that can change their lives.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
