Know the role you’re auditioning for.

If you audition to be an actor at a theme park, make sure you know what role you want. If you are familiar with the types of roles that are offered in the park, you will be more likely to choose an audition piece that meshes well with the kind of character you’re aiming for. Is the character you want a strong leader type? Are they small and spunky? Mousy and awkward? Beautiful and glamorous? See if you can attend the park for a day and visit all the venues that feature talent (shows that have actors/singers/dancers). Most of the time, theme parks have casting calls for specific roles they are looking for. It doesn’t matter if you’re an actor, a singer, or a dancer: make sure your material reflects your talents as well as the role you want. You have nothing to lose by educating yourself.

Don’t. Be. Late.

This is the first rule for any audition. There may be hundreds of other performers who are auditioning with you, and taking up anyone’s time by being late is disrespectful not only to them but to the staff and directors managing the audition. It also reflects disrespect toward yourself: you have not given yourself enough time to arrive at your destination and prepare, a mistake that often leads to sloppy or rushed auditions.

Don’t be disruptive.

When you enter the waiting room, other performers will be there with you. Sometimes, some of us exert nervous energy, which is natural. However, corral your energy by channelling it into a physical action, like managing breath control. Performers hate it when their concentration or preparation is disrupted by another loud and obnoxious performer. Disruptive behavior includes talking on your cell phone, playing music for your audition, rehearsing at full volume, chatting with fellow actors at full volume, laughing uproariously, asking questions of other actors like, “What are you doing for your audition?” They may be preparing when you interrupt them. The only person you should be concerned with during this process is yourself. Once you’ve stepped out of the audition room and out of the building, you can do or saying anything you want, but not before.

Breathe.

Oftentimes, auditions for theme parks are “cattle calls,” meaning that hundreds of people show up, not just dozens. This can be an intimidating experience for a lot of performers of different experience levels. The easiest way to overcome your jitters is to take deep breaths. A perspective many people take is to imagine that you are presenting a very short play for an audience of four instead of giving an audition. (REASON: In a play, the only thing you want from the audience is their attention, which is not a high-stakes situation. In an audition, the thing you want from the directors is a JOB, which is a high-stakes situation. By thinking about your audition piece as a short play instead of an audition piece, it helps cool your nerves.) However, don’t let yourself give a sub-par “performance”; give it all you’ve got for that panel of directors. Finally, don’t let other performers distract you. If you can, go to a place that is quiet. Many actors have observed that performers who were quieter and less rambunctious during an audition ended up getting the role; this is mostly likely due to their concentration being maintained through quiet preparation and seclusion.

Have great energy and a great attitude.

I’m not talking about spiritual, aura energy here. I’m talking about pep-in-your-step, bright-eyed, good-natured energy. When you enter the audition room, smile. Directors and other actors don’t want to work with sullen and bored actors. Even if you’re nervous, it’s important that you show the panel of directors that you can and will be a joy to work with.

Be flexible with your time (and director’s requests).

Sometimes, cattle call auditions will run longer than the times they have been posted. This is because directors may have actors read from sides or have them do their monologue again. If you have an audition for a theme park, try not to plan anything important close to your audition time. (Last year, a theme park in Florida started holding auditions for their annual Halloween event at 6PM and did not finish until 3AM the next morning.) Also, if a director thinks you’d be good for a role, they might give you a side to read (a side is a piece of paper containing lines from a show). They may or may not give you time to go outside and read it. You may not have planned for this, but you CAN do everything in your power to make that character your own. Consider changes in posture, walk, voice pitch, vocal musicality, facial expressions, or attitude. Small changes can make a big impression.

Walk out with a smile on your face.

Regardless of how you thought you performed in the audition room, walk out with confidence. Directors can see when you don’t think you did well, and they want to see that you can fool a crowd (if you ARE cast). Say, “Thank you,” smile, walk out the door, maybe wish the other actors broken legs, and walk to your car. Only then can you blast Adele and swear your way into oblivion. Don’t let them see you sweat.

Theme Park and Audition Postings:

• Disney (National and International)
• Universal Studios Orlando
• Universal Studios Hollywood
• Sea World, Busch Gardens, and Sesame Place (multiple locations)
• Legoland California