Open auditions for Disney on Ice: anyone ever tried out?

[Layback]

Just saw an article in my local paper about the Disney on Ice auditions, and wanted to know if anyone has ever tried out for a skating show before, whether or not they were accepted, what their show experience was like? also, what kinds of things do they ask you to 'show' at the audition? I am just curious what the whole thing entails. I know of a few people who have auditioned before and not been chosen, but i am completely unfamiliar with the process--and i'm curious! any comments welcome.

[dbny]

A couple of coaches I know skated with Disney On Ice for twelve years. My daughter was interested, so we asked them about it. One of them had been involved in the auditions and she said you have to be able to demo every stop on both feet, and that it's good to have a "signature" move that will help them remember you.

[roogu]

hehe, i've been skating since I was 9 and now I'm 22 .... landed my first triple when I was 17, but I still can't do a forward T stop, HAHAHA.

[love2sk8]

Along with showing various stops on both feet, you have to be able to do choctaws, counters, rockers, etc...you basically have to be a strong skater with good, deep edges.

[kgl2]

My daughter auditioned when she was 16, as well as a few other skaters from her club. They asked for lots of footwork and moves in the fields, then spins, spirals and finally jumps. I was under the impression that they are also looking for body types (heights that fit the line) and presentation skills. And long lean legs don't hurt!

[jp1andOnly]

Stops on both feet, jumps, as well as "the look". Often times if they are interested they will want to see a video of you skating as well as some photos. They also may ask you to pretend to be an animal or some sort of character.

[luna_skater]

A friend of mine tried out once, and I know one of the things she needed to be able to do was land a double flip consistently.

[Aaron W]

Here's a link to Feld Entertainment's website with information about trying out for the ice productions (Feld Entertainment is the company that generally runs the Disney on Ice productions):

http://www.feldentertainment.com/pa.htm

Hope this helps and good luck!!! :)

[Layback]

hey, thanks for the replies!
i am not interested in trying out--show skating doesnt interest me--but i was just curious what the process entailed.
i have heard many different things about how you get 'in', and what they look for (aside from the official info), so wanted to know if anyone had any first hand experience which they could pass on. :)

[arena_gal]

Originally posted by kgl2
I was under the impression that they are also looking for body types (heights that fit the line) and presentation skills.

A girlfriend tried out one year and as soon as she entered the arena they told her not to bother getting her skates on, they were looking specifically for girls of a certain height, like 5 ft 8, and she was the wrong size, nothing personal just not what they were looking for that day.

[kayskate]

Originally posted by arena_gal
they were looking specifically for girls of a certain height, like 5 ft 8, and she was the wrong size, nothing personal just not what they were looking for that day.

Wow. That is awfully tall for a female skater. Maybe some of the dancers are taller, but if they are looking for women with strong FS skills, how many are really that tall? The tallest female elite we see is maybe 5'5". Is the whole chorus line that tall?

Kay

[arena_gal]

She never knew why exactly they wanted tall girls that day. Maybe a giraffe costume! Otherwise I think its about 5'6" ? There's some pretty big (spectacular) costumes they have to be able to handle. I'm thinking that the girls who are/were super competitive, ie 5'1" and 95 lbs wouldn't be the type for Disney either.

[iskater13]

I spent three years traveling with Disney, yes..if they are looking to fill a chorus line, versus a whole new show, they are looking for specific heights and weights. Because the skater must fit in the very expensive costumes they are wearing. If you are very tall you could be placed in goofy, pluto. If you are short (4'8-5'2) you could be mickey, minnie, donald or daisy). Most of the time u are only a spare for these parts. they will tell you before u sign your contract if you will be a character. I, myself only had to do pluto once and was not tall enough for the costume, it was not a pretty sight!

You try out with other skaters and the trick is to pick up every step on the first try. they are looking at posture and edges basically and a good memory.
Then at the end they give u some free time to skate around and do your stuff, do not get off the ice until they tell u to.

Then they weigh you and sometimes take measurements. Good luck trying out, it is not too difficult, make sure u smile and have a good attitude and are able to work as a team, not an individual! LOL

ps if you are in the short range they all weigh between 88-95 pounds, they weigh you every week and if you are over by an ounce you are warned the first week, fined the second and so on....if it coninues they send u home until it is under control and sometimes you are not asked back.

[md2be]

I tried out at 5ft 4 118 lbs and was told to lose weight. 118 is not heavy.
Disney is more about appearances than ability. The are unrealistic about weight requirements.
The pay sucks, the travel is constant.
Good luck.
I skated with a stationary show and was much happier.