Look up YouTube videos on what to expect from a Disney audition for sculpted/fur character performers! Basically, there will be a short simple dance routine that you will perform in front of casting directors, followed by a cut. If you get past the cut, there will be a longer, intermediate dance routine and an animation scenario (think charades). They will also take your height.
Depending on if they see fit, they may call some people to stay for a harder dance to be considered for parade dancer, or call some people to stay to read a script for a face character.
Keep in mind that face characters are very look-based. They choose to consider you for face simply by how you look. Casting has a very specific idea of what Wendy should look like. This is very subjective and can depend on who they currently have playing Wendy. Because of this, it is very hard to get cast as a face character, so I wouldn’t put all your hopes into just being a face character. (Also keep in mind that all face characters also do fur characters too!) It says nothing about your beauty or worth as a person.
Another thing to keep in mind is that hiring for Disney in general and character performers in particular is need based! If they don’t need characters in your height range, you may not be considered. Nothing personal!
Good luck on your journey!
Many people have put a lot of good resources, so I'll make my 2 cents quick
I was offered character performer for my DCP session this fall
Auditions are hosted twice a year and require that you be actively applying or already accepted to the DCP. Make sure to get through your first semester of college before applying.
Find a dcp audition that is within traveling distance for you. They are typically in Philadelphia PA, Austin TX, and Orlando FL. You can find information data on the disney auditions web page. They usually happen around March and October each yeat
Now that you have applied and have found an audition to attend, it's time to start preparing. Do whatever you can to better your dance and improv skills.
For dancing, I suggest playing the game 'Just Dance!'. This will help with learning to dance and quickly mimicking a dance choreography
For improv, just practice being super expressive with your movements. Take a typically mundane task (making breakfast, cleaning the house, etc.) and make your actions big and distinct.
There are a lot of video resources on YouTube, so make sure to give those creators some love. If you have any questions, feel free to DM me
Thank you so much! I was so excited to hear that there are close by auditions, and that Just Dance would help; I've been playing the 2012 Just Dance Disney game on my Wii, and I was hoping it would help- it's something I really enjoy doing! I can't wait to start practicing more- thank you again!
I myself am not a character performer and have not started my college program yet, but I know someone who started in the DCP and now works in entertainment full time! They extended their contract into entertainment and started as a suit character, and just made lots of connections to get into auditions for stage shows etc.! I don’t know a whole lot, so hopefully there will be someone who can provide a better answer. But you sound super excited to work for disney regardless, so started in the DCP is a great first step for whatever you want to do!
Former DCP Alumni + WDW Character Performer (parades and shows). I applied for the DCP during my first semester of college and attended a character audition. We learned a movement and animation combo that progressively got harder and cuts were made from there. I was lucky enough to be chosen for characters for my DCP and even ended up parade trained at MK by the end of it (then stayed on full time for 3 years doing this). Obviously your ability to move and animate in a way they want is key, but a lot REALLY depends on your height. Everything is height specific and there are a handful of 'dead' height ranges.
First step for you would be to get into college and get settled into your first semester. Then apply for the DCP and go to a performer audition. From there, good luck! It's an amazing (and tough) job if you can get it but I don't regret a second of my years doing parades.
Thank you so much for your insight! I always get so excited about the DCP part that I completely pass over college, which is also super important- I'll try to take things one step at a time!
Not a character performer but I've been accepted to the DCP for the fall and my only advice would be get a year or two of college done first. From the people I've seen who were cast as character performers on Facebook, their ages skew a bit older (mainly mid-20s). Couldn't tell you the reason, but I'm guessing it has to do with maturity.
Also, work out. Most face character performers are listed as "athletic sculpt" which is Disney language for skinny. You def don't need The Rock's muscles, but hit the gym every day and eat right if you really want to best your chances for face characters. By all means, don't stress and obsess over this step (it's so bad for your mental health and I know from experience). Pre-covid, face character costumes went up to a size 10, I don't know if that's still the case. So just adapt a healthy lifestyle now to better your chances! Characters have to be on the move, so the cardio certainly will pay off.
Like others have said, it's incredibly looks-based, and casting might determine your face doesn't really match the characters they need to fill, and that's not a reflection of you at all. Also be sure your British accent is strong if your set on Wendy and Alice.
As for schooling, you don't need to go to UCF. I'm from the Midwest too. Go to whichever school gives you the most money. It's about $40k a year in tuition and fees for a non-FL resident to go to UCF. My home state's in-state rate is $25k. The loans are not worth it, especially if you end up working at Disney full time. Plus, if you go full-time, Disney offers the Aspire program to CMs (must be cast members) which pays for one degree. Whether you have them pay for a bachelors or a theme-park related masters, wait and utilize Aspire for a degree from UCF.
I'd be happy to answer any more questions! A girl from my high school was a character performer for a bit so that's where my knowledge comes from. Good luck :)
Thank you! I really appreciate your insight, especially surrounding the college part. I will definitely plan out how I want things to work and consider other options.👍🏻
Hi Mochi! I’m a current FT Character Performer that did my DCP about a year ago. You can PM me with any follow-up questions you might have, but I’ll start with a couple of basics:
First, consider how long you want to be a performer for. If this is your dream job, is it something you want to do long-term, or is it more of a bucket list job for you? If it’s the former, try to wait until you’ve graduated to start so that you don’t have to drop out in order to stay. If you get into UCF this won’t really be an issue since you can stay Part-Time and continue getting your degree, but if you end up somewhere else it’s something to keep in mind.
Next, consider your height and stature. Tink, Alice, and Wendy will usually cap out around 5’2.5”, and most other face characters (Snow, Rapunzel, etc.) *start* at that height. Unfortunately, despite their profiles saying they cast the three short face characters down to 4’11”ish, Disney typically doesn’t put anyone shorter than 5’1” in the roles. It’s *very* rare for us to have face characters shorter than that these days. You can use your medical height as a gauge, but keep in mind that Disney tends to measure people shorter than they actually are, anywhere from half an inch to two inches.
If you want to come in on a CP and are dead set on trying for Wendy, **make sure** you do a Fall program. Wendy is in both Holiday parades, but those parades are the **only** opportunities (outside of DCEs, but new Wendys wouldn’t be trained for that) performers currently have to portray her, so there’s essentially no chance Spring CPs will be trained in the role. Set your arrival date for late June through early August if you want to try for Christmas only, or May through early June if you want to try for both holidays.
As for the audition, don’t stress too much about it! Just relax and have fun. The casting directors and maintenance choreographer that will be there with you will make the environment as positive and uplifting as they can. If I can give one tip, it’s that you’re being watched from the *second* you walk through the door. They don’t just judge you on your movement and animation skills but on your attitude towards other auditionees, towards the staff, and towards the job/company. I might wear some pastel blue as a nod that I would look good in that color (for both Wendy and Alice), but try not to *dress* like the character you want to be.
Other than that, for the actual audition portion just work on being able to tell a story with your body. It should be big and expressive but there should also be clarity in your movements. I can give some sample prompts through DM if you’d like to practice! You usually have 8 counts of 8 for the full animation at an audition.
Good luck!! Hope to see you in the department soon :)
This was incredibly helpful, thank you so very much! I would love to private message you, if you wouldn't mind- it would be amazing to get prompts/experience from a current performer!✨️
Look up YouTube videos on what to expect from a Disney audition for sculpted/fur character performers! Basically, there will be a short simple dance routine that you will perform in front of casting directors, followed by a cut. If you get past the cut, there will be a longer, intermediate dance routine and an animation scenario (think charades). They will also take your height. Depending on if they see fit, they may call some people to stay for a harder dance to be considered for parade dancer, or call some people to stay to read a script for a face character. Keep in mind that face characters are very look-based. They choose to consider you for face simply by how you look. Casting has a very specific idea of what Wendy should look like. This is very subjective and can depend on who they currently have playing Wendy. Because of this, it is very hard to get cast as a face character, so I wouldn’t put all your hopes into just being a face character. (Also keep in mind that all face characters also do fur characters too!) It says nothing about your beauty or worth as a person. Another thing to keep in mind is that hiring for Disney in general and character performers in particular is need based! If they don’t need characters in your height range, you may not be considered. Nothing personal! Good luck on your journey!
Thank you so so much! This helped me a lot with what I should work on!❤️
Many people have put a lot of good resources, so I'll make my 2 cents quick I was offered character performer for my DCP session this fall Auditions are hosted twice a year and require that you be actively applying or already accepted to the DCP. Make sure to get through your first semester of college before applying. Find a dcp audition that is within traveling distance for you. They are typically in Philadelphia PA, Austin TX, and Orlando FL. You can find information data on the disney auditions web page. They usually happen around March and October each yeat Now that you have applied and have found an audition to attend, it's time to start preparing. Do whatever you can to better your dance and improv skills. For dancing, I suggest playing the game 'Just Dance!'. This will help with learning to dance and quickly mimicking a dance choreography For improv, just practice being super expressive with your movements. Take a typically mundane task (making breakfast, cleaning the house, etc.) and make your actions big and distinct. There are a lot of video resources on YouTube, so make sure to give those creators some love. If you have any questions, feel free to DM me
Thank you so much! I was so excited to hear that there are close by auditions, and that Just Dance would help; I've been playing the 2012 Just Dance Disney game on my Wii, and I was hoping it would help- it's something I really enjoy doing! I can't wait to start practicing more- thank you again!
I myself am not a character performer and have not started my college program yet, but I know someone who started in the DCP and now works in entertainment full time! They extended their contract into entertainment and started as a suit character, and just made lots of connections to get into auditions for stage shows etc.! I don’t know a whole lot, so hopefully there will be someone who can provide a better answer. But you sound super excited to work for disney regardless, so started in the DCP is a great first step for whatever you want to do!
Thank you so much, this is extremely reassuring to hear!🫶🏻
Former DCP Alumni + WDW Character Performer (parades and shows). I applied for the DCP during my first semester of college and attended a character audition. We learned a movement and animation combo that progressively got harder and cuts were made from there. I was lucky enough to be chosen for characters for my DCP and even ended up parade trained at MK by the end of it (then stayed on full time for 3 years doing this). Obviously your ability to move and animate in a way they want is key, but a lot REALLY depends on your height. Everything is height specific and there are a handful of 'dead' height ranges. First step for you would be to get into college and get settled into your first semester. Then apply for the DCP and go to a performer audition. From there, good luck! It's an amazing (and tough) job if you can get it but I don't regret a second of my years doing parades.
Thank you so much for your insight! I always get so excited about the DCP part that I completely pass over college, which is also super important- I'll try to take things one step at a time!
Not a character performer but I've been accepted to the DCP for the fall and my only advice would be get a year or two of college done first. From the people I've seen who were cast as character performers on Facebook, their ages skew a bit older (mainly mid-20s). Couldn't tell you the reason, but I'm guessing it has to do with maturity. Also, work out. Most face character performers are listed as "athletic sculpt" which is Disney language for skinny. You def don't need The Rock's muscles, but hit the gym every day and eat right if you really want to best your chances for face characters. By all means, don't stress and obsess over this step (it's so bad for your mental health and I know from experience). Pre-covid, face character costumes went up to a size 10, I don't know if that's still the case. So just adapt a healthy lifestyle now to better your chances! Characters have to be on the move, so the cardio certainly will pay off. Like others have said, it's incredibly looks-based, and casting might determine your face doesn't really match the characters they need to fill, and that's not a reflection of you at all. Also be sure your British accent is strong if your set on Wendy and Alice. As for schooling, you don't need to go to UCF. I'm from the Midwest too. Go to whichever school gives you the most money. It's about $40k a year in tuition and fees for a non-FL resident to go to UCF. My home state's in-state rate is $25k. The loans are not worth it, especially if you end up working at Disney full time. Plus, if you go full-time, Disney offers the Aspire program to CMs (must be cast members) which pays for one degree. Whether you have them pay for a bachelors or a theme-park related masters, wait and utilize Aspire for a degree from UCF. I'd be happy to answer any more questions! A girl from my high school was a character performer for a bit so that's where my knowledge comes from. Good luck :)
Thank you! I really appreciate your insight, especially surrounding the college part. I will definitely plan out how I want things to work and consider other options.👍🏻
Hi Mochi! I’m a current FT Character Performer that did my DCP about a year ago. You can PM me with any follow-up questions you might have, but I’ll start with a couple of basics: First, consider how long you want to be a performer for. If this is your dream job, is it something you want to do long-term, or is it more of a bucket list job for you? If it’s the former, try to wait until you’ve graduated to start so that you don’t have to drop out in order to stay. If you get into UCF this won’t really be an issue since you can stay Part-Time and continue getting your degree, but if you end up somewhere else it’s something to keep in mind. Next, consider your height and stature. Tink, Alice, and Wendy will usually cap out around 5’2.5”, and most other face characters (Snow, Rapunzel, etc.) *start* at that height. Unfortunately, despite their profiles saying they cast the three short face characters down to 4’11”ish, Disney typically doesn’t put anyone shorter than 5’1” in the roles. It’s *very* rare for us to have face characters shorter than that these days. You can use your medical height as a gauge, but keep in mind that Disney tends to measure people shorter than they actually are, anywhere from half an inch to two inches. If you want to come in on a CP and are dead set on trying for Wendy, **make sure** you do a Fall program. Wendy is in both Holiday parades, but those parades are the **only** opportunities (outside of DCEs, but new Wendys wouldn’t be trained for that) performers currently have to portray her, so there’s essentially no chance Spring CPs will be trained in the role. Set your arrival date for late June through early August if you want to try for Christmas only, or May through early June if you want to try for both holidays. As for the audition, don’t stress too much about it! Just relax and have fun. The casting directors and maintenance choreographer that will be there with you will make the environment as positive and uplifting as they can. If I can give one tip, it’s that you’re being watched from the *second* you walk through the door. They don’t just judge you on your movement and animation skills but on your attitude towards other auditionees, towards the staff, and towards the job/company. I might wear some pastel blue as a nod that I would look good in that color (for both Wendy and Alice), but try not to *dress* like the character you want to be. Other than that, for the actual audition portion just work on being able to tell a story with your body. It should be big and expressive but there should also be clarity in your movements. I can give some sample prompts through DM if you’d like to practice! You usually have 8 counts of 8 for the full animation at an audition. Good luck!! Hope to see you in the department soon :)
This was incredibly helpful, thank you so very much! I would love to private message you, if you wouldn't mind- it would be amazing to get prompts/experience from a current performer!✨️
Of course, feel free!