Other actors on the board?- Page 4

[erikaamato]

Posted: 9/16/04 at 11:25am

A Fiddler support group! hehehe I'm sure there are plenty of people who could join that illustrious little club. I personally have only done the show twice so far, once when I was a kid playing Schprintze, and once last year as Hodel under and AEA contract. Maybe I'll get to to Golde when I'm older, and then Yente when I'm even older than that!

EyEs In The SpotLight: I really can't give any real advice on what's it's like to be a character at Disneyland. (What I'm doing is really just like doing a play...Show up to the dressing room at call time, get ready, perform at showtime. Except that we do it up to 5 times a day!) I can tell you that the "costumed characters" get really hot under their heads (Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Chip & Dale, etc.) and they only get paid about $8/hr. But it obviously must be fun, or nobody would do it, right? The "face characters" (Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Mary Poppins, Alice in Wonderland, etc.) are cast based on their physical resemblance to the character and their ability to interact with the guests while staying in character. Their auditions are super-long I hear. They get a starting rate of $13/hr. (Which doesn't go up for at least couple of years.) A lot of younger people love working at Disneyland, though. It's decent money compared to working retail or something like that, and it's a chance to perform in some way. Hope that helps!

laactress: If you happen to cruise by, I looked into the "face character" thing at work, and I found out it pays $13/hr, with an eventual ceiling of $16/hr (like, if you'be worked there full time for 5 years or something like that). The girl I spoke to has lots of friends in the park who do it, and she said that there's really no hours to go around right now, and they're all complainig about not getting a chance to work, so if you did get hired, you'd probably only work a day or two every couple of weeks. Hope that info helps you out.

[erikaamato]

Posted: 9/17/04 at 12:03am

Hi again. Home from Disneyland, (I have tomorrow off! Yay!), and I thought I'd check in and see if anyone else wanted to post on this thread. hehehe

Also, I want to repeat my earlier offer to anyone in the LA area: just PM me if you're coming to Disneyland, and I can get you "VIP seating" for the Snow White musical. (No waiting in line!) Well, that is, I can do that until October 19th...at which point I start rehearsals for another show.

OK, I guess that's it... See ya!

~Erika

[BJC899]

Posted: 9/17/04 at 1:20am

The show seems so much fun to do! Are you guys lip syncing? I always thought the shows were.

Anyway I'm trying to "break" into acting also. I'm young, but I'm doing my best. I just auditioned for Stephen Schwartz on Tuesday, but didn't get a part. (for Captain Louie) All I wanted to do was ask him to sing a song from Wicked. =-]

I'm not doing anything now, but I'm always looking. I have an appointment with this LA agent over the weekend. She's represented Matt Damon..JLO..and currently has someone on ER. (i forgot his name!) Well, she's going to give me some tips and stuff. We'll see how it goes.

Posted: 9/17/04 at 1:30am

erika - Welcome! My partner and I have passes, and have seen the show - very nice production (I'm particularly impressed with the dwarves!) Great set, too - and I really do remember thinking the Queen had quite a presense, so maybe I've already seen you The next time we're there, I'll stop by to say a friendly BWW 'hello!'

[erikaamato]

Posted: 9/17/04 at 9:37am

I am up ridiculously early for some reason this morning... I think I'll go back to bed and try to sleep a little more in a sec. (It's 6:30am here.)

BJC899: Nope, everything is sung live. We're all miked, of course. (1,800 seat amphitheater) However, we do have to perform with a pre-recorded instrumental track, which is particularly challenging when doing dialogue with underscoring, and you need to get your lines done in time for certain musical stings, etc. (And of course, most of my dialogue is with the Magic Mirror, which is a pre-recorded Patrick Stewart! So that all has to be timed exactly, as well.) On a side note, my role (Queen/Hag) is non-singing. Which is actually fun for me! I love knowing I got cast purely for my acting skills! Anyway, nice to meet you, and break a leg!

DGrant Thanks for the welcome! Maybe you did see me, and if you come again, please do stop by! (I'm leaving as of 10/19 to do Paint Your Wagon at the Geffen Playhouse, though, so if you come to D-land after then, I won't be there. I do plan on returning after the show closes in mid-January, though. ) Updated On: 9/18/04 at 09:37 AM

[Cyndy]

Posted: 9/17/04 at 12:33pm

"...And of course, most of my dialogue is with the Magic Mirror, which is a pre-recorded Patrick Stewart!"

LOL!..and I did a show with Patrick Stewart...he was live...but I had no dialogue RATS!!...I love his voice.

[erikaamato]

Posted: 9/17/04 at 1:56pm

Cyndy: LUCKY! That was one of the things I kept saying when I booked the job, "Well, I get to act with Patrick Stewart...sort of!" His voice really is mellifluous, though. *sigh* What show did you do with him??

[FOCI]

Posted: 9/17/04 at 10:08pm

Hey Erika!
I guess you could say I'm an actor I've done professional theatre in my area but I'm still a senior in High School not sure what I want to do wth my life type thing so I don't actually call myself an actor yet. Anyways, as an experienced professional I have a question for you:
So I went in and auditioned for this production of "Midsummer" knowing that I really didn't have the time to commit but thinking I wouldn't get it anyway and that if I got Helena the one part I wanted I could make the commitment, of course never actually thinking I would get the part. I thought the audition went badly but I got the call last night that I got Helena and now I am unsure. I really feeel overwhelmed with all the extracurriculars and AP's in my life and I suppose I could manage it but I'm just not sure I have the motivation to do it. Anyway, the director is really well known and would mean a lot so the question is-do you think I should do it just to have that awesome line directed by: on my resume?

[Cyndy]

Posted: 9/17/04 at 10:44pm

Hey Erika~ did you see the article on the Geffen Playhouse and Gil Cates? It mentions your production of Paint Your Wagon.

The show I did with Patrick Stewart was called Every Good Boy Deserves Favour by Tom Stoppard and music by Andre Previn. It's a really neat play that calls for seven actors and an orchestra...but the orchestra is actually an onstage "character"...the show is not a musical. Hard to describe, but a really cool piece. I was playing with the Orange County Symphony at the time and we were "the orchestra".

[erikaamato]

Posted: 9/18/04 at 4:27pm

Cyndy: Yes, I did! It's an interesting article, I think. I'm really looking forward to working with him. =) As for your show with Mr Stewart, it sounds really cool. What instrument do you play?

FOCI: That's a tough one. First of all, CONGRATULATIONS! Helena is a great role, and if you choose to do it, you'll have a blast. Here's my advice: don't do it if you think your AP's might suffer. I believe there's nothing more valuable than a good education, and getting 4's and 5's on my AP's allowed me to skip a bunch of boring core classes and move on to things I really enjoyed at college...and you should give yourself that same opportunity. However, if you honestly think you can handle it, I say go for it. Is there an extracurricular activity you could give up to make time for this production? If the director really is as well-known as you say, it might well be worth it to have that on your resume. You just need to be honest with yourself. If you can committ to the show and not kill yourself (or have your grades suffer), do it. (Just keep in mind that this is coming form a girl who notoriously burns the candle at both ends!)

[Cyndy]

Posted: 9/18/04 at 5:35pm

I play several, but played viola with that orchestra.

[erikaamato]

Posted: 9/19/04 at 11:40am

Very cool! Do you mainly play stringed instruments (almost all of my violinist friends also play viola, and one or two also play cello), or do you play other instruments as well? Flute perhaps? Piano? I'm very impressed with (and a bit envious of) people who play violin, viola, etc. I always wanted to. I only play piano (and not exceptionally well), percussion, and recorder. Yes, recorder. Don't laugh. I'm good at it! (I have soprano, alto, and tenor recorders, in fact.) :-P

[bially082]

Posted: 9/19/04 at 1:22pm

I'm a working Equity actor.

[FOCI]

Posted: 9/19/04 at 2:30pm

Thanks for the advice Erika.... I decided not to do the production because I don't want to give up anything(I've become so attached to it all!) and at this point the only show I would give something up for is a musical b/c while it's obviously invaluable to learn all the in's and out's of Shakespeare I find it very tedious in rehearsal and it just doens't bring me the same kind of joy that a musical would. Ok that being said 2 weeks and I have an audition for a musical and I am in love with the theatre (the actual physical space) so keep your fingers crossed!!! Oh, and the director isn't THAT well known- just in my area it would be one of those names people recognize right away. Alright whew,so another question -where did you go to college?

[nobizlikeshobiz]

Posted: 9/19/04 at 2:35pm

rathnait since you're the broadway physcic will I make it on broadway?? lol!

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 9/19/04 at 2:37pm

I see you on Broadway - the street.

[nobizlikeshobiz]

Posted: 9/19/04 at 2:38pm

Hey eyesinthespotlight, I know this girl who plays the beauty and the beast character Belle at Disneyworld over the summer, she's a musical theater major and she says it's really fun

[nobizlikeshobiz]

Posted: 9/19/04 at 2:43pm

hey what do you mean the street? lol

[erikaamato]

Posted: 9/20/04 at 1:41am

FOCI Well, good...I'm glad you were able to come to a decision you're happy with! And to answer your question, I'm a graduate of Vassar College (in Poughkeepsie, NY).

[shesings]

Posted: 9/20/04 at 1:47am

My mom and my 2 adorable cousins are going to Disneyland in November! I may have to take you up on that offer if we can transfer it to family members (inculding the 2 cutest kids on the planet, on of whom adores the witch in snow white, and always makes me watch the scary parts again!)!

In any case the show looks like fun and I'll make sure to tell them to go see it! I'm totally jealous! If only I wanted to move away from NYC I'd adore to do Disney. I think I'd be a d*mn good Ariel too!

I am also an actress though currently unemployed (big surprise right?!?) Hopefully soon I'll have something fun to brag to you kids about! Apparently you have to go to auditions first though........

[erikaamato]

Posted: 9/20/04 at 1:58am

Hi, shesings! Well, although that offer is certainly good for your family, I doubt I'll be much use to you, since I probably won't be working at Disneyland at all in November. (I'm taking a few months off to do a show at the Geffen Playhouse in West LA.) If, however, it turns out that I am working a day or two here or there in November, I'll totally let you know. (It is possible...I'll have Mondays off, after all, so maybe I'll work a day at Disney now and then.) :-P

[Nina]

Posted: 9/20/04 at 4:57pm

Hi Erika and welcome. I just came across your thread and wanted to say hello. Sounds like you really enjoy your job. What show are you doing at Geffen?

[broadwaystar2b]

Posted: 9/20/04 at 4:59pm

you are currently reading the post of an unemployed actress

[wickedkiwi]

Posted: 9/20/04 at 5:56pm

wow, this has GOT to be the nicest thread ive come across in a while, nobody screaming their heads off or tearing each other apart...thnx guys!!

anyway, ok questions. i auditioned for a Disney Concert supposedly to take place in costa rica at the end of this year. i dont get a lot of professional auditions where i live, and since im still in high school (and also an AP victim..) i cant really move anywhere to break in. in other words, im a total amateur, or a studying actress, whatever you want to call it. so, this little amateur was wondering (sorry for hte long preamble): if i get picked for this job, what will working for disney be like? i'd have to move to costa rica for a couple of months, does the company take care of me or do i have to find food and housing and tutors and all that stuff (dont wanna fall behind on my schoolwork). also, will i get an equity card for working with them, or do i have to be american? (live in mexico, by the way). when i auditioned they looked exited, and it didnt seem like theres going to be callbacks. i think i might get picked, but they also told me they'd call mid september - which would be now. does anybody know how that works with disney? do they email people to say nice try, but no thank you, or do u just not hear from them? also, when they say mid-september, do they mean it? or might i hear from them in october? thanks a lot!!

ps. someone said SOMETHING about a high school soap opera...that sounds like so much fun jajaja ....pleasseeee tell me more! im dying to know

[erikaamato]

Posted: 9/21/04 at 11:39am

Hi, Nina! I do enjoy my job. It's good money, full benefits, plus I'm acting for a living. (And I get to play what is - in my opinion - the most fun role in the show! Yay, villains!) And it's pretty flexible, in that I can leave for while to do another project, and come back. What's not to like? Anyway, I'm doing the world premiere of the revival of Paint Your Wagon at the Geffen. We start rehearsals mid-October, and it runs Nov 23 - Jan 16. It should be fun!

Hi, broadwaysatr2b! Man, I've been there. Nice to meet you, and best of luck!

wickedkiwi: I'm sorry, I really don't know how that Disney job would work. (This is my first -and probably will be my only - Disney gig.) I can tell you they probably won't tell you if you didn't get the job. You'll just have to figure it out one day if you still haven't heard anything. I also don't think you'll get your Equity card for doing it. I believe that only applies in Disneyworld (in FL). At Disneyland (in CA), for example, none of the shows are covered by Equity. They're all AGVA (another performing union). And I have a feeling the out-of-country stuff isn't covered by any union at all. Other than that, I just don't know. Updated On: 9/21/04 at 11:39 AM