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View Full Version : American Idol ?



Pocahontas
07-21-2012, 06:56 PM
Does anyone know if Hollywood Studios still has American Idol experience? If they do, where can I find info on how it works - when and where to go to try out for starters? We are heading back to WDW in October and have friends (their first trip to Disney!) coming with us and 2 or 3 of them would like to tryout.

faline
07-21-2012, 06:58 PM
It was still there on our last trip a couple of months ago. There are places around the parks where they do try to gather folks for tryouts for the performances. I've seen them just walking through the park. If you want to know the specific places try-outs are being held, just inquire of guest services as you enter the park. Someone should be able to direct you.

Strmchsr
07-21-2012, 07:38 PM
It's definitely still there. One of my good friends is a casting director for the show (she's the one you have to initially audition for). The places Linda referred to are recruiting stations. To audition, you go to the audition area, which is near the ABC Commissary. It's best to get there early, especially if the park is busy, as they'll only take a max of around 400 auditions per day. They'll let you see a little preview video from Ryan Seacrest then you're taken to an audition room. When it's your turn you go in alone with the casting director. He/she will let you sing acapella 30/45 seconds of the song you choose from the list. If needed, they might give you a little vocal coaching, or pick another song for you if they feel you choose one that doesn't fit your voice well (all the casting directors are professional music people - these are not just CM's "playing a part). Out of the 400 or so who audition each day about 50 get to go to round 2. Those 40-50 audition directly for the show director. At that point you are allowed to sing with music and do most of the song you choose. They give you an ipod and let you rehearse before your audition. 3 guests will be picked for each show, so that's about 21 guests per day who are chosen to perform. They take that pretty seriously and want to get the best. The casting directors hate to tell a guest no, but that's their job. They see a lot of people who have a much higher opinion of their singing capabilities than they should. IF you're one of the guests chosen for the show, you'll be given a tag you can wear for the day and ask folks to come vote for you. When it's your time, you get a 15 min session with a professional vocal coach, then you get 10-15 min in make-up where they give you a mini-makeover. Finally, you spend 15-20 rehearsing on stage where the director, vocal coach, and choreographer all give you suggestions on making your performance better. Your family is allowed to watch this section. Finally you perform. The guests in attendance vote for their favorite. The winner from each show performs in the finale in the evening and the winner of that is given a "golden fastpass" that lets you go to the front of the line for any "real" American Idol audition anywhere in the country.