From Initial Audition to Final Production with Disney Live Entertainment | S2E4
ON THIS EPISODE OF LIFE AT DISNEY PODCAST
Join our host Stephen for a conversation with Saroya, Casting Director; Ray, Manager, Talent Casting Operations; and Jason, Producer to talk about how we bring entertainment to life across Disney Experiences!
With over 20 years of casting experience, Saroya works cross-functionally with performers, show directors and other parties to bring a project from the initial audition to the debut performance. Having a 30+ year career with Disney, Ray’s current role as Manager of Talent Casting Operations allows him to build and lead a team of dedicated casting professionals for Disney Cruise Line. Together, Ray and Saroya pull the curtain back for an inside look at Disney Auditions. Our last guest, Jason, works as a Producer of Production Management Events and puts objectives, schedules, and budgets together to bring numerous events to life at Walt Disney World Resort.
ABOUT THE GUESTS:
Saroya started her Disney journey with Entertainment in 1997 as a Character Performer where she had the opportunity to perform in various shows, parades and atmosphere performances. From there, Saroya joined the Global Character Training Team and later joined the Talent Casting team as a coordinator, focusing on Characters, Actors, Equity Performers and Contracts acts.
It is with this team where she began her leadership career as a Talent Casting Director, facilitating auditions and casting various parades, shows and special events. Her mantra for auditionees is, “It takes a lot of courage to place yourself into any audition setting, and the goal of our team is to make the experience as comfortable as possible!”
Ray began his Disney journey in 1986 performing in Magic Kingdom Park on the Cinderella Castle stage. After 15 years in Magic Kingdom Park, Ray took his journey over to EPCOT, where he began performing with the Epcot Center World Dancers and then finished his performance career back at Magic Kingdom Park with The Kids of the Kingdom. In 1997, Ray started as a Staging Specialist, and then moved around to several Coordinator positions on the Talent Casting team.
Soon after becoming a Coordinator, Ray took a maintenance position training new cast members for Disney Cruise Line. In 2000, Ray started casting for both Disney Cruise Line and Walt Disney World Resort and has recently moved into the Manager – Talent Casting Operations role, leading the casting team for Disney Cruise Line.
Jason has spent three decades in the entertainment industry and recently celebrated 20 years at the Walt Disney World Resort. Starting as a Guest Relations Host on the Disney College Program, Jason returned as an entertainment manager operating established entertainment offerings and is currently working as a Producer for Disney Live Entertainment, helping develop exciting new shows and events.
Some favorite projects include opening Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park as Production Stage Manager for the Festival of the Lion King, producing entertainment for the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games, trying to learn Spanish from the Mariachi Cobre and traveling around the country with Drum Major Mickey Mouse.
