Carnival Cruise Lines
Contact Info: Kerry Stables
Carnival Productions
3655 NW 87th Ave.
Miami, FL 33178
(305) 599-2200
Number of vessels: 20 ships in the fleet
Hiring dates: Ongoing.
Audition schedule: Hire by open call auditions and by videotape, which can be sent directly to the line; include a resumé and headshot. Generally approximately four to five national and international audition tours per year.
Rehearsal time before boarding: Three to eight weeks for production shows.
Audition schedule: Visit www.carnival.com/entertainment; cities include New York, Chicago, Las Vegas, Branson, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, London, Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney. Also have agents in Russia.
Length of contract: All dancer/ singer contracts are six months starting Jan. 1.
Payment info: Varies per performer.
Medical: A full medical before hiring/joining the ship is required, and all employees are covered medically while onboard for up to a 12-month period.
Additional services required: All dancers are required to do additional cruise staff duties.
Dancers may also be able to earn additional money through the photo department by taking photographs with the guests. Production singers and adagio duos are not required to assist with cruise staff duties.
Comments: Carnival seeks high-caliber talents, whether young performers starting their careers or older, more experienced performers, says vice president of cruise operations Roger Blum. "We do get people for whom it's their first job because it's different than dancing in Vegas, where you can have a family and go home after work. Here on a ship it's a better life for somebody who doesn't have those types of ties. But it depends on the talent: We have dancers where it's their first job out of college, and we have other dancers who have been on our ships for 10 years. The standard of our production shows has grown tremendously over the past 10 years, and our shows would stand strong in any resort or hotel in Las Vegas. We have lavish sets and costumes and amazing state-of-the-art showrooms on our Destiny/Conquest and Sprit class ships."
Celebrity Cruises
Contact Info: Leigh-Ann Thomason
(305) 262-6677
Tracy Camps
(954) 925-0417, ext. 503
1050 Caribbean Way
Miami, FL 33132
Number of vessels: Nine.
Performers hired per ship: 10-17.
Type of shows: Las Vegas–style, Broadway revues.
Number of shows per cruise: Three to four.
Production hiring: Through Gary Music Productions, Moline Entertainment, McDonald and
Dick Meyer Productions, Dick Foster Productions, and FJM Productions.
Hiring dates: Ongoing.
Audition schedule: Ongoing (typically spring and fall).
Rehearsal time before boarding: Three to four weeks on land, one week onboard.
Length of contract: Six months.
Medical: Seamen's Insurance.
Additional services required: Dancers participate in cruise staff activities.
Crystal Cruises
Contact Info:
Tel: (310) 843-2253
Fax: (310) 785-3891
Attn: Christopher—ENTS
2049 Century Park East, Ste. 1400
Los Angeles, CA 90067
www.CrystalCruises.com
ProdOps@CrystalCruises.com
cescamilla@crystalcruises.com
Performers hired per ship: Three teams each of one female vocalist, one male vocalist, five female dancers, five of which are singer/dancers.
Type of shows: Broadway-style revues.
Number of shows per cruise: Depending on duration of cruises; typical 10-day cruise includes four production, one closer.
Production hiring: In-house casting by Gretchen Goetz and Kathy Orme, artistic directors.
Hiring dates: Year-round and dependent on schedules rotations.
Audition schedule: Open to need.
Length of contract: One year.
Rehearsal time before boarding: 10 weeks (average)
Payment info: Compensations paid in U.S. funds; paid rehearsal period via check; performance aboard ship in cash/wire transfers via crew accountant.
Perks: Paid rehearsals, paid vacations, guest cruising benefits, onboard officer status accommodations, elegant six-star cruising to international.
Medical: Full coverage during performance contract.
Additional services required: As cruise lines are not governed by any union jurisdiction, union and non-union at sea without threat to their status; valid passport required.
Comments: Said Christopher Escamilla, production coordinator, Operations, Entertainment Dept:
"Crystal Cruises ranks as the top luxury passenger cruise line at sea. Our six-star company has been voted the "best large-shop line' by Conde Nast Traveler, and the 'world's best large cruise line' by Travel + Leisure. The production shows have received numerous accolades and coveted industry awards to earn the title of the 'best production shows afloat.'"
Cunard Line/ Seabourn Cruise Line
Contact Info:
C/o Entertainment Dept
6100 Blue Lagoon Drive, Ste. 400
Miami, FL 33126
www.cunard.com
www.seabourn.com
Number of vessels: Six, a new Queen Mary 2 in 2004.
Performers hired per ship: 12-16.
Type of shows: Las Vegas–style production shows.
Number of shows per cruise: Two to four.
Production hiring: In-house.
Hiring dates: Year-round.
Audition schedule: Ongoing tours in the U.S. and abroad.
Length of contract: Varies, with an average of six months.
Rehearsal time before boarding: A minimum of four weeks, maximum of 10 weeks, with pay.
Payment info: Each salary is negotiated according to talent level and experience.
Medical: Full coverage.
Additional services required: Depending on the contract, general cruise staff duties, most are entertainment related.
Comments: "In less than a year we take delivery of Queen Mary 2, the biggest and most expensive cruise ship ever constructed," says Martin Lilly, director of entertainment for Cunard Line. "Due to the size of the vessel, we have a tremendous opportunity to get really creative with the on-board entertainment. Guests will not be seeing the same shows on QM2 that are seen in other places, either on land or at sea."
Disney Cruise Line
Contact Info:
Attn: Human Resources Department
P.O. Box 10210
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
(407) 397-3220
Number of vessels: Two.
Performers hired per ship: 40
Type of shows: Original Disney musicals and stage shows.
Number of shows per cruise: Five.
Production hiring: In-house.
Hiring dates: Ongoing.
Audition schedules: Six national casting tours per year.
Length of contract: Six months.
Rehearsal time before boarding: Four to seven weeks in Toronto.
Payment info: Not released.
Additional services required: Entertainment related activities, weekly safety drills.
Comments: Cruise line has up to 10 hours of performances daily
Stiletto Entertainment/ Holland America
Contact Info: Jerry Stiletto
Cruise Ship Casting
P.O. Box 45348
Los Angeles, CA 90045
(310) 957-5757 ext. 475
www.stilettoentertainment.com
Cruise line client: Holland America.
Number of vessels: 13 as of April 2004, including Holland America, Potter Dam, and Vista Class.
Performers hired per ship: Seven singers and dancers, medium size ships have four singers and six dancers, and the Vista Class ships have four singers and 10 dancers
Type of shows: 43 productions on 13 ships, ranging from Broadway revues to a Tommy Tune/paparazzi show, country, classic rock.
Number of shows per cruise: Two to four.
Hiring dates: Ongoing.
Audition schedule: Ongoing.
Perks: The cast members are afforded junior officer status, meaning they are allowed to go into the passenger areas when they are not on duty. There are no cruise staff duties required of cast members, just interaction with passengers.
Contracts: Six months
Payment info: $553 per week for dancers; $602 per week for singers; $651 per week for lead singers. Singers must move to music, be able to learn basic dance steps.
Rehearsal time before boarding: Four to six weeks. All accommodations are provided.
Length of contract: Six months.
Medical: Medical and dental.
Additional services required: Interactions with passengers through fun quizzes, teaching dance classes, tours.
Comments: "Holland America requires of Stiletto Entertainment that the integrity of the show is maintained, and that is one of the things we strive for," says president of Stiletto Entertainment, Jerry Stiletto.
Imperial Majesty Cruise Line
Contact Info: (954) 956-9505
Fax: (954) 971-6678
Attention: Stephanie A. Servaites
2950 Gateway Drive
Pompano Beach, FL 33069
stephanies@imperialmajesty.com
Number of vessels: One.
Performers hired per ship: 15
Type of shows: Musical revue (singing and dancing), trio (popular music), piano.
Number of shows per cruise: Four revues.
Production hiring: Twice per year through Global Entertainment, located in Greece.
Hiring dates: Usually September.
Audition schedules: Ongoing.
Length of contract: Eight to 10 months per year.
Rehearsal time before boarding: One week.
Payment info: Varies.
Medical: Required coverage.
Norwegian Cruise Lines/ Orient Lines
Contact Info: George Ortiz
(305) 436-4684
Michael Sumin (musicians)
(305) 436- 4684
Performers hired per ship: Average 21-25 musicians per ship.
Audition by videotape.
Stan Stought (cabaret vocalists and instrumental acts)
(305) 436-4681
Audition by videotape/DVD.
Sue Carper (comedy and variety acts)
Audition by videotape.
7665 Northwest 19th Street
Miami, FL 33126
Production hiring: Through Jean Ann Ryan Productions (see listing)
Hiring Dates: Ongoing.
Length of Contract: Four to six months.
Payment: Varies depending on position.
Rehearsal: Three to four weeks for dancers.
Comments: New this year: Freestyle cruising, which requires performers to perform wherever and whenever passengers are dining. "We try to have something live happening from 6 p.m. to midnight," says Norwegian Cruise lines/Orient Lines spokesman George Ortiz.
Princess Cruise Lines
Contact Info:
Kerry Lovegrove
Entertainment Dept.
Coordinator of Show Productions
24200 Magic Mountain Parkway
Santa Clarita, CA 91355
www.princesscruises.com
Number of vessels: 11 at present, three new vessels by the end of May 2004, totaling 14.
Performers hired per ship: Cast of 19 for Grand Class ships, 14 for Sun Class, and nine for three smaller vessels.
Type of shows: Broadway, contemporary, Vegas and theme shows.
Number of shows per cruise: Ranging from eight on 30-day cruises, four on 10-day cruises, and three on seven-day cruises.
Production hiring: None at present, high percentage rate of returning dancers. Accepts video/DVD submissions.
Hiring dates: Varies.
Audition schedule: Varies.
Length of contract: Six months onboard time.
Rehearsal: Four to six weeks.
Payment info: Dancer-only contracts starting at $1,700 per month with a rising pay scale in place after six months onboard contract time.
Medical: All dancers are covered by medical insurance for their time in the studio and onboard. Company recommends that extra travelers insurance is purchase for unforeseen circumstances.
Additional services required: Only one of the vessels has dancers that perform the duties during the day, for which a higher salary start rate applies.
Comments: "Our production entertainers have to be versatile to perform in shows ranging from contemporary MTV to classic musicals," says production coordinator Kerry Lovegrove. "Talents in all dance and vocal styles are a must."
Regal Cruise Lines
Contact Info:
(800)-270-7245
Hiring: Through Jean Ann Ryan Productions (see listing).
Royal Caribbean International
Contact Info:
1050 Caribbean Way
Miami, FL 33132
(305) 539-6475
Number of vessels: 16.
Performers hired per ship: 12-14 performers. Four to six female dancers, four male dancers, two female dancers, and two male singers.
Type of shows: Contemporary Broadway and pop.
Number of shows per cruise: Two to three productions.
Hiring dates: Ongoing.
Audition schedule: Ongoing.
Length of contract: Six months.
Rehearsal time before boarding: Four to six weeks.
Payment info: $1,770-3,600 per month.
Medical: Covered at the beginning of rehearsal time.
Additional services required: Safety training. Other cruise staff duties can be elected by performers under a separate contract for additional pay.
Comments: Dancers must be technically trained with a strong background in jazz. Singers must be able to sing contemporary Broadway and pop. Females: Altos and soprano belts with ranges spanning from low F to high C. Males: Baritones to tenors with ranges spanning from baritone low A to high tenor C.
Bramson Booking Agents
Contact Info: Linda Raff
Doria Goodrich
630 Ninth Ave., Ste. 203
New York, NY 10036
(212) 265-3500
www.bramson.com
info@bramson.com
Cruise Line Clients: Holland America, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Celebrity, Radison Seven Seas, Crystal Cruises, Oceania, Cunard, Saga, Royal Olympic, Asuka (NYK Cruises).
Types of performers hired: Variety artists, pianists, vocalists, harpists, magicians, comics, musicians.
Hiring dates: Ongoing.
Audition schedule: Videotapes only.
Length of contract: One-year agreement from the time of the last booking.
Payment info: Varies.
Medical: None.
Comments: "We basically work with headline entertainers who can do their own 45-minute show—at least one 45-minute show, plus the second spot of 25 to 30 minutes," says Bramson Agency President Linda Raff.
Don Casino Productions, Inc.
Contact Info: Wendy Friedman
20880 West Dixie Hwy., Ste. 105
Miami, FL 33180
(305) 931-7552
www.doncasino.com
Cruise line clients: 14 lines, including Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Celebrity,
Carnival, Princess, and Silver Seas.
Types of performers hired: Comedians, singers, and novelty acts.
Hiring dates: Ongoing.
Length of contract: Varies.
Payment info: Varies.
Showcase on Feb. 8, send videotapes c/o Candi Casino.
Medical: Access to on-ship doctor.
Number of shows per cruise: Depends on the cruise line.
Comments: "We've been in business over 20 years," says vice president Candi Casino, a one-time cruise ship singer. Her tips: "It's important to have a slick videotape because that's our selling tool. If the tape's not good, if there are problems with the audio or video, we're not going to send it on to the cruise lines. Not that you have to spend a lot of money to get a great tape. Performers should tape themselves all the time and send us their best stuff."
Neal Hollander Agency
Contact Info: Neal Hollander
9936 Majorca Place
Boca Raton, FL 33434
www.nealhollanderagency.com
(561) 482-1400
Cruise line clients: Celebrity Cruises, Princess, Holland America, Royal Caribbean, Crystal,
Norwegian, and Disney.
Types of performers hired: Variety acts, musicians, bands, pianists, cabaret acts.
Hiring dates: Ongoing.
Payment info: Varies.
Length of contract: From one week to six months.
Medical: Must have a full medical and drug test before boarding.
Proship Entertainment Booking Agency
Contact Info:
5253 Decarie Blvd, Ste. 308
Montreal, Quebec
Canada H3W 3C2
www.proship.com
(514) 485-8823
Cruise line clients: Celebrity Cruises, Princess, Holland America, Royal Caribbean, Crystal, Cunard, and Carnival.
Types of performers hired: Vocalists, pianists, bands very important, also variety artists, comics, jugglers, magicians.
Hiring dates: Ongoing.
Salary: Varies.
Length of contract: Averages six months but could be shorter
Number of performers employed: An average of 200 people at sea at all times.
Medical: Full medical coverage onboard and on land, but must have a physical exam prior to coming aboard.
Auditions: Holds auditions in U.S.A., Canada, England, France, the Netherlands, Australia, and New Zealand. Audition by one-hour videotape in front of a live audience, some audio if applicable (see website).
Comments: Musicians need to be university grads with five years' experience playing in shows, Broadway according to Director of Recruitment Leo Arsenult.
Greg Thompson Productions
Contact Info:
921 Elliott Avenue West
Seattle, WA 98119
(206) 281-0885
www.gregthompsonproductions .com
gtpwa@yahoo.com
Comments: "We are not hiring for cruise ships right now."
Jean Ann Ryan Productions
Contact Info: Joanne Maiello
308 Southeast 14th St.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
(954) 523-6399
www.jeanannryanproductions.com
Cruise line client: Norwegian Cruise Lines.
Number of vessels: Eight, introducing Norwegian Cruise Lines' Pride of America in spring 2004
Performers hired per ship: 18-20.
Types of shows: Full-length Broadway production shows, The Music of the Night … The Music of Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, South Beach Rave, Cirque du Soleil shows.
Number of shows per cruise: Three.
Hiring dates: Casting is year-round.
Audition schedule: Two major audition tours per year in major cities, next one is March 2004. Audition information through website, www.jeanannryanproductions.com. Also accepts video submissions, which can be sent to production offices above. Fort Lauderdale residents can audition at any time.
Length of contract: Three to six months.
Rehearsal time before boarding: Three weeks on land in the production company's Fort Lauderdale studio.
Payment info: $500-1,000/week.
Medical: Begins at rehearsal time.
Comments: "Many of our productions also feature specialty performers who do amazing feats on bungee and powerskips."
Peter Grey Triune Presents
Contact Info: Stacy Strangely
1353 North Courtney Parkway, Ste. Y
Merritt Island, FL 32953
(321) 453-2313, ext. 19
Cruise line clients: Princess Cruises, Radisson Seven Seas, Costa Cruises.
Performers hired per ship: Four to 14.
Types of shows: Broadway revue, pop revue, French, Latin show, country show, swing, nostalgia, and classical.
Number of shows per cruise: Three to four.
Hiring dates: Ongoing.
Auditions: Audiotape, audition dates are posted on www.backstage.com.
Audition schedule: Ongoing tours.
Length of contract: Six months.
Rehearsal time before boarding: Four to six weeks.
Payment info: $400-1,200/week.
Additional services required: Some ships require cruise staff social responsibilities.