Each year, Back Stage takes a look at cruise ship opportunities for performers. This year we decided to check in with folks who spend their time bringing entertainment to the floating masses and see what's new.
If you've never considered working on a cruise ship, you might want to take another look. Cruise ship entertainment has changed, and what with various unions taking turns going out on strike here on land, warbling on the water may be your best job in 2008.
Back Stage: So, what's new in cruise ship entertainment? Is there a trend?
Christopher Nichol, former cruise director, Princess Cruises: The caliber has gone up a hundred percent. People are used to going to resorts, and they want to see the things they'd see in Las Vegas or New York. They want to see that kind of a show on a ship, and that's what they're getting now. They've got theatres that hold 500 people to 1,200 people. They're seeing a tribute to a pop star or a Broadway-style revue with set pieces moving in and out, and in another room they'll have a comedian you've seen on HBO. It's nonstop entertainment now.
John Charron, senior director-choreographer for Stiletto Entertainment/ Holland America: We all want to be better than the next guy, so they're throwing more money into the productions themselves: sets, costumes — huge shows. Our stages are bigger than some Broadway theatres. And the bells and whistles we have are unbelievable. I can deliver my sets from the floor, from the fly space, from the wings. We have a million-dollar LED wall. We even have flying in one of our shows. We have a flying ballet.
Jill Marie Burke, cruise ship entertainer (Norwegian, Radisson): They have more updated, state-of-the-art stages, with hydraulic lifts and turntables and that kind of thing. But the trend that has really impressed me has been really high-caliber, talented people that I thought would never consider going out and doing cruise ships who have turned to that choice. In the last couple of years the names that I've heard have kind of floored me. I think it's both because work on land is more scarce and also because the quality of the shows has improved. I mean, in general it's still fluff, it's still "Vegas out at sea," but these ships are coming out with state-of-the-art conditions, new costumes — and the quality of the performers has really improved.
Andrea Rae, cruise ship singer (Cunard, Norwegian): There's a point of change right now. Not only do you have the production shows but, for example, on my ship, they had a Second City comedy troupe that was on board as well, and that was a new thing. They were trying out some new stuff with the bands. They hired somebody to really get them in shape and make them into great bands. They're really giving entertainment a tune-up. They're trying to be more and more innovative — appeal to more and more people.
Barbara Epstein, director and producer, Barbara Epstein & Associates: Well, the three shows I just put up for Azamara [a new, deluxe brand for Royal Caribbean/ Celebrity Cruises] were all revues, but unlike traditional cruise ship shows — which are in large showrooms with prerecorded music, dancers who just dance, and singers who just sing — these shows were all live, performed in cabaret rooms with a seven-piece live band and five performers who did everything. And these particular shows have a lot of funny dialogue and audience interaction. So I had to find people who could sing, act, move well, hold difficult harmonies, and handle comedy, which made it exceedingly difficult to cast, probably the hardest casting job I've ever had.
Back Stage: What's the biggest misconception about the job?
Nichol: Well, I think actually it's starting to wane a little bit now, but I think the conception was that you'd work on a cruise ship because you couldn't work on land. That was what people used to think of. You got on a cruise ship because you couldn't get a job in the theatre. But that's not the fact now. The fact is that the people who work on Broadway and on the West End are just dying to get on a cruise ship because they know they're going to get at least a six-month contract and they're going to be taken care of.
Burke: I just think cruise ships have always gotten a bad rap, but the fact is that some of the best people I've ever worked with have been on a cruise ship. I mean, I've worked with some inexperienced people too, but there were people with major Broadway credits out there.
Mindy McLemore, project manager, the Gary Musick Company: I think a common misconception is that it's cheesy — that all the shows are cheesy, the work is cheesy, and you're just a big ball of cheese up there. And from a certain perspective that may be true, but I think the production value of the shows that we've produced in the past, and that I think the industry is moving toward, is very content-oriented.
Douglas Senecal, general manager, Stiletto Entertainment: The biggest misconception that we face at auditions is, "Oh, it's just a cruise ship. It's not going to be challenging choreography. It's not going to be challenging singing. I'm not going to be able to perfect my craft." Couldn't be further from the truth. Now, granted, there are some [cruise] lines that will do step-touch-step-touch and sing "Waitin' for the Robert E. Lee." But Holland America has cutting-edge shows that push the envelope. Our guys don't create step-touch shows.
Back Stage: Beyond talent, what do you look for in performers who audition?
Rodi Alexander, cruise ship entertainer for 20 years and booker for Don Casino Productions: A great act; something that will pique the audience's attention.
Epstein: Great talent and wonderful accessibility.
Charron: We want nice people. You've got to be with these people for six months. I don't need any divas. Am I feeling attitude on that video?
Senecal: We have to do a 30-second psychological evaluation of them as they're singing, to see: Are we getting any weird vibes? Because you're going to put them in this enclosed ship.
McLemore: In our work with [Norwegian Cruise Line], they don't want someone who is just a dancer. They're looking for someone who not only, of course, has great technique and great skills as a performer; they're looking for someone who has personality and can really give the audience an experience and a connection. There are companies who are very, very strict about appearance — weight, height, their look — and that's really all they care about. In our casting, we've always cared a little more about who the performer is and what they bring to the table in terms of personality. With NCL in particular, they're definitely going away from that very cookie-cutter look.
Back Stage: Is everyone cut out for this job? What kinds of people don't take well to it?
Alexander: Someone who needs to be doing something constantly. Let's say you're on for a week. You may only perform twice.
Nichol: Each night may be a different show. You've got to be quick, and you've got to have a good brain.
Epstein: Two things can be really scary: If you're an overeater, it's a bad place to be, and if you're a big drinker, it's a bad place to be, because a lot of people drink every night on the ship because it's something to do. On the other hand, every ship has a gym. So you could get in a wonderful habit of working out twice a day, and you'll be in great shape.
Senecal: I've said this for the 22 years I've been in the business: You love it or you hate it. You get on board, and we have the people who can't wait to come back for the next contract, and you have people who are like, "Get me out of here."
McLemore: We tell people up front. At every audition, we give them all the bad side. If you're a person who does not thrive in an environment where there are rules and regulations, then ships are not for you. Because that's the other side of it. Yes, it's fun, it's great, you get to see the world, and you're getting paid to sing and dance, but you also have to be aware that you are one part of the big picture on a ship, and there are all these people that are above you, and there are certain procedures. So that's one thing. And also, if you're a person that doesn't do well in confined spaces, then a ship is not for you either. The cabins are small.
Back Stage: Any other considerations our readers should know about?
Epstein: I think the thing that's hard about the gig is that you're pulling yourself out of circulation for six months. So what you have to ask yourself is, "What am I getting in exchange for it?" I think if you know you're either going to go to places in the world you want to see or you're going to be doing shows that are going to work your chops and you're going to return saying, "I'm in the best voice I've ever been," or "I now have a skill," or something like that, then it's doing something for you. It can also be a great way to go away and get yourself out of debt.
Nichol: Just be prepared that once you sign a contract, you're committing yourself. It's not like the cruise ship can just pull in somewhere and get someone to fill your shoes, especially if you're a singer or dancer. It takes anywhere from three weeks up to eight weeks to learn all the material. If someone backs out, [it's hard to replace them]. Also, depending on your position, you might be sharing a small room — six months with someone who you may have just met. And unlike a Broadway show, you might only work three nights out of seven.
Rae: There's a bunch of things that you have to take into consideration when you go out on these things. For the most part, your family, your community is the cruise ship. Now, that could be amazing, or that could really suck, or it could be both.
Back Stage: What's the best thing about the gig?
Rae: It's an amazing training ground. I became a much better performer and a much more versatile performer by having these experiences. Especially if you're a young person and you're just starting out, it's an amazing experience, because you're doing so many different styles of music. My background was in opera; I had to sing pop music. That was new for me.
Charron: You come back a better dancer, a better singer, a better performer than when you left. It's almost a school.
McLemore: You absolutely cannot beat the fact that you're getting paid very good money — with no expenses — to sing and dance, and you wake up every morning and you're in a beautiful new port. Whether it's in the Caribbean or the Baltic or the Mediterranean or South America, Alaska, Hawaii, the travel aspect of it is truly great.
Alexander: I think it's an incredible opportunity — a chance to rest and relax and, at the same time, do your craft, which you love to do. And you see the world. When my family is with me, we're out touring. We've been to the Baltic and the Mediterranean and Italy and France and Spain and Russia and Germany. We were seeing the world, and it's amazing for that. Personally, I love it.
Where to 'ship' your headshots and résumés
Cruise Lines
Azamara/Celebrity Cruises
Contact info: Leigh-Ann
Thomason, Specialist
Entertainment Productions
(305) 262-6677
1050 Caribbean Way
Miami, FL 33132
Carnival Cruise Lines
Contact info: Simon Griffiths,
Production Manager
Carnival Productions
3655 NW 87th Ave.
Miami, FL 33178
(305) 599-2200
Number of vessels: 22
Hiring dates: Ongoing
Audition schedule: Hire by open-call auditions and by show reel submissions, which can be sent directly to the line; include a résumé and headshot. Approximately four to five national and international audition tours per year.
Audition locations: Visit www.carnivalentertainment.com. Cities for 2008 include New York, Los Angeles, Detroit, Atlanta, Chattanooga, Nashville, Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, and London. We also have agents in Russia and Australia.
Rehearsal time before boarding: Three to eight weeks for production shows
Length of contract: All dancer/singer contracts range from six to nine months
Salary information: Varies per performer
Medical: A full medical before hiring is required, and all employees are covered medically while onboard for up to a two-year period.
Additional services required: All dancers are required to do additional entertainment activities for which they are paid on a bonus system in additional to their weekly base salary. 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 entertainment activities.
Comments: Carnival seeks high-caliber talents, whether young performers starting their careers or older, more experienced performers, said Vice President of Cruise Programming, Roger Blum. 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 different working environment — one that enables our entertainers to travel to beautiful destinations and get to know co-workers and guests from dozens of different countries. Plus, Carnival offers a comprehensive benefits package, including a shipboard retirement plan. As a result, we have a very loyal workforce and some dancers have been on our ships for more than ten years.
Crystal Cruises
Contact Info: Gretchen Goertz and Kathy Orme, Artistic Directors C/O 555 S. San Rafael Ave. Pasadena, CA 91105
(626) 441-6267
Fax: (626) 441-5111
production@crystalcruises.com
www.CrystalCruises.com
Number of vessels: 3 (Crystal Harmony, Crystal Symphony, and Crystal Serenity)
Hiring dates: Periodically throughout the year. Detailed information available by visiting www.crystalcruises.com/employment.aspx#id4
Audition schedule: Periodically throughout the year
Audition location: Pasadena, CA
Submission policy: Promotional kit (cover, resumé, headshot, VHS/DVD of performance)
Rehearsal time before boarding: eight to 10 weeks
Types of shows: Broadway-style revues
Number of performers hired per ship: 14
Number of shows per cruise: Average, five production shows
Length of contract: One year
Travel areas: Worldwide
Salary information: On par with industry
Medical: Benefits included with performance contract
Additional services required of performer: Light cruise staff duties (library, bingo, trivia), in-port manning (as required by the vessel)
Perks: Yearly contracts and salaries, paid rehearsals and vacations, medical benefits, onboard-officer status with single cabin, elegant six-star cruising aboard the most glorious ships at sea.
Comments: Christopher Escamilla of Crystal Cruises says, Our international sailings have set the standard for six-star security abroad, using multi-leveled security procedures to ensure the patron's safety.
Cunard Line
Contact Info: Martin Lilly, Director of Entertainment
24305 Town Center Dr.
Santa Clarita, CA 91355
(661) 653-2450
Fax: (661) 753-0118
mlilly@princesscruises.com
www.cunard.com
Number of vessels: 2 (QE2 and QM2). Third being built, QV2
Hiring dates: Year round
Audition locations: UK and Europe
Rehearsal time before boarding: four to five weeks, with pay
Types of shows: Las Vegas-style production shows
Number of performers hired per ship: 10: QE2, 16: QM2.
Number of shows per cruise: Two to four
Length of contract: Varies, with an average of six months
Travel areas: Worldwide
Salary information: Each salary is negotiated according to talent level and experience
Medical: Full coverage
Additional services required: Dependent on the contract, minimal staff duties. Most are entertainment-related.
Disney Cruise Line
Contact info:
Human Resources
200 Celebration Pl.
Celebration, FL 34747
(800) 951-3532
Entertainment Audition Hotline: (407) 566-7577
Fax résumés to (407) 566-7575; Attn: Entertainment
Audition Website:
www.disneyauditions.com
General Ship-board information: www.disneycruise.com
Number of vessels: 2
Hiring dates: Four fluctuating hiring seasons throughout the year
Submission policy: We do not hire from video audition submission.
Audition schedule: For information on the next scheduled audition, see audition website.
Rehearsal time before boarding: Six to eight weeks in Toronto
Types of shows: Currently casting for four original musical theatre-style shows performed in repertory
Number of performers hired per ship: 30
Length of contract: 7 to 9 months, including rehearsal
Additional services required: Safety drills. No cruise staff duties.
More information can be found at www.dcljobs.com
Comments: Also looking for experienced cruise directors, deputy and assistant cruise directors, cruise staff, technical supervisors and technical personnel including audio lighting, video, special effects props, costumers, carpenters, stage hands, show-controlled engineers, and automated system riggers.
Holland America/Stiletto Entertainment
Contact info: Ken Romero and Kim Stowe, Casting Supervisors Douglas Senecal, General Manager, Cruise Ship Operations
8295 S. La Cienega Blvd.
Inglewood, CA. 90301
(310) 957-5757
www.stilettoentertainment.com
Number of vessels: 14
Hiring dates: Ongoing
Audition schedule: Ongoing
Audition locations: Country-wide. Check website for up-to-the-minute details.
Rehearsal time before boarding: One month prior. All accommodations are provided.
Types of shows: Varied — standard Broadway, tribute to Broadway, jazz or big-band show, tribute to country, rock 'n' roll, or generic pop, classic '50s-type, doo-wop theme.
Number of performers hired per ship: 10 to 14
Number of shows per cruise: Between three and five, based on a seven-to-10-day cruise
Length of contract: Six months
Travel areas: Worldwide
Salary information: $3,033-$5,416/month for singers, $2,883-$3,683/month for dancers.
All meals and accommodations provided.
Medical: Medical coverage while on board
Additional services required: Passenger interaction activities only. No cruise staff duties.
Perks: After qualifying number of contract days with Holland America, performer and a guest, or parents, get a free cruise. Friends and family can be brought onboard at a reduced cost once qualifying days are completed. Performers have officer status.
Comments: Please consult our Web site to see what life at sea is all about. Come on aboard! Audition for our cruise ship contracts. It's a wonderful opportunity to perform, do what you love to do and get paid for it while you meet new people and travel, says General Manager of Cruise Ship Operations, Douglas Senecal.
Imperial Majesty Cruise Line
Contact info: Andrea Lasapio
4161 NW Fifth St., Suite 200
Plantation, FL 33317-2158
(954) 453-4625, (877) 772-IMCL
Fax: (954) 453-4626
alasapio@imperialmajesty.com
info@globalmaritimegroup.com
www.imperialmajesty.com
Number of vessels: 1
Hiring dates: At the end of each eight-month contract
Audition schedules: Ongoing
Production hiring: Twice per year through Global Entertainment in Greece. Please check
Web site for more detailed information.
Rehearsal time before boarding: Approximately three-week training with Production
Manager. Once on-board, rehearsals every day for a few hours.
Types of shows: Musical revue (singing and dancing), duo (popular music), piano
Number of performers hired per ship: 15
Number of shows per cruise: Four revues
Length of contract: Eight to 10 months per year
Salary information: Varies
Medical: Required coverage
Norwegian Cruise Line/Norwegian Cruise Line America Entertainment
Contact info:Sue Carper (comedians, magicians, variety acts, cabaret vocalists, cabaret instrumentalists)
(305) 436-4680
7665 Corporate Center Dr.
Miami, FL 33126
www.ncl.com
Number of vessels: 14
Hiring dates: Year round
Submission policy: Video/CD promo (not returned)
Types of shows: Musical revues and cabaret
Number of shows per cruise: one (performed twice) with a possible second show in a secondary lounge; possible welcome aboard (15 minutes), one main show (45 minutes) repeated twice, 1 possible split show (20-25 minutes), 1 possible farewell show (15 minutes).
Length of contract: Varies
Travel areas: Mediterranean, Scandinavia, Alaska, Caribbean, Hawaii, South America, Bermuda, Mexican Riviera, Baltics, Antarctica
Advice for performers: Work on your craft.
Princess Cruise Lines
Contact info: Kerry Lovegrove,
Manager of Show Productions
Production Shows/Dancers/Vocalists
Entertainment Department
24305 Town Center Dr.
Santa Clarita, CA 91355
(661) 753-2430
Fax: (661) 753-0118
klovegrove@princesscruises.com
www.princesscruises.com
Number of vessels: 16
Hiring dates: Continuous
Audition schedule: None posted at present due to high percentage of returning performers
Submission policy: Résumé, photo, video/DVD footage
Rehearsal time before boarding: Four weeks prior to contract
Types of shows: Broadway, contemporary, MTV, and Vegas
Number of performers hired per ship: Varies from ship to ship, but basically seven girls, six boys, and four lead vocalists
Number of shows per cruise: Varies from ship to ship and depends on itineraries
Length of contract: Approximately six months
Travel areas: Caribbean, Alaska, New England, Europe, Baltic, Asia, Australia, South America
Perks: Dancer-only contracts, no duties, no curfews. Vocalists have passenger status, single outside accommodation, guest travel
New additions/provisions for 2008: New ship, Ruby Princess
Advice for performers: Performing on a cruise ship is not easy. Changes that occur during the contract — injuries, weather conditions, new shows, technical difficulties — can be frustrating, and...these problems are not easily corrected, unlike [with] land-based organizations. So being adaptable and supportive to change is required when onboard, comments Kerry Lovegrove.
Royal Caribbean International
Contact info:
MaryAnn Delany, director of Entertainment
Paul Hardy, managing producer, Entertainment
Christi Coachman-Orengo, manager, Casting & Shipboard Operations
Jerre Taylor-Feeney, Singers
Patrick Mullaney, Dancers
Royal Caribbean Productions
2700 Hollywood Boulevard
Hollywood, FL 33020
(954) 925-0417
Fax: (954) 922-7545
www.royalcaribbeanproductions.com
Hiring dates: Continuous
Audition schedule: Many scheduled all over the world (see Web site for audition calendar and specific dates).
Audition locations: Worldwide
Submission policy: Video submissions accepted in certain format (detailed information on website).
Rehearsal schedule before boarding: Four to six weeks
Types of shows: Contemporary theatrical stage productions
Number of performers hired per ship: 12 to 18
Length of contract: Six to eight months
Number of vessels: 22
Travel areas: Caribbean, Alaska, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada/New England, Hawaii, Mexico, Europe, Pacific Northwest, Panama Canal, and Asia
Salary information: Varies
Medical: Yes
Additional services required by performers: No additional cruise staff duties.
Perks: Rehearsal per diem, state-of-the-art rehearsal facility, housing provided, guest cruise privileges, professional working environment, contemporary productions
Salary information: Given upon offer of contract
Advice for performers: "Come in with an open mind, ready to sing and dance! Of course after all the work is complete there is plenty of time to enjoy each destination along with the opportunity to travel the world. You even get paid for this," says Christi Coachman, Manager, Casting & Shipboard Operations for Royal Caribbean International.
Booking Agents
Bramson Entertainment Bureau, Inc.
Contact info: Linda Raff
630 Ninth Ave., Ste. 203
New York, NY 10036
(212) 265-3500
Florida Office: Jan Stenning
(954) 423-8853
info@bramson.com
www.bramson.com
Cruise line clients: Holland America, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Celebrity, Radisson Seven Seas, Crystal Cruises, Oceania, Cunard, Saga, Royal Olympic, Asuka (NYK Cruises).
Types of performers hired: Variety artists, pianists, vocalists, harpists, magicians, comics, musicians, comedy jugglers
Hiring dates: Ongoing
Audition schedule: Videotapes only
Length of contract: Varies
Salary information: Varies
Medical: None
Comments: As for auditions, ideally, if we can see a videotape of a live performance — and it can be a 45-minute show — that's the best thing to see for this particular market, says Bramson Agency President Linda Raff. She also adds that security on the ships has been built up in the last few years. Everybody must travel with a passport nowadays, even if they are not going outside of the country. They have to have everybody's pertinent information ahead of time. Getting on a ship now, you need to have official paperwork from the cruise line that you are supposed to be onboard. If you fly to join a ship, you have to have a boarding letter. The security is also beefed up in all of the port areas as well.
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: All lines including Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Celebrity, Holland America, Carnival, Princess, Disney, Cunard, etc. Submission policy: Showcase on Feb. 10, 2008. Send DVD's to DCP Types of performers hired:
Comedians, vocalists, jugglers, magicians, hypnotists, instrumentalists, groups, novelty acts, etc.
Hiring dates: Ongoing
Length of contract: From two days to six months
Salary information: Varies
Medical: Access to on-ship doctor
Neal Hollander Agency
Contact info: Neal Hollander
9936 Majorca Pl.
Boca Raton, FL 33434
(561) 482-1400
www.nealhollanderagency.com
Cruise line clients: Celebrity Cruises, Princess, Holland America, Royal Caribbean, Crystal, Norwegian, Disney
Types of performers hired: Variety acts, musicians, bands, pianists, cabaret acts.
Hiring dates: Ongoing
Length of contract: Varies. Major names could go on for weeks. Bands, usually three months at a time
Salary information: Varies
Medical: Must have a full medical and drug test before boarding
Advice for performers: Performers have to get themselves a promo package, including video, and then get out to the agents of the cruise ships to see if they can get hired. Once they get the job, my best advice is to stay away from the casino, chuckles Neal Hollander, founder of the agency.
Proship Entertainment
Contact info: Greg Buckles, Account Manager
Proship Entertainment Inc.
980 Saint Antoine West, suite #710
Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3W 3C2
(514) 485-8823
Toll-Free for USA and Canada: (888) 477-6744
Fax: (514) 485-2675
gbuckles@proship.com
www.proship.com
Cruise line clients: Crystal, Celebrity, Cunard, Seabourn, Princess, P&O, Royal Caribbean, Holland America, Windstar Sail Cruises, V-Ships, Carnival, Compagnie des Iles du Ponant, and more
Land clients: Proship is currently developing land markets for its performance staffing services including hotels, casinos, resorts, circuses, permanent and touring shows.
Types of performers recruited: show orchestra musicians, cocktail pianists, piano bar entertainers, solo guitarist/vocalists, classical guitarists, harpists, vocalists, guest entertainers, and dancers.
Types of musical groups recruited: Lounge bands, contemporary bands, party bands, jazz bands, tropical island bands, Latin bands, a cappella groups, classical ensembles.
Types of non-performance candidates recruited: Guest entertainers, cruise directors, assistant cruise directors, animator, cruise staff, disc jockeys, social hostesses, broadcast managers, videographers, ITV managers, audio-visual managers, sound technicians, light technicians, audio-visual technicians
Hiring dates: Ongoing
Audition locations: Worldwide
Submission policy: 30-minute videotape, preferably live. Audio files if applicable.
Recent photographs, resume, description of performance
Number of performers hired per ship: Currently around 1,000 per year
Salary information: Ranges greatly. Call for more information.
Length of contract: From two weeks to six months
Medical: Full medical coverage, must possess a pre-employment physical examination.
Production Companies
Barbara Epstein & Associates
Contact info:
Barbara Epstein & Associates
11689 Sunshine Terrace
Studio City, CA91604
www.barbaraepstein.com
Cruise line clients: Azamara/Celebrity
Hiring dates: March 2008 and August 2008
Audition locations: LA, NY, London, others TBD in February and July.
Submission policy: DVDs, picture and resume. Need to see performance on DVD: singing, dancing, and musical COMEDY. Want to see a character song or interaction with an audience.
Rehearsal time before boarding: One month in Los Angeles
Types of shows: Musical revues, difficult tight harmonies, lots of comedy and dialogue and interaction with an audience, dance ability a plus
Number of performers hired per ship: Five, each one a star.
Length of contract: 6-month performance contracts (one-month rehearsal period not included.)
Salary information: Highest in the cruise ship business. Depends on experience. Each contract negotiated individually with talent or their agent. Vocal and dance captain make a premium.
Medical: There is a complete medical exam. Info provided by Celebrity. Celebrity reimburses performer for the physical.
Comments: Also, each person has their own passenger, outside cabin. Guest entertainer/passenger status. Not crew status.
FJM Productions
Contact info:
7305 West Sample Road, Suite #101
Coral Springs, Florida 33065
954-753-8591
www.fjmproductions.com
Cruise line clients: Celebrity Cruises
Submission policy: Send c/o Samantha Persaud 8X10, Bio, c.v. and video (DVD)
Hiring dates: six times per year
Audition schedule: TBA on website
Audition locations: TBA on website
Length of contract: six months minimum
Types of performers hired: Dancers (jazz and ballet), singers (tenors and sopranos)
Types of shows: Variety
Rehearsal time before boarding: Four weeks in Orlando at Hardrive Productions
Salary info: Call office for info
Medical: Required
Travel areas: Europe, Australia, Caribbean, Alaska, and USA
Comments: Talent must be 18 years and older. Must be professional, with experience and performance skills. The
Gary Musick Company
Contact info:
Cruise Ship Auditions
Attn: Mindy McLemore
Gary Musick Productions
885 Elm Hill Pike
Nashville, TN 37210
(615) 259-2400
auditions@garymusick.com
www.garymusick.com
Cruise line clients: Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Lines
Submission policy: If unable to attend live auditions, please send a non-returnable videotape (VHS preferred), CDV or DVD, with picture and resume.
Hiring dates: Year round, but most intensely from November through January and May through June
Audition schedule: Fall/winter. Check website for details.
Audition locations: London, New York, Toronto, Nashville
Length of contract: Six months plus a four-to-six week rehearsal period
Types of performers hired: singers and dancers
Types of shows: Challenging, Broadway-style musical reviews with varying themes
Rehearsal time before boarding: Four weeks in Nashville
Salary info: Singers: 800 to 1200 weekly, dancers: 450 to 700 weekly
Medical: A physical exam, documented on the cruise line paperwork, is required.
Travel areas: Caribbean, Mediterranean, Baltic, Hawaii, Alaska, New Zealand/Australia
Advice for performers: We seek versatile, highly skilled singers and dancers who love to perform. Your ability to sell and communicate with the audience through your performance are highly considered in our casting process.
Jean Ann Ryan Productions
Contact info: Jean Ann Ryan, President
308 S.E. 14th St.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
(954) 523-6399
Fax: (954) 523-5407
JARJobs@aol.com
www.jeanannryanproductions.com
Cruise line clients: Include Norwegian, P&O, Silversea.
Number of vessels: Twelve-plus, and increasing each year
Hiring dates: Year round
Audition schedule: Check Web site, Backstage, Backstage West, and all other trade publications for a listing of our audition dates and times.
Audition locations: U.S., Europe, and Australia several times a year. Check out Web site for exact cities and dates. New cities added each year. Also by appointment in Fort Lauderdale.
Submission policy: CDs, DVDs, videos, pictures, and résumés. Press packets are accepted year round.
Rehearsal time before boarding: Varies per project; new shows debuting on vessels: approximately six weeks; cast changes: usually three weeks prior to boarding and one week onboard prior to opening. Rehearsals on land take place in Fort Lauderdale at our rehearsal facility.
Types of shows: Cirque shows, contemporary song-and-dance shows, concert-style revues, Broadway musical revues, working with production teams from Cameron
Mackintosh and Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Group
Number of performers hired per ship: Approximately 300 total performers per year
Number of shows per cruise: Varies. Usually three to four productions per vessel. Length of contract: Three to six months. Once a performer completes a contract on one vessel, we like to move them to another vessel. This enables us to offer a performer long-term work with variety.
Travel areas: Caribbean, Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, New England, Europe, South America, Australia, and Asia
Salary information: Based on position and discussed at the time of contract
Additional services required of performer: Varies per ship. The majority are performers only. Principal singers are often given the opportunity to perform their own cabaret.
Perks: Travel, room, and board included. Exposure and work with Cameron Mackintosh and Really Useful Group.
New additions/provisions for 2008: Norwegian will debut a new mega liner, the
Norwegian Jade, within the next few months, with an exciting and varied free-style entertainment program. Additionally, P&O's new Flagship Ventura will debut this spring with seven new production shows. And there will be a new program on the six-star Silversea ships.
Peter Grey Terhune Presents
Contact info: Stacy Straney,
Casting Director
1353 North Courtney Parkway, Ste. Y
Merritt Island, FL 32953
(321) 453-2313, ext. 12
www.pgtpi.com
Cruise line clients: Princess Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
Hiring dates: Ongoing.
Audition schedule: Ongoing.
Audition location: Locations and dates posted on www.backstage.com. Submission policy: Audio and video tapes/DVDs sent to above address, or email to info@pgtpi.com.
Rehearsal time before boarding: Four to six weeks
Types of shows: Musical revues of various styles: musical theater, country, swing, nostalgia, ballroom, and pop music of the 60s and 70s
Number of performers hired per ship: Eight to 12
Types of performers hired: Singers, singer/dancers, and dancers, including ballroom dance couples.
Number of shows per cruise: Four to six, depending on cruise length
Length of contract: Six months
Salary information: $400-$1,200/week
Additional services required: Some ships require cruise staff social responsibilities.
Other: Some single, some double accommodations. Worldwide itineraries.