How to become a disney dancer
My Disney Story: Auditioning for Disney
My Disney Story: Auditioning for Disney
Sweat was already dripping down my forehead as I walked into my first Disney audition. It was a hot Florida Spring day. The room was full of other sweaty dancers and performers like me, warming up as they sat next to their bag full of dance shoes.
I decided to go to the audition on a whim. I was home in Orlando on Spring break from my freshman year of college and had just turned 19. Having grown up in Orlando, I always wondered what a Disney audition would be like.
In many ways, it fulfilled what I imagined—a room full of dancers stretching, chatting and pinning numbers to their tops. In other ways, it was not what I expected—friends wishing each other luck as they went back into the audition room, an emboldening sense of camaraderie among the 400+ people there.
I did not expect to feel a part of a community. I thought competition would be fierce and it would be a room full of whispers and side-eyes. But there I was in a hot holding room wanting the same thing everyone else did. It was more than the circumstances alone that brought us together. It was the passion and desire to do what we love—dance.
But wait, let’s back up. How did I get to that sweaty audition on that humid day?
Where Can I Find Disney Auditions?
I didn’t just stumble in there. I researched and found the posting myself on www.DisneyAuditions.com. Audition notices for all Disney Parks are posted here, and not just for dancers but for singers, musicians, stunt-artists, and acrobats too.
The call I attended was for “Parade Performers,” which I later learned was different than a call for “Dancers.” Parade Performers do just that, dance in parades. Their department is in the same family as character “look-a-likes” and the performers often do both. A dancer call will have you auditioning for Disney’s stage productions like “Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire.
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Regardless, both auditions are run similarly and are a great opportunity to get seen by Casting.
What Should I Expect At A Disney Audition?
First, there is a type-out. Disney auditions often garner over 400 dancers at one call, so narrowing down the pool of eligible applicants is essential. A type-out involves a basic dance routine that demonstrates classical technique. It typically involves a battement and/or a pirouette. These type-out combinations are rarely more than two 8-counts and involve moving across the floor. They serve to eliminate the novice from the experienced dancer.
Once through the type-out, you proceed on to the next level of the audition. This involves a more challenging combo and further rounds of eliminations.
What Do Casting Directors Look For In A Performer?
Disney casting directors, and most casting directors in general, are looking for someone who embodies the show’s style and story.
They are looking beyond the dance moves and watching how you connect to the show’s narrative. Nearly all of Disney’s shows revolve around a beloved tale. Being able to embody that story and share it with the audience is a vital skill. Too often many dancers forget about selling their performance in the audition room and plaster a look of fierce concentration on their face. Technique is important, but so is acting and performing.
How Can I Audition For Disney?
Disney auditions are ongoing, and their audition site often updates as they seek new performers to fill open roles. Keep a keen eye out for calls that suit you. Most breakdowns have a height range requirement, as well as an overall look that casting directors are searching for. For example, Disney’s Festival of the Lion King seeks “Dancers with excellent ballet technique” while their Halloween Spectacular looks for “Dancers with hip-hop skills.” Know your assets and attend auditions accordingly.
Disney auditions are one of the most approachable auditions to attend. The atmosphere is welcoming, and everyone gets a chance to dance. That hot spring day I booked my first job as an entertainer. I returned from college and worked full-time through the Summer. It was an educational experience that immersed me in the Entertainment field and inspired me to pursue a career in the Performing Arts.
Whether your career begins at Disney, like mine did, or on another stage—remember to work hard and learn from your talented peers. As performers, we are life-long students.
Kelsey is a classically trained dancer and Actor’s Equity performer. She has performed for companies such as Central Florida Ballet, Tokyo Disney, Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and at sea with leading luxury cruise lines. A dancer by day and a writer by night, when Kelsey is not performing she shares her love of dance, travel, and finding a good cup of coffee on her blog Wend Away Travels.
Find her full performance bio and show gallery at www.kelseyannglennon.com.
Being a Disney Dancer | Dance Auditions & More
Ever wanted to attend dance auditions for Disneyland? Well, the SoCal dance community is filled with Disneyland employees.
See Related Article: Evolution Of Our Global Dance Community
What It's Like To Dance And Audition For Disneyland
The crossover between the community dancers and Disney dancers has become so prominent that they even have their own team: Cast Members Only!
See Related Article: Want To Know Why A Dance Project Is So Unique?
So what is it about dancing and working for the Mouse that attracts dancers from all over the community? From helpful advice to crazy performance stories, our wonderful friends from Cast Members Only have answers for you!
1.
So, why DID you audition for Disneyland?"Honestly I needed a job and what gay man can turn down pixie dust, dancing in front of a castle, and getting paid for it?"
– Matt
"On a whim, a few of my college friends and I went to a High School Musical 3 Parade audition; we didn't have class so we were thinking, 'Ummm free dance class!' I ended up making it to the last cut before they picked the new hires, and I felt good with that. Shockingly, a few days later, I got a phone call asking me to come in for a private audition for a 'new project' that was coming out, and I'm like, 'Whaaaaaaaaaaat!' I go back to Anaheim alone, which was #STRESS, and I auditioned. Before I got to the freeway, I was offered a Disney Cruise Line gig. Let's just say, The Princess and the Frog came out and I just happened to be in the right place when they were looking for little black girls ... the rest is history!"
– Kimberlee
2.
Does everyone pass their first dance auditions?"I've always made it to the final cuts but was never chosen. Finally, in April/May 2012, I was one of the five selected to be a performer in Mickey's Soundsational Parade."
– Christian
"Since my senior year in high school, I auditioned for Disney maybe 8 times before getting hired. Despite all the 'no's, I never gave up."
– Loren
See Related Article: How To Make Your Dream Dance Team
3. Was being a Disney dancer the main life goal for some of our cast members?"Dancing for the Mouse has been one of my life goals and it is a blessing that I have achieved it. I'm keeping this as long as possible, as well as hopefully pursuing more opportunities in Disney."
– Eugene
"Dancing at Disney has always been a dance goal for me.I used to always watch the parades when I was little, and I thought it would be such a fun job to have. Right now, I'm a nursing student, and once I start my career, I don't know if I'll have time for Disney, but I'll do my best to make it work. If possible, once I get experience, I hope to work at Disney part time as a nurse."
– Loren
"The goal is to actually work for corporate Disney, so I'm trying to stay as long as I possibly can."
– Rey
See Related Article: 7 Ways Being A Dancer Can Help You In A Job Interview
"Disney was absolutely never a dream job, but I guess I was just in the right place at the right time. For now, Disney is great; it's a laid back schedule. But my life goals are event planning and marketing, either within the company or outside of it. This body cannot perform 6 shows a day forever!"
– Kimberlee
"I tried out for fun in support of a friend but ended up loving it.I actually plan to move soon to Hawaii to become a teacher and to get a job at Aulani (Disney Hawaii Resort) as a performer. I want to keep my Disney ties and I love working for Disney because there are so many new people you can connect with, and everyone has a similar love and zest for life with that Disney flare."
– Maryann
4. The best part about working at Disney is pretty clear..."I love that it makes people happy, especially kids and the elderly. The most genuine smiles come from kids and old people."
– Erik
"The rush of dancing in front of people NEVER GETS OLD. It's such an interesting dynamic from dancing anywhere else because you have a super captivated audience every single day. When you dance at school or even in the community, your audience is way more subjective – they can like your piece or hate it.At Disney, no matter what we do, people love it. People pay hundreds (the prices just went up again *eye roll*) just to watch us, and the kids' faces are worth it."
– Kimberlee
"The best part is honestly bringing the magic to all that come to that happy place. I was once in their shoes, and to now switch roles knowing that I could be that person who started that little boy or girl's dream is the icing on the cake."
– Christian
5. ...but there are other perks as well!"During down time, we'll go into the dance room and someone will teach a class and everybody would go AWFF!!!!"
– Denzel
"Having a free Disneyland pass haha. Being able to go in whenever I want is probably one of the best feelings."
– Rey
6. Are there any things the cast members wish they knew about being a Disney dancer?"How random the hours can be and how unforgiving Disney is when you are late or sick."
– Maryann
"I wish I knew about the inconsistent scheduling."
– Eugene
"To be honest, I wish I knew that cast member discounts don't work on popcorn or churro carts. Devastating, I know. In all seriousness though, I wish I had at least a little experience in technical dancing because it's the main style at Disney."
– Kevin
"Imma keep it real: it's kinda like high school and being on a dance team. There is a lot of Disney drama like, 'Why did he get that role?' and, 'Why didn't I get casted?' and, 'This new person sucks.'"
– Ehrik
"Sometimes the system can be very unfair and based off everything else but talent. You think that's what's most important but actually it's all about look, and there are tens of thousands of rules to follow pertaining to."
– Erik
7. Being cheesy and "thinking Disney" seem to be VERY important..."Think DISNEY, think cheesy, think big movements and ALSO, SMILE! Other than that, GO THE HELL OFF!!!"
– Denzel
"When going into the audition, look clean and prepared: shaved face, proper haircut, no earrings – basically nothing too out of the norm. Dance-wise, have full out facials and smile a lot. They like really clean dancers and it's more of a happy go lucky thing, so you can't exactly do the choreo all hip hop."
– Rey
See Related Article: The 10 Facials You Make When You Dance
"Disney is a ONE day audition. You get ONE chance to impress a room full of casting directors that are barely even looking up from their papers. Mickey gives you about 30 minutes maybe to learn, go across the floor, and do a combo.Also, the biggest thing is HIP HOP FACE. So many times, really amazing community people are turned away because they're killin' it from the neck down but their faces aren't giving life. This is a G rated situation. More youthful, fun, energetic! Less hard hitting, bawse bitch, and angry."
– Kimberlee
8. ...but the cast members have other pieces of advice for dancers!"Just be available. I hate getting new people who can only work 2 days; if that's the case, go work at Forever 21 #sorryboo. Also, make sure you put in them ADOs early cause come competition time, literally everyone is being scheduled out their availability and us all trying to get the same day off is not going to work!"
– Ehrik
"Keep auditioning, and don't audition strictly for dancing roles. ANYTHING could be a gateway for ANYTHING in the park – don't limit yourself!"
– Maryann
"Don't ever give up.It only takes one time for casting to say 'yes'. Some people have tried 10 times and finally got it on the 11th. The Walt Disney company always says, 'If you can dream it, you can do.'"
– Sonny
9. Rehearsing and performing all the time MUST lead to some interesting stories, right?"I was walking into a back stage area and I stepped on a curb. I thought it was a child, but I looked down and realized it was just a curb. I laughed it off and started to skip... only to swing my arm backwards, punching a child in the face. YES, the fur cushioned the blow, but the child was on the floor in tears. I spent an extra ten minutes trying to convince the child that my character was his friend. I've never felt so awful, but he finally gave me a hug."
– Matt
"I got to meet Halle Berry!"
– Christian
"I have a lot of stories but my favorite time during the parade or show is when I see a cute guy and literally everyone in my unit is giving him a show.
It's like we're all trying to grab this one guy's attention while he's with his wife and kids."
– Ehrik
"When I was working on the cruise line and hanging out with my girl Princess Tiana, a single dad wrote his phone number in his daughter's autograph book to give to Tiana. He was confident! Tiana, in her southern accent, politely let him know that she was taken, but I literally laughed for weeks on that one!"
– Kimberlee
"Once, the screen of my show went off mid performance. A fellow performer was yelling to a girl on stage, calling her Shaqueefa. He was gonna say it again but right in the middle of the word, power went out on the stage and all you hear is, "QUEEF," super loud – it made us and the audience laugh."
– Erik
See Related Article: 7 Embarrassing Moments All Dancers Go Through
"One time I was pretty gassy during the parade and there's one part of my choreo where I run towards the kids with Nemo, turn around, and swim away.Unfortunately, I unleashed this dank ass fart when I turned my back on a kid, and I'm sure I ruined his day hahaha."
– Kevin
10. And because it's Disney, of course we also had to ask... which Disney princess/character would they be?
"I would definitely be Aladdin cause I like bread."
– Sonny
"I would be Baymax because he's bae."
– Eugene
"I would be Princess Jasmine because she has a pet tiger that listens to her. Who wouldn't want a pet tiger?! That would be freaking epic..."
– Loren
"I would be Mulan because she's the manliest one out of them all."
– Rey
"Princess Tiana lol."
– Denzel
"Jasmine because she's pretty fierce if she needs to be, she has a pet tiger, she's good to her subjects, and she doesn't marry the guy with the most money.She marries the guy she loves. And she has to have abs to show off her midriff so DAMN I look good."
–Matt
"Well I kinda am a princess already lol #awkward but if I had to be ANOTHER one, I think I'd be either Sarabi (yes, Simba's mother) or Nala (Simba's bae). They're the fiercest bitches to ever walk out of a Disney film..."
– Kimberlee
"Princess Jasmine. She was born royalty... And she has a freakin TIGER as a pet!"
– Christian
"I would definitely be the warrior of China -- Mulan! Not so much a princess but she does kick ass and save all of China. I don't think any princess has done that!"
– Maryann
"I feel like I'd like to be Belle. No one f*cks with her because of her man. Then again, I'm not down to get wrecked by a grizzly bear if you know what I'm saying.Ok I'll be Mulan. No one f*cks with her cuz she's Mulan. Hell ya. Ok I'd be Mulan."
– Kevin
"Well since I'm already a princess, I would say myself, but Walt won't hire me to be a princess. If I had to choose, it's either Jasmine or Pocahontas. Jasmine because Aladdin is so cute, but Pocahontas have you seen her hair it's LAID!!!!! She said NEW WEAVE 22 INCHES."
– Ehrik
The community has been growing, and its presence at Disneyland is expanding all the time.
See Related Article: Origin Stories Of The NorCal And SoCal Dance Communities
Think of working at Disneyland as joining a really big project team in the community (oh wait, that's basically Cast Members Only lol).Sonny reminds us that, "It's really cool how I used to compete against a lot of my fellow cast members at competitions like Vibe, Fusion, and Body Rock, and now we're all working together and we've created a team for us not to dance against each other but with each other.
"If you think dancing on a team (collegiate or professional) was fun, your next step might be dancing with the Mouse.
"The dance community has been a part of Disneyland for years. You're not only stepping into the walls of Disneyland, but also a history of the dance community. Our fellow community members were not only competing in such competitions, but they were also creating magic at one of the happiest places on earth. Come in, step into our shoes, and enjoy it!"
– Christian
Thank you to all the cast members who helped out!:Christopher Hawaii Dayoan247danceforce (Hawaii), PAC Modern, Breed, IV League, Cast Members OnlySince March 2013Umbrella Bug Boy in the Pixar Play ParadeMaryann VelascoPrimeD, Cast Members Only2014Meet and greet characters, Padawan in the Jedi Training Academy, and a Y.E.S. (Youth Education Series) FacilitatorSonny FilamorPAC Modern, a director of Cast Members OnlyDecember 2012Performer and Lead with Pixar Play Parade, Teacher for students in Leadership and Physics with Y.
E.S., and works with new hire orientation and Welcome to EntertainmentKevin PerdidoTeam Millennia, Cast Members OnlyFall 2013Friends with Nemo, Crush, Slinky, Heimlich, Mr. Potato Head, and friends with King Louie and White RabbitErik LucianoCommon Ground, Ceramic Flow, Griminalz, Kings & Queens, Adaminatti (Mandroids), Reality Check, The Survey Corps, Breed OCLA, Outlaw Project, Rogue Makers, Cast Members OnlyMarch 2013Dancer for Mickey and the Magical MapKimberlee BentonThe Survey Corps, Cast Members Only2010 - Disney Cruise Line on the Wonder cruise ship (2 years), Disneyland (3 years)Parade Dancer for Mickey's Soundsational Parade, Pixar Play Parade, Fantastmic, and DJ's Dance and DriveEhrik Princess WrightTeam Millennia, IV League, Team Ferosha, Kings & Queens, Cast Members OnlyMay 2010Flik and Green Army ManChristian Kevin GalvezTeam Millennia, PAC Modern, Breed, The Prototypes: HHI, guest appearances for Three-23, various projects, Cast Members Only2012Sub-Performer in Disneyland ParadesMatt OlsonFr3sh Dance Company, Flo, UFP, Team Ferosha, Kaba Modern, Cast Members OnlyMarch 2013Soundsational Parade, Christmas Fantasy, and FantasmicDenzel AlexanderKaba Modern, Team Millennia, Cast Members Only2012Pixar Play Parade, Green Army Man, Soundsational Parade, and FantasmicRey Raymundo909, Collective Faction, Hall of Fame, Kings & Queens, 50 Shades of Shade, GRV, Cast Members Only2012Pixar Play Parade, friends with Nemo, Crush, Slinky, Heimlich, and Mr.
Potato HeadLoren Segovia Kreative Movement (Kaba Kids), Groovement, PrimeD, Kenna Inc., KM Legacy, SGBM, Cast Members OnlySummer 2013Pixar Play Parade, friends with Bloat, Crush, Marlin, and Green Army ManEugene CruzCast Members Only2014Tinker Toy and Green Army Man in Pixar Play ParadeIs there anything that surprised you about what some of the cast members said? Leave a comment to share with us below! And if you have any dancer friends who love Disneyland or wants to dance there, share this article with them!
This article was written by Christina Kim and originally published on March 18, 2015.
Dance School - Balance Club
23 December 2015
Patrick Swayze was born August 18, 1952 in Houston, Texas. The parents of Patrick Patsy and Jess Swayze had four more children besides him. Mom Swayze, director of the Houston Jazz and Ballet Company, introduced her son to the world of dance at a very young age.
While Patrick was at school, his love for ballet grew every day, despite the fact that classmates often made fun of him.
Dancing was not Patrick's only hobby. While studying at the high school, Swayze, along with his dancing career, concentrated on gymnastics, swimming and football. After receiving the diploma, he had a choice - a sports or dancing career. Patrick chose sports and enrolled at San Jacinto College in Houston, specializing in gymnastics. Two years later, Swayze left that school and went on tour with a Disney show called Snow White's Prince Charming.
After the end of the tour, Patrick returned home, where he fell in love with Lisa Nayemi, who studied at his Patrick and Lizamother's ballet school. After graduating from ballet school, Lisa went to New York to Patrick, where he continued his dancing career from 1972. From that moment on, the couple in love perform together as part of two ballet companies at once, and in 1975 Patrick and Lisa got married.
Returning to ballet, Patrick was soon invited to the ballet company Eliot Feld as a soloist.
But his successfully launched career as a dancer was cut short due to an old injury received during his passion for football. Swayze underwent two knee surgeries and had to leave the prestigious dance company Eliot Feld.
In 1976, he redirected his efforts and soon made his debut in the Broadway show Goodtime Charley. He then took part in West Side Story, and in 1978 was invited to play the lead role in the musical Grease. Patrick's brilliant performance as Dani Zuko catapulted his popularity and offers from various television and film companies began to come in from all directions.
Ultimately, success on stage brought Patrick Swayze to Hollywood. After filming in numerous films and series, among which were both successful and less significant works, the popularity of the Hollywood actor 9Patrick Swayze's 0005 grew enormously with the release of Dirty Dancing, after which he was firmly established as Hollywood's newest heartthrob. The role of dance instructor Johnny Castle brought him a victory in the Golden Globe nomination.
The film "Dirty Dancing" also allowed Patrick to try himself as a singer. Inspired by his relationship with his wife Lisa, Patrick wrote the song "She's Like the Wind", which was featured on the Dirty Dancing soundtrack. One of the magazines Patrick Swayze confessed: "I am extremely happy that I met a woman who is sure that I can get the moon out of the sky." This song subsequently took 3rd place in one of the charts.
After Lisa's unsuccessful birth in 1990, the couple had to give up their desire to have children.
Instead, they devoted all their love and free time to breeding dogs and horses on their ranch. “We are one team,” Swayze said of himself and his wife. “Relationships can be maintained through friendship, which makes us fall in love with each other again and again and does not allow anyone to change our view and make us look at ourselves and our relationship in a different light.” We both believe in the argument that everything will be fine if you look at the relationship not from the height of your ego, but only focusing on common goals and interests - trying to create something special.
As Patrick's relationship with his wife grew stronger, his acting career continued to grow, placing him more and more confidently among the most popular people in Hollywood. In 1990, Swayze received his second Golden Globe Award for his lead role in the film Ghost. And in 1996, he was awarded in this nomination for the third time for participating in the comedy Thank You for Everything.
In 1997, while filming , Patrick Swayze suffered a broken right leg as a result of a fall from a horse. At the end of 90's addiction to alcohol almost damaged the further Hollywood career of the actor.
After treatment at a rehabilitation clinic, Patrick retired with Lisa to his ranch at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains in Texas. Despite all these difficulties, Patrick Swayze continued to work in films and once again impressed the audience with his skill as a professional dancer in the film The Last Dance (2003) and in the sequel to the previously sensational film Dirty Dancing, which was released under the title Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights (2004).
Swayze also starred in several psychological thrillers, one of which was planned for 2009.year. But in 2008, he had to endure a new test. The actor was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Despite such a terrible diagnosis, Patrick remained optimistic and continued to work on new films until the very last day.
On September 14, 2009, after a long 20-month struggle with his illness, Patrick Swayze, a talented dancer and actor, passed away. He passed away at the very pinnacle of his acting career. His sudden death shocked all fans of his acting and dancing skills, in whose hearts the image of Patrick Swayze will always be associated with the image of a man who stubbornly overcomes all obstacles on the way to his cherished dream.
Charming, Phillip, Ali Ababua and other Disney princes - Archive
Ferdinand from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Photo: Walt Disney
In "Snow White" (1937), the prince plays a purely applied role of the main character's future betrothed and does not show any particular activity.
He first appears onscreen when Snow White is languishing in her stepmother's castle, the evil queen. The heroine captivates him with sonorous singing, so much so that the prince (his name is Ferdinand, but this name is never pronounced) falls in love with the girl at first sight: in the early works of the Disney studio, this model of relationship was a common practice. Once again, the prince will appear when Snow White lies down in a crystal coffin. After a saving kiss, the hero takes the resurrected beloved to his kingdom to the delight of the dwarves. In fairness, it should be noted that initially the role of the prince was spelled out much wider, but there were problems with his animation (in the drawings he turned out to be stooped). As a prototype for Ferdinand, animators took the movie star of those years - Douglas Fairbanks, and dancer Lewis Hightower, who was chosen for his "beautiful muscular legs", acted as a living model. He was the first dance partner of Marjorie Champion (née Belcher), the girl with whom they drew Snow White.
Later, they did a show together on Broadway, and then Lewis was drafted into the army, where he, unfortunately, died.
Charming from Cinderella
Photo: Walt Disney
Another vapid prince was created by the Disney animators in Cinderella (1950). True, Charming (obviously, the creators of Shrek named one of their unpleasant characters in his honor) turned out to have a more memorable role. According to the plot, in honor of the return of the prince, the father-king arranges a big ball, at which the young man falls in love with Cinderella. How it all ends is known: a miniature shoe will find its owner.
Here, however, it must be said that in the triquel of Cinderella called "Evil Spells" (2007), which tells in the manner of the last "Terminator" about the creation of an alternative reality and a new time loop, the prince manifests himself much more actively. Yes, and in the recent game "Cinderella" (Richard Madden, Robb Stark from "Game of Thrones"), he is also not a bastard.
In the original version of this character, Michael Douglas (another) voiced this character, and the choreographer Ward Ellis, who began his career as a dancer in films 1950s, and later became an assistant choreographer in films like The King and I, until he left to perform on various television shows.
Sleeping Beauty Phillip
Photo: Walt Disney
In the cartoon "Sleeping Beauty" (1959), the prince took up his sword: not everyone walks in the forest with beauties. To save Princess Aurora from a lethargic sleep, Philip, the son of King Hubert, enters into battle with the evil sorceress Maleficent, whose image has recently been rethought thanks to Angelina Jolie.
In Sleeping Beauty, Prince Phillip was portrayed by actor Ed Kemmer, who previously starred in Space Patrol, an ABC TV series now owned by The Walt Disney Company. Kemmer filmed the climactic scene - Phillip's fight with Maleficent - wielding a sword on wooden stands.
Eric from The Little Mermaid
Photo: Walt Disney
Conceived back in the 1930s as a short film from the Silly Symphonies cycle, The Little Mermaid (1989) marked the renaissance of the Disney studio in the late 1980s.
The prince (who is here called Eric) was no longer an extra. In general, all the characters in this story, which, fortunately, went away from the tragedy of Hans Christian Andersen, were incredibly alive (what is Sebastian the Yamaican crab worth!).
Eric owes his dazzling smile to actor Joshua Finkel, who starred in all scenes with the character. Now Joshua is 51 years old, he teaches acting, but he still remembers the role of the prince.
Adam from Beauty and the Beast
Photo: Walt Disney
A little more time passed - and in "Beauty and the Beast" (1991), the enchanted prince (it turns out his name is Adam) became one of the key characters. Actually, this cartoon is dedicated to the story of the careful building of relationships between him and the beautiful Belle: what was impossible to imagine in the 30s and 50s became possible in the late 80s - early 90s (it is not surprising that "Beauty and the Beast became the first animated film to be nominated for an Oscar in the Best Film of the Year category).
The role of the prince was played by actor Peter Hastings, who outwardly had nothing to do with the character in his human, much less animal form. However, it was he who was responsible for the facial expressions and movements of the monster, the very appearance of which the animators sculpted from various wild animals. So, for example, the monster had the mane of a lion, the beard and head of a buffalo, the eyebrows of a gorilla, the fangs of a wild boar, the body of a bear, the legs and tail of a wolf. And only the eyes of the animators left this character human. By the way, both hypostases of the main character were voiced by Robbie Benson. However, in the scenes when he spoke for the monster, the roar of predatory animals was superimposed on his voice.
Ali Ababua from Aladdin
Photo: Walt Disney
Prince Ali Ababua is the only fake prince on this list. This is the alter ego of the protagonist of the story of Aladdin, who, with the help of Genie, takes the form of a royal person in order to woo Princess Jasmine.
The girl, however, quickly bites him, and the evil vizier Jafar begins to weave intrigues against him. Initially, Aladdin in the cartoon was supposed to look like Michael J Fox, but in the course of work, the character's design underwent changes and acquired the features of Tom Cruise, rapper MC Hammer and male models from the Calvin Klein company.
Naveen from The Princess and the Frog
Photo: Walt Disney
If Adam was not lucky enough to turn into a monster, then Prince Nun - into a frog. The Princess and the Frog (2009) was the studio's first two-dimensional cartoon in a long time, but, alas, it did not live up to expectations. It's a pity, because the action in it took place in the most cinematic place on the planet - New Orleans, Louisiana.
Navin is the prince of the distant kingdom of Maldonia, who is so passionate about jazz that his path lies in New Orleans. Navin is an extremely spoiled and irresponsible young man, who, however, has a natural charm that can captivate the people around him.
However, his tricks do not work on Tiana, a black waitress (and the first black princess in the Disney pantheon). The relationship between her and Navin develops according to the principle of classic rom-coms, when the characters at first cannot stand each other, but then they slowly get used to each other. Naveen was voiced by Bruno Campos, a Brazilian-American actor best known for his role as Dr. Quentin Costa in the television series Parts of the Body.
Hans Westergaard from Frozen
Photo: Walt Disney
In this beautiful deconstruction of Disney princess stories, the prince of the Southern Isles (possibly not accidentally named Hans; voiced by serial actor Santino Fontana) is revealed to be the main villain.
As the youngest of 13 brothers, Hans decides to scorn any virtue and go head over heels in order to secure a brighter future for himself. And this is not the only plot somersault that gives us an inventive cartoon script.
