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Tons of kids are passionate about becoming actors on Disney Channel, and sometimes it’s challenging to make it happen. However, if you work hard to become a great actor or singer, you just might be able to give an audition that blows the casting directors away.
Things You Should Know
- Learn to act, sing, and dance. It's especially important to get comfortable performing as this will prepare you for auditions.
- Reach out to the casting directors for big Disney Channel shows to get audition information.
- Make connections with agents that represent big Disney Channel stars. Try to sign with one (or at least their agency) to help you with booking auditions.
- If you don't audition through an agency, go to an open call audition. Prepare a 60 second monologue and a 30-60 second song and dance routine to showcase your talent.
Steps
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Sign up for acting classes. The best way to learn the techniques you need in order to be the quality actor that Disney looks for is to take classes. Go for any opportunities you have to take classes and join clubs that focus on acting. Taking acting, improvisation, and musical theater classes will help you learn necessary skills and practice executing them. [1] X Research source
- To start out, sign up for drama club at school.
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Take singing lessons. While being a Disney Channel star is first and foremost about acting, you must also be able to sing well. For example, Raven Simone sang the theme song for “That’s So Raven,” the Disney Channel show that she starred in. Search online for singing lessons in your area and make sure to go with an instructor that has good reviews. [2] X Research source
- Consider being in the chorus at school so that you can learn a little about singing without having to pay for private lessons.
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Take dance classes. While it doesn’t carry quite as much weight as being able to act and sing, a basic level of dancing ability is necessary in order to be a Disney Channel star. Check out different dance studios in your area and go with the one that offers instruction on the widest variety of dance types. The more versatile you are as a creative performer, the better. [3] X Research source
- Try dabbling in ballet, jazz, modern, and hip-hop.
- Take dance classes at your school if they’re available.
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Participate in talent contests. Look online for any talent competitions that are going on in your area. Sign up and audition for any contests that you can. This may help you get used to the pressure of auditioning and help you learn how to perform with confidence. Additionally, if you make it far or even win a competition, you may become well-known in your community and/or become noticed by someone important.
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Take advantage of all performance opportunities. Get as comfortable as you can on the stage by taking every opportunity you have to act. Audition for community, church, and school plays so that you can practice your skills and become a solid performer. [4] X Research source
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Put a portfolio together. Disney’s audition process is fast-paced, and casting directors are quick to weed out amateurs. If you want to be taken seriously, you’ll need to put a portfolio together that contains both a professional resume and professional headshots. Your resume should display all of your experience in an organized, attractive way and your headshots should be done by a professional photographer. [5] X Research source
- If you can’t afford a professional photographer, consider asking a family member or friend who has a nice camera to take photos of you.
- Your resume should only be one page long and should list your most recent experience and accomplishments. Don't worry if you have limited experience—Disney is looking for the best, not the busiest.
- Attach your resume to the back of your headshot, or print it right onto the back of your picture. You will leave this behind after your audition. Remember, it's your calling card—it's how they will remember you, so make it the best representation of "you" that you can.
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Ask your guardian to help you reach out to casting directors. Go online and look up the information for each current Disney Channel TV show. Find out who the casting directors are for each show and write down their contact information. Write a brief email to each one where you introduce yourself and express that you’d love to audition for them. Make sure to include your resume and headshots in the email. [6] X Research source
- Proofread the emails and have your guardian read over them and send them for you.
Zendaya, ActorYoung people shouldn't hold back from pursuing their dreams. "You don’t have to be older to live your dreams; you can do it at any age. It’s possible."
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Hire a talent agent. Having an agent will help make others take you seriously in the same way that having a portfolio will. Additionally, it can give you good opportunities that you wouldn’t have otherwise. Talent agents have connections in the industry, which can help you get your foot in the door. They also manage your audition schedule so that you can focus solely on having great auditions.
- Try to sign with an agency that has Disney as a client. This will really help your chances of getting an audition with Disney. Go to pro.imdb.com/ and click “Start Free Trial” to get a temporarily free IMDbPro account. Go on Disney Channel actors’ pages and click “See Agencies and Managers” to find different agencies that work with Disney Channel stars. Have a guardian help you email your resume and headshots to them. [7] X Research source
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Talk to your guardian about moving to California. Disney channel’s headquarters is located in Burbank, California. Because of this, relocating to California could really help you get a leg up on the competition. If you live near Los Angeles, your likelihood of finding an agent who is affiliated with Disney is much higher. While you may not have much of a say in where you live, you can sit down with your guardian and politely ask them if moving is possible. [8] X Research source
- Try saying something like, “I know it’s a huge change, but if we moved to Los Angeles, I might be able to take big steps towards my acting dreams. Do you think it would ever be possible to relocate our family there or somewhere that’s near there?”
- Many Disney Channel stars move to Los Angeles as soon as they get a role in a Disney Channel show.
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Audition through an agency. Another reason why having an agent is beneficial is because it may give you access to exclusive auditions. This is typically the best way to audition for Disney Channel because you won’t be competing against a huge number of people and you’ll have less to prove that you might at a bigger open audition. Ask your agent to get you any auditioning opportunity that they can for Disney. [9] X Research source
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Go to an open call audition for Disney Channel. Once in a while, Disney Channel’s casting directors will travel around the United States and hold open call auditions, where anyone within a certain age bracket can come and audition. Go to Disney Channel’s website and regularly check the “Open Casting Call” tab for information regarding upcoming open auditions. [10] X Research source
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Give a 60-second comedic monologue. Disney channel auditions typically include at least a 1-minute comedic monologue of your choice. Practice your monologue extensively beforehand so that you can play the role correctly and express emotion, instead of just reading words off of the page. Also, time yourself beforehand so that you don’t have to focus on staying within the time limit during your audition.
- Consider asking your drama teacher to help you select and practice your monologue so that your acting is as good as it can be for the audition.
- Ask someone to time your monologue for you when you practice it before your audition so that you can focus completely on acting.
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Prepare to showcase your singing abilities in 30-60 seconds. If you’re auditioning for a part that involves some singing, decide on a short part of a song to sing during the audition that you think really shows off your singing ability. Go with a song that’s age-appropriate and sing a section that best displays your vocal range. You may not be asked to do this, but it’s great to be prepared just in case you are. [11] X Research source
- If you aren’t sure what song to sing, ask your singing teacher if they can help you decide. You can also ask your teacher to help you practice perfecting your pitch and tone before your audition so that they’re on point during it.
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Prepare a 30 or 60-second dance routine. Choreograph and practice a short dance routine to show to the casting directors if you’re auditioning for a part that involves both acting and dancing. While you might not be asked to dance, having a strong routine ready will likely impress the casting directors if they do ask you to. [12] X Research source
- It’s a good idea to ask your dance instructor to help you with the choreography. You can also ask your teacher to watch your practice and help you polish the different movements within the routine.
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Show your personality. You have a brief moment to make an impression on the casting directors, so avoid one-word answers. Try to put your nervousness aside and be yourself. Talk to the casting directors like you would talk to your friends so that they can quickly figure out what kind of personality you have. [13] X Research source
- To stand out, make the script your own. The casting directors don’t want to see if you can copy a current Disney Channel star, they want to see if you have something fresh to bring to Disney Channel.
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow do I choose a good stage name?Greg James Blount is an Acting Coach, Talent Development Director, and co-owner with his wife of the Green Room Acting Studio based in Boca Raton, Florida. Greg has over 30+ years in the talent industry. His online acting studio trains hundreds of students each month and has been responsible for many actors being discovered and gaining representation, including Kira Kosarin (Nickelodeon's The Thundermans), Kayden Muller (Disney’s Villains of Valley View), Colin O’Brien (WONKA, Dear Edward), Cade Sutton (Disney's Kirby Buckets), and Christopher Cassarino (HULU’s Reasonable Doubt, NBC's New Amsterdam). Greg also owns Sound Tree Entertainment and has produced several award-winning films and TV shows. In May 2024, he directed his first feature film, The Tan Man. Greg has a degree in film production and a minor in fashion photography from the University of South Carolina.Think of something fun, catchy, and easy to remember. It should reflect a sense of your personality, while still being simple enough for young audiences to say and remember. You might consider using a middle name or a cool combination of first and last names that sounds unique. Check places like IMDb and social media to make sure the name isn’t already taken, and secure the domain and social media handles for future use. It’s also smart to reserve their real name privately, so they can switch to it later if they want. Keep it light, memorable, and make sure it fits the Disney vibe—something that feels playful but professional!
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QuestionCan Disney pick you up? How much do they pay?Community AnswerIt really depends on the actor but most actors and actresses on the Disney Channel get paid around $10,000-$25,000 per episode.
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QuestionHow do I dress to impress?Community AnswerDon't wear anything too over dressed and something that you are comfortable in.
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Tips
- Research different celebrities who started out on Disney Channel, such as Lizzie McGuire and Demi Lovato, and find out the different paths they took in order to get there. [14] X Research sourceThanks
- Expect rejection and try not to let it get you down or discourage you.Thanks
- Even if you have a one in a million chance, that is still a chance worth taking. After all - someone has to get the part and it might be you!Thanks
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Warnings
- If you're not happy with the number of auditions or bookings you are getting, set up an appointment with your agent and discuss what you can do to generate more jobs.Thanks
- A guardian must accompany you at all times both at auditions and on set.Thanks
Do not ever sign a contract without a parent or gaudiness permission
- Never pay an agent anything up front; they get paid after you get work.Thanks
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Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about becoming a disney channel star, check out our in-depth interview with Greg James Blount .
References
- ↑ https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/tips-getting-cast-disney-channel-6780/
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9av3RfAbvc&feature=youtu.be&t=29s
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9av3RfAbvc&feature=youtu.be&t=1m40s
- ↑ http://www.youryoungactor.com/2009/03/25/how-do-you-become-a-disney-channel-actress/
- ↑ https://youngactorscampblog.wordpress.com/2011/05/14/how-to-audition-for-disney-as-a-young-actor/
- ↑ https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/tips-getting-cast-disney-channel-6780/
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVR_QqPabkM&feature=youtu.be&t=1m18s
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9av3RfAbvc&feature=youtu.be&t=5m1s
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u__-eJ1d6p8&feature=youtu.be&t=54s
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVR_QqPabkM&feature=youtu.be&t=4m34s
- ↑ https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/tips-getting-cast-disney-channel-6780/
- ↑ https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/tips-getting-cast-disney-channel-6780/
- ↑ https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/tips-getting-cast-disney-channel-6780/
- ↑ http://www.ace-your-audition.com/become-a-disney-channel-actress.html
About This Article
Article Summary
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Before you become a Disney Channel star, learn how to act the part! Try taking acting classes or joining the drama club at school to improve your acting skills. Participating in talent contests is also a good way to become comfortable onstage. If you want reach out to casting directors, have your guardian help you send out copies of your portfolio, which should include a 1-page resume with your acting and singing experience and a professional photograph of yourself. To learn how to ace a Disney Channel audition, read on!
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Reader Success Stories
- "This actually helped a lot. The part that you said don't let negativity bring you down, that actually happened to me a lot of time. But now I'm starting to not care, just to follow my heart and think what I want and not what they what from me or want to be." ..." more
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"This actually helped a lot. The part that you said don't let negativity bring you down, that actually happened to me a lot of time. But now I'm starting to not care, just to follow my heart and think what I want and not what they what from me or want to be."
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"I have always wanted to become an actress. I'm a singer and a dancer, but nobody knows and now when I'm a little bit older, now I know what to do. Thanks."
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"My friend followed all the steps and she made it on Disney. Now I'm doing what she did, which was follow all the steps. Now I have an audition."
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"I really want to be a Disney Channel Star right now, and this helped me a lot! Thank you so much. I really appreciate it!"
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"The tips are wonderful! I just need to find some time to sign up and attend acting and singing classes. Great article!"
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