Sorcerer
12-20-2008, 02:43 PM
All The World's a Stage
by Kare
Backstage, the final touches are readied; after one last sweep through the set to make sure it's perfect, and the final adjusting of costumes, everyone's ready. The overture begins just seconds before the lights come up, and finally- the curtain rises (or, in our situation, the rope drops). The actors rush through the turnstiles and present themselves onstage.
Yep. Go back and read that again. Rope Drop. Turnstiles. Actors. Through the turnstiles.
It might feel strange to think of guests as actors. After all, we're constantly surrounded by lighting, set designs, costumes, music, actual performances, and food for intermission. Our only job is to sit and take in attraction after attraction; in no capacity does what we do influence the way "the performance" runs. We're not actors – we're the audience.
But let's look at this again. First of all, what is an actor? And what's the stage?
Simply put, an actor is anyone who plays a role onstage (no matter how big, small, important, or inconsequential that role may be). Onstage, then, is where the action's going on.
In Disney World, there's action going on everywhere, all the time. Even when you're waiting in line, there's action going on and things to be seen and viewed. So all of Disney World is a stage. And since an actor is anyone on stage, all guests are actors (after all, we're taking part in what's going on "onstage). Without us, there is no show.
Still not convinced? Think of all the different things that require our participation in order to happen. We're not just a set of bodies to sit on rides; we're a group of thinking, moving, reacting humans. We are the ones who believe what we see, and what we experience. We are the ones who make the magic happen (we are also the ones who can ruin the magic). Think about it; what would Illuminations be if we didn't believe, not even for a split second, that world peace could actually be obtained? And isn't it that positive energy, that feeling that world peace is attainable – isn't that feeling (that comes from us, the guests), one of the reasons that Illuminations is so magical? No matter which way you put it, we (the guests) are truly the ones who make Disney World run.
This idea means that at Disney World, we're the ones holding the power. We determine how much magic is in the air, how many memories are created, and how much fun we can have. Knowing a little bit about being onstage as actors can help enhance all of the above and make your vacation that much more magical.
First of all, it's important to know when to be onstage and when to wait in the wings for your next entrance. Some of the "waiting in the wings" part is about letting other people take center stage; if you're in the audience of a show, sit back and let the cast members act. If you're at a crowded restaurant waiting for a table, don't steal hover over a family in hopes that they'll leave sooner. Wait your turn, and go after the spotlight when it's ready for you. This way, everyone gets their own time to be the star.
But when it's ready for you, don't be afraid to jump in and go after it. When you get ready to eat, really get ready to eat. There is nothing like food in Disney World; it's one of those places where you're always hungry, and even the most boring French fries can taste divine. Savor every bite, and enjoy the opportunity to converse with your group. Take centerstage and own the meal in every way you know how.
The same goes for attractions; most of them have some sort of audience participation segment. Yes, it's important to be the polite audience member. But when the time comes for participation, don't be afraid to let it all out. Make hand gestures (especially in 3-D movies.) If appropriate, sing at the top of your lungs, or stand up and dance (this is encouraged at so many performances). Forget those people giving you strange looks – secretly, they're all just wishing they could be you (and besides, the chances of you ever seeing them again is pretty rare).
You'll make the attraction more interesting and amusing for everyone (including yourself). You might even get some compliments on your singing and dancing! Most importantly, though, you might give someone else the guts to stand up and start dancing too. And soon, that whole hut of people could be dancing around – and before you know it – the room has a different energy to it. A different feel. Something powerful, and magical, and altogether more exciting and memorable than a bunch of tired guests just looking for a short blast of A/C.
Find these moments in attractions and take over them. Dance around in the Tiki Room. Make animal noises as loud as you can at Festival of the Lion King. Volunteer to be the audience participant in the Backlot Tour and Indiana Jones. Talk to your tour guides on the Great Movie Ride and the Jungle Cruise (also, Cast Members at the Haunted Mansion and Tower of Terror are great fun). Interact with the characters when you see them on the street and during parades. Put yourself "onstage" with the rest of the Disney Cast, and see just how much magic you can help create.
Part of being a good actor is portraying emotion well. On Disney's stage, this means truly believing what you're doing. On Mission Space, press the buttons because it is crucial to your mission. Shoot Zurg because you want to save the planet. Chase Donald so that Mickey can direct the Philharmagic Orchestra. Don't just pretend you believe in magic; live it, and live in it.
Finally, remember to have a good relationship with the scenic, lighting, and costume designers (closed attractions/weather/what you're wearing (especially shoes)); they're helping to create this whole process with you, and if you can work with them, you'll have a lot more fun. Pay attention the few weeks before you go so that you can be ready to compromise and adjust the few weeks before. And when you get there, keep in mind that they'll have just as many panicked "what-should-we-do?" moments as you are; be flexible to what's going on and just rock it onstage, no matter what they do to change things on you.
Disney World's all about being onstage, and it's up to each of us to help make the magic we look forward to. On your next trip, take a risk, play a new role, and most importantly, Break a Leg!
by Kare
Backstage, the final touches are readied; after one last sweep through the set to make sure it's perfect, and the final adjusting of costumes, everyone's ready. The overture begins just seconds before the lights come up, and finally- the curtain rises (or, in our situation, the rope drops). The actors rush through the turnstiles and present themselves onstage.
Yep. Go back and read that again. Rope Drop. Turnstiles. Actors. Through the turnstiles.
It might feel strange to think of guests as actors. After all, we're constantly surrounded by lighting, set designs, costumes, music, actual performances, and food for intermission. Our only job is to sit and take in attraction after attraction; in no capacity does what we do influence the way "the performance" runs. We're not actors – we're the audience.
But let's look at this again. First of all, what is an actor? And what's the stage?
Simply put, an actor is anyone who plays a role onstage (no matter how big, small, important, or inconsequential that role may be). Onstage, then, is where the action's going on.
In Disney World, there's action going on everywhere, all the time. Even when you're waiting in line, there's action going on and things to be seen and viewed. So all of Disney World is a stage. And since an actor is anyone on stage, all guests are actors (after all, we're taking part in what's going on "onstage). Without us, there is no show.
Still not convinced? Think of all the different things that require our participation in order to happen. We're not just a set of bodies to sit on rides; we're a group of thinking, moving, reacting humans. We are the ones who believe what we see, and what we experience. We are the ones who make the magic happen (we are also the ones who can ruin the magic). Think about it; what would Illuminations be if we didn't believe, not even for a split second, that world peace could actually be obtained? And isn't it that positive energy, that feeling that world peace is attainable – isn't that feeling (that comes from us, the guests), one of the reasons that Illuminations is so magical? No matter which way you put it, we (the guests) are truly the ones who make Disney World run.
This idea means that at Disney World, we're the ones holding the power. We determine how much magic is in the air, how many memories are created, and how much fun we can have. Knowing a little bit about being onstage as actors can help enhance all of the above and make your vacation that much more magical.
First of all, it's important to know when to be onstage and when to wait in the wings for your next entrance. Some of the "waiting in the wings" part is about letting other people take center stage; if you're in the audience of a show, sit back and let the cast members act. If you're at a crowded restaurant waiting for a table, don't steal hover over a family in hopes that they'll leave sooner. Wait your turn, and go after the spotlight when it's ready for you. This way, everyone gets their own time to be the star.
But when it's ready for you, don't be afraid to jump in and go after it. When you get ready to eat, really get ready to eat. There is nothing like food in Disney World; it's one of those places where you're always hungry, and even the most boring French fries can taste divine. Savor every bite, and enjoy the opportunity to converse with your group. Take centerstage and own the meal in every way you know how.
The same goes for attractions; most of them have some sort of audience participation segment. Yes, it's important to be the polite audience member. But when the time comes for participation, don't be afraid to let it all out. Make hand gestures (especially in 3-D movies.) If appropriate, sing at the top of your lungs, or stand up and dance (this is encouraged at so many performances). Forget those people giving you strange looks – secretly, they're all just wishing they could be you (and besides, the chances of you ever seeing them again is pretty rare).
You'll make the attraction more interesting and amusing for everyone (including yourself). You might even get some compliments on your singing and dancing! Most importantly, though, you might give someone else the guts to stand up and start dancing too. And soon, that whole hut of people could be dancing around – and before you know it – the room has a different energy to it. A different feel. Something powerful, and magical, and altogether more exciting and memorable than a bunch of tired guests just looking for a short blast of A/C.
Find these moments in attractions and take over them. Dance around in the Tiki Room. Make animal noises as loud as you can at Festival of the Lion King. Volunteer to be the audience participant in the Backlot Tour and Indiana Jones. Talk to your tour guides on the Great Movie Ride and the Jungle Cruise (also, Cast Members at the Haunted Mansion and Tower of Terror are great fun). Interact with the characters when you see them on the street and during parades. Put yourself "onstage" with the rest of the Disney Cast, and see just how much magic you can help create.
Part of being a good actor is portraying emotion well. On Disney's stage, this means truly believing what you're doing. On Mission Space, press the buttons because it is crucial to your mission. Shoot Zurg because you want to save the planet. Chase Donald so that Mickey can direct the Philharmagic Orchestra. Don't just pretend you believe in magic; live it, and live in it.
Finally, remember to have a good relationship with the scenic, lighting, and costume designers (closed attractions/weather/what you're wearing (especially shoes)); they're helping to create this whole process with you, and if you can work with them, you'll have a lot more fun. Pay attention the few weeks before you go so that you can be ready to compromise and adjust the few weeks before. And when you get there, keep in mind that they'll have just as many panicked "what-should-we-do?" moments as you are; be flexible to what's going on and just rock it onstage, no matter what they do to change things on you.
Disney World's all about being onstage, and it's up to each of us to help make the magic we look forward to. On your next trip, take a risk, play a new role, and most importantly, Break a Leg!