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The American Idol Experience Auditions
How to Become a Star at Disney's Hollywood Studios

By Dawn Henthorn, About.com

Feb 15 2009
Guests to Disney's Hollywood Studios (formerly Disney-MGM Studios) now can take a step closer to becoming a star. The American Idol Experience, modeled after the famous "American Idol" television show, showcases the talents of park guests who can ace the auditions.

Performers who receive the most audience votes in the preliminary shows held throughout the day will return to star in that evening's grand finale show. The top vote-getter in the finale will receive a Dream Ticket, which allows an eligible* holder to schedule a front-of-the-line audition at a future regional audition for the "American Idol" television show.

If you're interested in auditioning for The American Idol Experience at Disney's Hollywood Studios, it's as easy as 1... 2... 3. Here's how it works:

Audition: Round One

  • Guests age 14 or older may obtain an assigned audition time after they enter Disney's Hollywood Studios. Audition slots are limited and interested guests are encouraged to arrive early.
  • There is a special "queue" for those auditioning that leads to the audition rooms and backstage areas of the theater.
  • Those auditioning will view a pre-audition video welcome, then are ushered into an audition room to perform an a cappella song for a Disney casting director. The casting director provides feedback and coaching on the performance, then decides whether the performer moves to the next level.
Audition: Round Two
  • Singers making it to the second round are given an "American Idol Experience" pin-on number to wear (similar to the one seen on contestants during the "American Idol" television show regional auditions).
  • Next performers are ushered into the Red Room where they select a song to sing for the Disney producer from a pre-approved song list.
  • When the singers name is called they are taken to an audition room to perform in front of a Disney producer.
Audition: Round Three
  • While the next step in the television show is a trip to Hollywood, at Disney, those passing this audition will perform on stage at Disney's Hollywood Studios in front of a live audience.
  • Guests chosen to perform by the Disney producer then meet and train with a performance coach and receive the "Hollywood treatment" from professional hair and make-up designers.
  • Guests hit the main "American Idol Experience" stage for the first time after their "look" is show ready.
  • The Disney show director, stage manager and staging specialist conduct a dress rehearsal to provide final instructions.
  • A few relaxing moments will be spent backstage in the theater's VIP Green Room trying to calm the building butterflies, while park guests file into their seats for the big shows.
  • The lights will come up, the music will begin... and it's showtime!
  • Only three park guests will perform in each of seven 25-minute preliminary shows and the audience vote will determine the winner in each show.
  • The best performer in each show is invited back to the 45-minute finale show to perform once more.
  • The best performer of the finale show will receive a Dream Ticket, which allows an eligible* holder to schedule a front-of-the-line audition to a future regional audition for the "American Idol" television show.
*"American Idol" television show auditions are only open to those that meet the eligibility age of 16 to 28. Dream Tickets, if won by someone that does not meet eligibility requirements, may be given to someone who does.

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