Getting the Job

 

Like any performing job, you get a theme park job by auditioning and being the best juggler there. Following this article is a list of major theme parks (operating budgets of over $15 million) and how to go about getting audition information.

 

When you contact a park, be sure to find out when and where they will be auditioning in your area. Also find out how much time you will have at your audition, and if you need to sign up for a specific time or just show up between certain hours. Parks may have jugglers do stage shows and/or walk-around performing. Find out what the park will be looking for so that you can plan accordingly.

 

Preparing to Audition

 

Plan a specific audition routine. Don't ask the auditioners what they want to see - show them what you do.

 

"Comfort" is probably the major point for juggling auditions. Please do not juggle items that you cannot control. It is terrifying to an auditioner to see three of five billiard balls come flying at her face. Auditions are not the place to try out new skills.

 

Technique is important and not to be overlooked, but theme parks are not technical showcases. Plan an audition routine that is entertaining as well as impressive. This can be accomplished by using humor in lines or sight gags, audience participation and lots of "good time" personality. If you entertain the auditioners, they will figure you can entertain park guests.

 

In planning your audition it is good to consider the composition of the theme park audience. Theme parks are family oriented with the emphasis on children. Plan your material accordingly. There is no place for "blue" humor.

 

You will probably find that most auditions are 2-5 minutes long. Keep your routine within the allotted time and do your best stuff first. A long buildup to three ball juggling might mean you get cut off before you ever get to five ball juggling.

 

It might be helpful to bring along a one­page resume. Don't worry about it not being extremely lengthy or if you've never been paid to juggle. List your name, address, phone number, formal education, how long you've been juggling, how you learned, any competitions you have entered, any place you have worked, any professional organizations of which you are a member and any other related performing skills you may have.

 

At the Audition

 

As you would for any performance, arrive early at the audition location. No doubt you will have paperwork to fill out, for which you should plan at least 20 minutes. Naturally you will want warm­up time and time to get adjusted to the surroundings.

 

Set-up time should be kept to a bare minimum, even if it means bringing friends along to help. If you need set-up time, let the people at the registration table know.

 

Once in the audition room, remember that the auditioners are not your enemies! They want you to do a good job because they are hoping to hire good performers.

 

Remain flexible. Be willing to attempt any suggestions made by the auditioners. If you approach it with a sense of fun, you can also laugh it off if it doesn't work.

 

Have fun at your audition. As Beach says, "Audition everywhere, and have fun at your audition. Show them what you have and let them know you enjoy doing it."

 

In Conclusion

 

Say you get the job and you survived a season in a theme park. What about doing it again, and what about recommending it to other jugglers?

 

Jugglers definitely return year after year in the parks. Sometimes to the same park, sometimes a different park. But the experience is good enough to make them return. Barring the fact that other jugglers auditioning creates more competition, every juggler recommends the theme park experience for other jugglers - particularly for those who are just starting out.

 

Those with experience leave you the following thoughts, ideas and recommendations for those aspiring to work in the theme parks.

 

From Jeff "Jig Jug" Lambert - "Practice hard and keep working even after you get the job or you'll die of boredom."

 

From Rick Coleman - "In negotiating your contract, make sure your contract has the week of the juggling convention off. "

 

From David Beach - "You will get out of it what you put into it."

 

From Alan Howard - "I've had a lot of fun doing shows there. The good times seem to outweigh the bad. The memories of being hot and exhausted and nearly sweating enough to extinguish my torches seem to be fading... The people who stopped to pay me compliments seem to out­number the kids who had grandmothers who could do five torches..."

 

Theme park juggling may not be for every juggler, but those who have done it feel richer (financially and otherwise) for the experience.

 

Major Theme Parks

Six Flags, Atlanta, GA

Produce shows for: Six Flags Over Georgia (Atlanta); Six Flags Over Texas (Arlington); Six Flags Over Great Adventure (Jackson, NJ); Six Flags Over Mid-America (Eureka, MO); Six Flags Magic Mountain (Valencia, CA); Six Flags Great America (Guernee, IL); Astroworld (Houston, TX); Altoworld (Flint, MI); Atlantas (Hollywood, FL).

Audition tour starts January. Would like to use jugglers. One audition puts you under consideration for all Six Flags parks.

Kings Productions, Cinc inatti, OH

Produce shows for: Kings lsland (Cincinatti); Carowinds (Charlotte, NC); Kings Dominion (Richmond, V A); Great America (Santa Clara, CA); Canada's Wonderland (Toronto); Australia's Wonderland (Sydney).

Audition tour starts in mid-January. Would like to hire at least one juggler at each park. One audition puts you under consideration for all parks.

 

Busch Old Country, Williamsburg, VA

Auditions in November and January. Use jugglers if they see good ones at auditions.

 

Busch Gardens Dark Continent, Tampa, FL

Auditions once a month on the last Monday at the park. Sometimes use jugglers.

Knott's Berry Farm, Buena Park, CA

Auditions held according to openings. Use jugglers for private parties and possibly for regular entertainment.

Cedar Point, Sandusky, OH

Auditions in January. Haven't used jugglers in a few years, but willing to see them audition.

 

 Geauga Lake Park, Aurora, OH

Auditions in mid-January. Haven't used jugglers in a few years, but considering them for the coming season.

Worlds of Fun, Kansas City, MO

Auditions in January. Might use jugglers, willing to see them audition.

Disney World, Lake Buena Vista, FL

Auditions year-round in various cities. Jugglers not always used on a regular basis.

Disneyland, Anaheim, CA

Auditions year-round in various cities. Jugglers not always used regularly.

 

Opryland, Nashville, TN

Auditions begin in November, .continue as needed. Do not use jugglers as street entertainment, but possibly in children's show.