2008 Woodie Awards
Halloween starts early at Universal
Amanda Zike
Issue date: 7/24/08 Section: News
Even though Halloween is still about three months away, Universal Orlando has already begun holding auditions for one of its most popular annual events, Halloween Horror Nights.
"We like to start auditioning in July because we have almost 1,000 roles to fill," said Michael Roddy, manager of show development at Universal Orlando, who has been working on Halloween Horror Nights for about 14 years. "The more time we give people, the more they appreciate it and the more they're able to fulfill their obligation to us when they're hired."
According to the Universal auditions Web site, there are certain requirements participants must meet to audition for a stilt walker or a singer/dancer position; however, to be a "scareactor" in the haunted houses or a street performer, there are no stipulations.
"We run the gamut," Roddy said. "We look for every age, every size. You name it, we look for it."
Dustin Robinson, a member of SGA and an advertising/public relations major, said he worked at Halloween Horror Nights two years ago and the auditions were held in a group setting of about 20 people and weren't difficult.
"The only reason they wouldn't take you is if you have no personality whatsoever," Robinson said.
Jeremy Michaelson, a business major, has worked the event for three years. He said every year that he's auditioned they have them do something different, including screaming as loud as you can, asking each individual their favorite scary movie and even acting like a monkey.
"I think the reason they do that is to make sure you actually have a personality," he said.
Many on-campus student clubs and organizations have partnered with Universal to have their members work a certain number of event dates, one of those organizations being the Asian Student Association.
"It gave me good insight into having my first job," said Naomi Ton, president of ASA and engineering major. "We [ASA] have participated every year since I was a freshman in 2006."
"We like to start auditioning in July because we have almost 1,000 roles to fill," said Michael Roddy, manager of show development at Universal Orlando, who has been working on Halloween Horror Nights for about 14 years. "The more time we give people, the more they appreciate it and the more they're able to fulfill their obligation to us when they're hired."
According to the Universal auditions Web site, there are certain requirements participants must meet to audition for a stilt walker or a singer/dancer position; however, to be a "scareactor" in the haunted houses or a street performer, there are no stipulations.
"We run the gamut," Roddy said. "We look for every age, every size. You name it, we look for it."
Dustin Robinson, a member of SGA and an advertising/public relations major, said he worked at Halloween Horror Nights two years ago and the auditions were held in a group setting of about 20 people and weren't difficult.
"The only reason they wouldn't take you is if you have no personality whatsoever," Robinson said.
Jeremy Michaelson, a business major, has worked the event for three years. He said every year that he's auditioned they have them do something different, including screaming as loud as you can, asking each individual their favorite scary movie and even acting like a monkey.
"I think the reason they do that is to make sure you actually have a personality," he said.
Many on-campus student clubs and organizations have partnered with Universal to have their members work a certain number of event dates, one of those organizations being the Asian Student Association.
"It gave me good insight into having my first job," said Naomi Ton, president of ASA and engineering major. "We [ASA] have participated every year since I was a freshman in 2006."