IMPORTANT cancellation notice from Dreamworks regarding “Kung Fu Panda” auditions:
Italian-Belgian theatre director Franco Dragone, the world’s most spectacular show creator is casting for a ground breaking arena spectacular based on Dreamworks animated films, “Kung Fu Panda”. Dragone is currently holding United States open call auditions for the “Kung Fu Panda International Touring Show” in association with DreamWorks Animation.
From the years 1985 to 1998 Franco Dragone would direct nearly all of Cirque du Soleil’s most prestigious shows and played a significant role in developing Cirque du Soleil’s distinctive merging of theater and circus performance. In the early 1990s Dragone’s reputation grew with the production of “Nouvelle Expérience” and “Saltimbanco”, nontraditional circus productions in which postmodern dance, music, and circus acrobatics were interlaced with a dreamlike narrative.
Dragon’s visibility greatly increased after he directed and introduced the cutting-edge Cirque du Soleil production “Mystère” at the Treasure Island hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. “Mystère” helped to change the nature of production shows in Las Vegas. During 2003, Dragone created a new live show, “A New Day” starring Céline Dion, which opened at Caesars Palace. In 2005, Dragone debuted his fourth production on the Las Vegas Strip with the opening of “Le Rêve” at the Wynn Las Vegas.
Dragone most recently directed a Macau-based show entitled “The House of Dancing Water”, which bills itself as the world’s largest permanent water-based show. “The House of Dancing Water” is set in the 2000-seat Dancing Water Theater designed by Pei Partnership Architects; the theater is part of the City of Dreams integrated entertainment resort in Macau. The show, which incorporates various design elements such as fire, water effects, and atmospheric effects, premiered on September 17, 2010.
The movie version of “Kung Fu Panda” is a 2008 American computer-animated action comedy film produced by DreamWorks Animation and distributed by Paramount Pictures. Kung Fu Panda opened in 4,114 theaters, grossing $20.3 million on its opening day and $60.2 million on its opening weekend, resulting in the number one position at the box office. The film became DreamWorks’s highest grossing animated film of the year worldwide, and eventually amassed more than $630 million in worldwide box office receipts.
Kung Fu Panda International Touring Show Auditions
Please be prepared to demonstrate your specialties in gymnastic and/or acrobatic and/or Kung Fu and/or Circus arts and personal skills. You will be asked to demonstrate strength tests of varying and appropriate degrees. You may be asked to learn a dance or Wushu combination. Previous martial arts experience is not required.
Bring your Headshot, Resume, DVD Demo, appropriate clothing, foot attire and any other sport gear or Kung Fu performance weaponry. Also, please bring snacks. You must be 18 years or older to audition. Any filming during the audition process is used purely for reference and will not be used for any commercial purpose.
Here is what the casting department is seeking:
Kung Fu Panda Live Main Characters
• [Po] Male, minimum 6′ tall 180lbs+ Acrobatic performer with strong acting skills (costumed).
• [Mr. Ping] Clown skills (costumed).
• [Tai Lung] Male, 6′ and above, 180lbs+ Wrestler Physique, Strong Acrobatic and Acting Skills.
• [Furious Five] Strong Gymnasts / Acrobats with special performance and dance skills.
• [Tigress] Female, Stuntwoman, kick boxer.
• [Viper] Female, Contortionist, Rythmic Gymnast.
• [Monkey] Male, Break Dancer, Hip Hop, Parcours.
• [Crane] Male, Spring Stilts, Contortionist.
• [Mantis] Male, Break Dance, Hip Hop.
Kung Fu Panda Live General Cast
• Multi-talented Gymnasts and Acrobats with strong movement and dance skills, acro dancers.
• Kung Fu Artists and Wushu Artists.
• Circus Artists.
• Aerialists, Russian Bar, Spanish Web, Straps, Banquine, Contact Juggling, etc.
Covers needed
• Tigress back-up (playing big drum).
• Monkey back-up.
• Mantis back-up.
• Viper back-up.
• Crane back-up.
• 1 additional Po.
• Ping swing. Could be a woman, clowning skills, comic skills, dance, tiny (about 4’9 – 5’0 tall).
• Tai Lung back-up.
Open Casting Calls
The casting department recommends that all talent visit their website at www.pandaliveauditions.com and pre-register for the audition in the location of their choice.
Auditions will be held beginning at 9:00am sharp in the following locations:
January 13 and 14, 2012 / SAN FRANCISCO
Kinetic Arts Center
785 7th Street
Oakland, CA 94607
510-444-4800
Click Here for directions.
January 16 through 18, 2012 / LAS VEGAS
Go For It
3105 Coleman Street
North Las Vegas, NV 89032
702-658-9003
Click Here for directions.
January 20 through 22, 2012 / LOS ANGELES
Hollywood Aerial Arts
3838 W. 102nd Street
Inglewood, CA 90303
310-412-7171
Click Here for directions.
January 24 through 25, 2012 / CHICAGO
Aloft
2000 W. Fulton Street
Suite F319
Chicago, IL 60612
773-782-6662
Click Here for directions.
January 27 and 28, 2012 / ORLANDO
Epic Athletic – Epic Cheer
7075 Kingspointe Parkway
Suite 12
Orlando, FL 32819
407-965-3365
Click Here for directions.
For more information and to sign up, Contact the Casting Team at:
Website: http://www.pandaliveauditions.com/register
Email: info@pandaliveauditions.com
Phone: 407-872-3030
Production Companies:
Do NOT send photos and resumes to the production companies, as they will most likely end up being thrown away. They do not cast the show, rather they hire casting directors who sort through the thousands of submissions.
DreamWorks Animation
1000 Flower Street
Glendale, CA 91201
Franco Dragone Entertainment Group
Rue de Belle-Vue, 23
7100 La Louvière
Belgique/Europe
Producer/Director:
Franco Dragone
Starring:
To Be Cast
Story:
Enthusiastic, big and a little clumsy, Po is the biggest fan of Kung Fu around which doesn’t exactly come in handy while working every day in his family’s noodle shop. Unexpectedly chosen to fulfill an ancient prophecy, Po’s dreams become reality when he joins the world of Kung Fu and studies alongside his idols Po’s dreams become reality when he joins the world of Kung Fu and studies alongside his idols the legendary fighters Tigress, Crane, Mantis, Viper and Monkey under the leadership of their teacher and trainer, Master Shifu. But before they know it, the vengeful and treacherous snow leopard Tai Lung is headed their way, and it’s up to Po to defend everyone from the oncoming threat. Can he turn his dreams of becoming a Kung Fu master into reality? Po puts his heart – and his girth – into the task, and the unlikely hero ultimately finds that his greatest weaknesses turn out to be his greatest strengths.
