Former Isle resident scours Hawai'i for Disney talent

Former Island dancer and teacher Marian Jay Morrison is home from Orlando recruiting dancers for the Disney organization. Morrison, shown here in 1998 with young Ashley Ramos, has held an annual dance camp for youth here. Advertiser Library photo • 1998

A former Islander is helping Disney World revamp its daily Polynesian show, and is seeking a pool of talent for shows at its resorts on both coasts, in Tokyo and aboard cruise ships. And Island kumu hula Sonny Ching has been invited to help, to give the shows a balance of authenticity and Ching’s characteristic showmanship.

Dancer, choreographer and teacher Marian Jay Morrison, Kalihi-raised but now a resident of Orlando, Fla., has been contracted as the show’s development consultant and holding auditions this weekend at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.

"It’s a wonderful opportunity for employment," said Morrison, who has been serving as a show director at Disney World for the past year. She said the theme park is revamping its Polynesian lu‘au show at the Walt Disney World Resort. She said that, beyond assisting in this weekend’s auditions, Ching may have a continuing role with the show in the future.

"We’re seeking a variety of performers," said Morrison, who will oversee tryouts for singers and dancers tomorrow and enlist Ching’s help for auditions Sunday for male and female Polynesian performers and Samoan knife dancers.

"I know his style; his halau dancing is very different, very dramatic, more showy (than most) and the flair for a production like ours is there," Morrison said. "His philosophy is that the show be authentic, educational and culturally correct."

The Polynesian troupers are sought to augment a production that has been staged nightly at a resort next to the Magic Kingdom for 15 years.

But the auditions in Honolulu - the only ones in the state this year - will build a pool of potential singers, dancers and musicians for placement in other Disney revues on land and at sea. Besides Disney World, candidates could emerge in casts at Disneyland or California Adventure in Anaheim, the Tokyo Disney Resort or the Disney Cruise Line, which boasts theatrical presentations on the Disney Magic and the Disney the Wonder.

"Being in a Disney show is as wholesome as you can get," said Morrison, who often returns to the Islands to conduct contemporary dance classes for young people.

Tomorrow

• 10 a.m.: dancers
• 1 p.m.: singers

Tapa Conference Center, Hilton Hawaiian Village

Sunday

• 10 a.m.: female Polynesian performers
• Noon: male Polynesian performers
• 2 p.m.: Samoan knife dancers

Mid-Pacific Conference Center, South Pacific 1 & 2, Hilton Hawaiian Village, Information Hot line (407) 397-3220.

Specifics

• Open to applicants 18 and older, all cultural backgrounds.
• Bring nonreturnable photo and resume.
• Dancers: Wear appropriate dance attire and shoes; be prepared to learn a dance combination.
• Musical theater performers: Prepare one-minute comedic monologue plus one vocal selection (16 bars).
• Singers: Prepare two vocal selections of contrasting styles (16 bars); accompanist will be provided, but bring sheet music in proper key; tapes are now allowed.

[back to top]