Universal Studios Japan

Audition Details

Show & Character Breakdown for Face & Character Actors

Peter Pan’s Neverland
Our retelling of the classic Peter Pan story which has been around since 1904. We add a new musical score written especially for the Universal Studios Japan production, characters flying 50 meters high and a cast of 28 actors, dancers and acrobats as Native Americans, lost boys and pirates all performing on a multi level, multi colourful stage situated in our main lagoon.

Roles:

Grown Wendy – Young, matronly ingénue must be able to portray age of 25-35, and be strong and confident. Strong acting a must, with the flexibility to convincingly lip-synch Japanese dialogue.

Young Wendy/Jane - Cute, perky, young ingénue able to portray age of 12-14. Strong acting ability a must, with the flexibility to convincingly lip-synch Japanese dialogue. Trampoline skills are a plus.

Atmosphere Shows
Universal Studios Japan is also host to a number of atmospheric shows and
street performances, some of which require improvisational skills.

Roles:

Princess Fiona (Human Version) – Sweet, beautiful female actress to portray pre-ogre Fiona from the Shrek ® series.

Marilyn Monroe – Sexy female actress to portray the American Icon for guest greetings in the Hollywood section of the park. Must be able to convey the subtle Marilyn-esque nuances while interacting with guests.

Dorothy – Cute, adolescent, perky and sweet actress to portray young Judy Garland-esque character in the Land of Oz. Must be able to improvise and interact with guests.

Magical Starlight Parade
The nights at Universal Studios Japan sparkle with the incredible
Magical Starlight Parade. in which the world’s most famous fairy tales come to life
in lights, beautiful costuming and original music. Hello Kitty, Elmo and Snoopy
lead the Parade introducing their favourite fairy tales, Alice’s Adventures in
Wonderland, Arabian Nights and Cinderella.

Roles:

Cinderella/Fairy Godmother - Sweet, beautiful female actress to portray the fairy tale princess.

Alice (from “Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland”)/Fairy Godmother – Cute, perky, young ingénue able to portray wide age range (12-35). Strong acting ability a must, with the flexibility to convincingly lip-synch Japanese dialogue

Prince – handsome and regal actor, 5’10” or taller to portray dashing suitor to Cinderella. Singing and simple modern jazz style move ability a plus.

Actors Please Prepare & Bring

1. A non-returnable resume.
2. A non-returnable headshot
(black & white or colour – please do not staple to your resume).
3. Your own one minute comic monologue and one of the attached monologues of your choice
4. Appropriate attire for a possible simple modern jazz style movement combination.
5. If desired, you may come dressed as a specific character. See character breakdown below.

Shows & Character Breakdown for Dancers who can sing

WiCKED
The smash Broadway hit musical, nominated for 10 Tony® awards and winner of
3 including, “best performance by a leading lady”, in a
version exclusively designed for Universal Studios Japan by the show’s
composer/lyricist, Stephen Schwartz and book by Winnie Holzman. The musical
reveals the previously undisclosed friendship between the two witches of Oz long
before Dorothy, transported by a cyclone, arrives in Munchkinland.

Roles:

Ensemble - Male or female. Strong technical dancers proficient in jazz and lyrical ballet needed. Acting and singing a plus. Must be flexible in learning Japanese lyrics. Female chorus dancers may be required to understudy the principal role of Elphaba. Male chorus dancers with acrobatic/gymnastic experience a plus.

Universal Monsters Live Rock and Roll Show™
Beetlejuice™, the comic king of souls recently departed, hosts this rock and roll/pop extravaganza. Frankenstein™, his Bride, The Wolfman, affectionately called “Wolfie” and Dracula join “BJ” in his favorite graveyard at midnight as they rock the night away accompanied by Hip and Hop, the mistresses of the morbid.

Roles:

“Wolfie” - Male, pop tenor (sings to a G). Excitable and young, with great energy. Must be a strong dancer. Not afraid to "howl at the moon".

Dracula - Male, pop Tenor/Baritone (sings to an F#). Strong, sexy presence and great dancer.

Hip and Hop - Must be great female dancers and pop singers able to belt a C#. 5'3" - 5'6". Cute, perky cheerleader types.

Dancers Please Bring

1. A non-returnable resume.
2. A non-returnable headshot
(black & white or colour – please do not staple to your resume).
3. Suitable dance attire and shoes for a jazz/ballet dance combination.
(Jazz shoes or jazz runners)
4. Please bring your copy of ONE SHORT DAY/HOT STUFF/SMOOTH sheet music. Also please bring the sheet music for two contrasting songs of your choice in a suitable key for your voice. Make sure you have chosen the best 16 bars in the event you are asked to sing your own song. An accompanist will be provided. Backing tracks are not accepted.

Shows & Character Breakdown for Singers who can dance

WiCKED
The smash Broadway hit musical, nominated for 10 Tony® awards and winner of 3 including, “best performance by a leading lady”, in a version exclusively designed for Universal Studios, Japan by the show’s composer/lyricist, Stephen Schwartz and book by Winnie Holzman. The musical reveals the previously undisclosed friendship between the two witches of Oz long before Dorothy, transported by a cyclone, arrives in Munchkinland.

Roles:

Elphaba - Female. Must have high pop/musical theatre belt singing voice, with strong belt up to D#. Strong presence and good acting skills are needed. Will learn Japanese dialogue.

Universal Monsters Live Rock and Roll Show™
Beetlejuice™, the comic king of souls recently departed, hosts this rock and roll/pop extravaganza . Frankenstein™, his Bride, The Wolfman, affectionately called “Wolfie” and Dracula join “BJ” in his favourite graveyard at midnight as they rock the night away accompanied by Hip and Hop, the mistresses of the morbid.

Roles:

Frankenstein - Male, 6'0 or taller. Pop, Baritone (sings to an "F"), with nice low notes and a strong falsetto. Must have good rhythm and be able perform simple modern jazz style movement combinations.

Bride of Frankenstein - Female, alto or soprano, soulful, with a strong belt up to C#. Strong presence. Must have good rhythm and be able perform simple modern jazz style movement combinations.

Universal Studios Japan Productions & Atmosphere Shows
Universal Studios Japan is also host to a number of grand productions and atmospheric and seasonal shows that require versatile voices.

Roles:

Singer/Movers – Male and Female. Looking for all singing ranges. Singers must be comfortable with various styles of singing including one or more of the following: gospel, pop, pop-riffing, hip hop, r&b and classical. Singers must be able to perform simple modern jazz style movement combinations. Additional dance training a plus.

Singers Please Bring

1. A non-returnable resume.
2. A non-returnable headshot
(black & white or colour – please do not staple to resume).
3. Please bring your copy of the sheet music for SMOOTH or THE WIZARD AND I. Men will sing SMOOTH. Females will sing THE WIZARD AND I. Also please bring the sheet music for two contrasting songs of your choice in a suitable key for your voice. Make sure you have chosen the best 16 bars in the event you are asked to sing your own song. An accompanist will be provided. Backing tracks are not accepted.
4. A change of clothing, dance attire and shoes as you may also be required to learn a simple, modern jazz style movement combination

Shows & Character Breakdown for Stunt Performers

STUNT Performers
Universal Studios Japan™ requires male and female performers of good physical strength and high athletic ability for T2; 3D, Water World and Peter Pan's Neverland. Interested candidates will be required to perform an agility test at the audition which will include running, jumping, basic tumbling and pull-ups, 8-10 for women, 10-12 for men. Limited dance ability is a plus BUT NOT A REQUIREMENT. Performers must be willing to work outdoors and may be asked to learn Japanese lines/phrases in character, depending on role.
Casting for the following shows:

Waterworld™
A complex combination of high-tech special effects, pyrotechnics, high falls and
daredevil boat and jet ski stunts make this high-energy, live-action show a tidal wave of action.

Roles:

Mariner – Handsome, strong, sleek stuntman with expert stand-up jet ski skills. Must be physically fit with strong upper body strength, and ability to run, swim, swan dive and back off dive 30 feet. Should also have hand-to-hand fight skills and weapons training.
Helen – Athletic and petite female stunt performer with acting and lip-synching skills. Must be physically fit with strong upper body strength, and ability to run, swim and dive 15 feet. The job will require performer to learn hand-to-hand and weapons fight skills and limited jet ski and boat driving.
Smoker #5 – Must be able to swim, have excellent sit down jet ski skills, along with the ability to tow a water skier. Must be prepared to learn a 20-foot fall, hand to hand fight skills and weapons handling.
Smoker #8 – Boat drive with excellent water-ski jumper skills and able to swim. Must be prepared to learn a 20-foot fall, hand to hand fight skills and weapons handling.

Terminator 2:3-D®
The Terminator, Sara Connor and T-1000 come to life here, in the world’s first 3-D cyber adventure. This surround sound experience takes you beyond imagination as the battle for our planet rages on between plasma blasts, explosions and a hail of gunfire. It’s a pulse-quickening, live action stunt spectacular!

Roles:

Stunt Performers
The Terminator® – Tall, handsome, body-builder type with strong features and a strong resemblance to original movie character. Must be able to run, jump and climb. Previous stunt experience a plus.

Peter Pan’s Neverland
The classic Peter Pan story has been around since 1904. And we’ve updated this childhood favourite with a brand-new musical score and characters flying 50 meters high. Join a cast of 28 actors, dancers and acrobats performing as Native Americans, lost boys and pirates on a colourful, multi-level stage in the middle of our main lagoon.

Roles:

Captain Hook – Male that can play 40-55. Some high altitude performing involved. Must be able to run, jump and execute a high fall from 30 feet (9.2 meters - Video documentation accepted). Strong acting ability with the flexibility to convincingly lip-synch Japanese dialogue.

Stunt Performers Prepare and Bring:

1. A non - returnable resume.
2. A non - returnable headshot (black & white or colour please do not staple to your resume).
3. Attached script
4. Comfortable clothing and training shoes/runners.
5. Towel and water bottle.
6. Performers wanting to be considered for a jetski role in Water World (Mariner, smoker #5 & #8) will also be required to partake in a standing jet ski (for Mariner) and/or seated jetski (for other roles) audition depending on the role . Please bring swim wear and towel. 
These performers must forward a non-returnable DVD or video link of their jetski skills similar to the ones demonstrated on the website. Also forward water ski and high fall skills if you have them. We must be provided with a DVD or web link prior to or on the day of the audition in order to allow performers to partake in the water component of the audition.