Entertainment News

Universal Studios Japan are casting for Singers who can move, Dancers who can sing, Character Actors, Stunt Actors & Gymnasts for their theme park in Osaka.

Please find below a list of role descriptions and current productions including the Broadway hit Wicked and the classic Peter Pan’s Neverland, Universal Monsters Live Rock and Roll Show™, WaterWorld™ to name a few.

Please note that auditions are by appointment only and all applicants must be at least 18 years of age at the time of audition.

Successful applicants will be offered employment at Universal Studios Japan in Osaka, commencing in early 2008.

Audition dates and venues in each city are:

SYDNEY - SEPTEMBER 10 & 11
Sydney Dance Company The Wharf, Pier 4, Hicksons Rd, Walsh Bay

GOLD COAST - SEPTEMBER 13 & 14
Police Citizen Youth Club 180 Monaco St, Broadbeach Waters

MELBOURNE- SEPTEMBER 17 & 18
Dance Factory 4-10 Yorkshire St, Richmond

SINGERS - who move well
Casting for the following shows:

“Wicked”
The smash Broadway hit musical, nominated for 10 Tony® awards and winner of 3 including, “best performance by a leading lady” celebrates it’s Asia debut 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 favorite graveyard at midnight as they rock the night away accompanied by Hip and Hop, the mistresses of the morbid.
Roles:

Bride of Frankenstein - Female, alto or soprano, soulful, with a strong belt up to C#. Strong presence. Must have basic dance skills.

Frankenstein - Male, 6′0 or taller. Pop, Baritone (sings to an “F”), with nice low notes and a
strong falsetto.

“The Blues Brothers® Show”
Inspired by the 1978 comedy sketch that went on to become a rhythm and blues, soul, jazz, country and gold-ole rock-n-roll phenomenon. Based on the characters ‘Joliet’ Jake and Elwood Blues, this show celebrates the brothers and their friends, Mabel and Otis performing…whatever comes to mind in the true, Blues Brothers, fly by-the-seat-of-their-pants style.
Roles:

Jake Blues – Male tenor who resembles John Belushi in the film. Must sing, dance and act in
character. Height range under 6 feet.

Elwood Blues – Male baritone/tenor who resembles Dan Akryod in the film. Must be tall and
able to sing dance and act in character. Ability to play the blues harmonica a plus.

Mabel – Black female who has gospel/soul/pop singing ability, similar to Aretha Franklin in
the movie. Must sing to a “D” and be able to learn easy movement combinations.

Otis – Black male singer who is comfortable singing gospel, blues and pop music. Must have
good rhythm and the ability to learn a simple movement combination. Blues tenor.

Atmosphere Shows
Roles:

Singer/Movers – Black Male and Female singers. Looking for all singing ranges. All
must be comfortable with pop-riff style singing and strong movers. Dance training a plus.

Singers Prepare:
Please bring a non-returnable resume and headshot.
Please bring sheet music in the correct key for TWO contrasting songs (accompanist will be provided). You may be asked to sing only one song, so please prepare the best 16 bars. You may also be required to learn a simple movement combination, please bring a change of clothing, dance attire and shoes.

DANCERS - who sing well
Casting for the following shows:

“Wicked”
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 acrobat/gymnast experience a plus.

“Universal Monsters Live Rock and Roll Show™”
Roles:

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

“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”.

Hip and Hop - Must be great female dancers and pop singers able to belt a “C#”. 5′3″ - 5′6″. Cute, perky cheerleader type.

Dancers Prepare:
Please bring a non-returnable resume and headshot.
Wear suitable dance attire and shoes for a jazz ballet dance combination. Bring sheet music in the correct key for TWO contrasting songs (accompanist will be provided). You may be asked to sing only one song, so please prepare the best 16 bars.

ACTORS- featured character roles
Casting for the following shows:

“Peter Pan’s Neverland”
Our retelling of the classic Peter Pan story which has been around since 1904. We add a brand-new musical score, characters flying 50 meters high and a cast of 28 actors, dancers and acrobats as American Natives, lost boys and pirates all performing on a multi level, multi colourful stage situated in our main lagoon.
Roles:

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

“Toto and Friends” (New animal show)
Roles:

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.

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

Doc Brown – Male actor must be able to portray 50-60, look act and sound like Doc Brown the quirky, strange and hyper character from the “Back to the Future” movie series. Must memorize a script in Japanese and be able to improvise in this one-man show.

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.

Actors Prepare
Please bring a non-returnable resume and headshot.
Prepare a one-minute comedic monologue or short improvisational character sketch. Call backs will involve a group exercise. Also seeking actors who sing.

STUNT ACTORS/GYMNASTS
Universal Studios Japan requires males and females of good physical strength and high athletic ability. Gymnasts would be required to do a floor pass. Must be willing to work outdoors and maybe asked to learn Japanese lines/phrases in character depending on role. Casting for the following shows:

“Peter Pan’s Neverland”
Roles:

Captain Hook – Male that can play 40-55. Some high altitude performing and free-fall stunt work involved Strong acting ability with the flexibility to convincingly lip-synch Japanese dialogue.

Young Wendy/Jane - Young ingenue must be able to portray age of 12-14, and be cute and perky. Young Wendy requires basic trampoline and acrobatic skills. Strong acting with the flexibility to convincingly lip-synch Japanese dialogue.

John/Michael - Young ingenue must be able to portray age of 6-10. Strong acting and gymnastic abilities with the flexibility to convincingly lip-synch Japanese dialogue.

“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. Can back off dive 30 feet and swan dive. Has hand to hand fight skills as well as weapons training. Is physically fit with strong upper body strength and can run and swim.

Helen – Attractive, petite female stunt performer with acting and lip-synching skills. Has jet ski and boat driving skills. Strong upper body strength and physically fit. Can dive 15 feet, run, swim. Hand to hand and weapons fight training a must.

Smoker #5 – Has jet ski catapult, wave runner and jet ski jockey skills and able to tow a water skier. Can run, swim and fight hand to hand and with weapons. Can perform 20 foot fall.

Smoker #8 – Boat driver and excellent skier that can catapult. Can high fall, high dive and flip from 40 foot platform. Can run, swim and fight hand to hand and with weapons.

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

The Terminator® – Tall, handsome, body builder type with strong features. Strong resemblance to original movie character. Previous stunt experience a plus.

Stunt Actors Prepare:
Please bring a non-returnable resume and headshot.
Comfortable clothing, runners and a towel.