How Do You Get Auditions for Disney Channel?

A very common question young actors and their parents often ask is: “How do you get auditions for Disney Channel?”

For three years, my daughter was in a comedy and improv group called Giggle Gaggle. They had class and put on shows each week.

Not only was it fun, but it was great experience and training. It helped prepare her for Disney auditions as well as other auditions.

While in this group, she had the opportunity to do comedy and improv on stage with David Henrie, star of Wizards of Waverly Place, and Sammi Hanratty, recurring guest-star on That’s So Raven and The Suite Life of Zach and Cody. We now enjoy seeing them on the Disney Channel regularly.

So, exactly how do you get those coveted Disney auditions, and even more, land those career-launching jobs like your favorite Disney stars did? While there are no magical answers to this question, there are things that you can do to increase your child’s chances of auditioning for Disney.

The most common way to get auditions for Disney Channel or Disney movies is to first get an agent.

While this really is the best way to get auditions for Disney, it is not the only way.

The following are some things that may help your child get auditions for Disney Channel:

Submit your child for Disney projects on self-submission casting sites.
Watch for and attend open calls in your area for Disney projects.
Attend workshops, classes, or seminars with Disney casting directors.
Try to get extra work on Disney projects.
Take part in showcases where Disney Casting Directors may be in attendance.
Participate in comedy/improv groups where there may be referrals or visitors.

Is it any wonder that so many children and teens want to be on Disney Channel or in a Disney movie? After all, there is, and always has been, something magical about anything Disney.

And it is certainly exciting to imagine achieving the fame and fortune of Hillary Duff (Lizzie McGuire) or Miley Cyrus (Hannah Montana). But it is also important to understand that most Disney stars did not achieve that stardom overnight. It took a lot of hard work!

Now that you have a list of things to do to try to get Disney auditions, you may wonder where to start in accomplishing those tasks.

First of all, how do you go about doing self-submissions for Disney projects? You need to join some online casting sites where auditions for Disney projects may be found and create a profile for your child on those sites.

The two most recommended casting sites where many legitimate audition postings are found are Casting Networks and Actors Access. These are the sites most often used by actors and their parents to view and submit for auditions.

I noticed several audition postings for Disney on the Casting Networks and Actors Access sites just this morning. For example, there is a posting for an advertisement for Radio Disney.

Keep in mind that most of the auditions listed on Casting Networks and Actors Access are located near big acting markets (e.g., LA, New York, Miami, …). Depending on your location and where the casting sessions are held, you might have to travel a long way to get to auditions and jobs at your own expense.

Sometimes there will be casting sessions at various locations (typically in fairly large cities) around the country, but they are less common.

There are a number of other sites that also have audition postings for actors with or without representation. Some of these sites may make the opportunities sound better than they are, so use caution and do your research before paying money to sign up on these sites.

One very important thing to keep in mind is to never pay money to audition for any jobs!

Sometimes there are open calls for Disney projects. I’ve recently heard about an open call in the LA Area which you can view along with other Disney acting auditions I’ve found in my Disney Acting Auditions section. Just be prepared when you go to an open call for the reality that there will be many people there, you may have to wait a very long time, and you may not be seen at all.

That is why we sometimes not so affectionately call these open calls cattle calls. So if you go to one, be careful and don’t get trampled!

There are casting directors who sometimes cast for Disney that do classes, workshops, and seminars. While many of these are in the L.A. and New York areas, sometimes they are held at various locations around the country.

If you keep your eyes and ears open, you might learn about one of these workshops or seminars to attend. Keep at mind that going to these in no way guarantees you any jobs or even any auditions for Disney. It can, in certain cases, increase your chances for a Disney audition or job though.

You can always watch out for calls for extras for Disney projects. You can sign up for extra work on various casting sites and watch for projects that are filming near you that might have calls for extras.

Being an extra on a Disney tv show can be fun, and in rare cases, if you grab the attention of the director, you might end up with an unscripted line or slightly bigger part than just an extra.

Showcases are sometimes held after an acting class completes to allow the class participants the chance to do scenes and/or monologues for industry guests. The invited guests for showcases might include casting directors who cast for Disney.

If this is something you are interested in, inquire about this before signing up for an acting class. But also understand that in this business there are typically no guarantees. Even if industry guests are invited to showcases, they may not attend due to other commitments.

Your child can take various comedy and improv classes. Sometimes the teachers have industry contacts such as Disney casting directors, producers, or directors and may invite them to guest-teach a class or to come in and watch the shows.

A casting director for a Disney project may call and ask for referrals from these classes and shows as well.

Watch in my upcoming posts for more on the topic of getting auditions for Disney Channel. I’ll also discuss that very important topic, how to get an agent or manager — which really is the best way to get Disney Channel auditions.

Also, be sure to sign up for Your Young Actor’s Newsletter to get more in-depth information on getting auditions for Disney Channel as well as on many other topics of interest for you and your young actor.

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Tags: auditions for disney, Disney Auditions, disney channel casting calls, Disney projects, Disney stars, disney tv auditions

Auditions, Become a Child Actor, Disney Acting Auditions | Debbie Sikkema | February 11, 2009 2:49 pm

28 Comments

By Kyleigh Roberts, July 19, 2009 @ 5:16 pm

Hi my name is Kyleigh and I want to be an actress on disney I have always wanted to be an actress on disney and I want to know how I can become one I do not have an agent but I would be a great actress and maybe singer so if you could e-mail me at clover_girly91@yahoo.com that would be great!!
By tatianna, July 28, 2009 @ 9:39 pm

hello my name is tatianna and i really want to be an actress i dont have an agent or anything like that.to be an actress were can i start if you can please email me on how to that will be awsome
By lamia, August 5, 2009 @ 4:59 pm

hi my name is lamia saeid i dont have a agent but i really want to be an actor so please email me at thanx
By renee, September 14, 2009 @ 12:28 pm

so i dont know how to get an agent can you email me back and say an easyer way for me to become a disney star
By lisa, September 15, 2009 @ 2:15 pm

my name is lisa and i wouid love to become an actor in disney please help me be a actor
By Natalie, October 1, 2009 @ 8:04 am

Hiya! My name is Natalie, I am 12 and I live in England. I SOOOOOOO want to become an actress,so please help me!!!!
By Natalie, October 1, 2009 @ 8:04 am

nattythecatty@hotmail.co.uk email me, if you can help!!!
By Danielle, October 27, 2009 @ 4:51 pm

hi im danielle, im 12 years old and i really want to become an actress but the thing is i live in england but i would do anything to become an actress, and i would love to act on disney channel and i dont have an agent, email me anyway thanking you loads
xx
By natlie, November 27, 2009 @ 2:52 pm

im an actress im happy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Nina, December 7, 2009 @ 5:22 pm

hi i’m nina and i wanna become and actress sooo badly. I’m 11 yrs. old. In fact, its been my life’s dream. If you could give my a email i wwould be really happy. Thanks!!!
By katlyn, December 24, 2009 @ 4:44 pm

ive wanted to be a actress sence i was three. but ive had a hard time trying to become famous. maybe someone can help me!! even if i start as a extra. i want to be taped on camera. please
By heather, December 30, 2009 @ 10:01 am

hi my name is heather.i am 13 years old. ive been wanting to become a disney channel actress since i was little and i have since pleas can you email me. i live in england and i really want to become an actress! so can you please help me
By SHALINI 13yrs old, January 5, 2010 @ 11:18 am

Hi my names shalini. I wanted to do acting for years. Ive done modleing before with the group called COAST TO COAST and im in magizines and babydoll boxes. All my friends and familly say i should do acting because im not shy and they say im funny. For school i had to make a video project and the teacher gave me more credit because i was the funniest and everyone else was sooo shy and boring. This is my one and only dream. Im a straight A student but i like acting more than school and cheer even though im on the highest cheer team Level 4 and just learned how to do backflips and frontflips on the ground so i really hope i can reach my goal and my one and only dream but i need your help .
By Julie, January 7, 2010 @ 8:40 pm

Hi!
I am a chinese girl, 13 years old and lives in Sweden.
Since I was a kid, my biggest dream have always been to be a singer. I always danced to those music videos and sang with every song. Now, I’m starting to make my own music/songs on Guitar and Piano.
I am getting more and more intresting and serious about this “famous-world”.
I have doing modeling before so I know how to smile in front of an camera, I know how to sing in front of a microphone AND know how to play a piano.
If I like and really want to become a Disney Channel Actress, I will do anything to make this dream come true. As soon as i get the chance..
Kiss and Hug!
Julie
By Rosa Rivas-Cortez, February 27, 2010 @ 9:09 am

I watch Disney channel everyday and everyday I imagine myself on it. I really would love to be on Disney. I am 14 going on to 15 in 5 months but i look like I am only 12 years old. I was born on July 15 1995. I think this could a great thing to play a very young role but being very mature at the job. I live in Reading PA and I am Salvadorian. I would be more than glad to play a role in Disney Channel. I hope I can get a chance…!
By Sesen, March 29, 2010 @ 3:38 pm

i always wanted to be a diney star.im 8 years old.i used to take singing lessons when i was seven.being a disny star was the first thing that was on my mind in life. plese email me!i would do anything!!!i live in california.ive been all around california.ive even been to hollywood!!!lots of my friends saw serleberties.like victoria justic.or miely cyrus.plese help me to become a disny channel star.
By Mwazo, April 3, 2010 @ 2:17 pm

Hey, i really am trying to get into the acting business and already know i would love to work in the sag industry, since most major productions are in this region. I am 13 years old going to 14 on July. I have taken acting classes when i was younger and i need to know what agency would be best and if an agent would help me reach my goal as an actress.
By rebeka josil, April 26, 2010 @ 2:37 pm

hi am 11 years old am a great singer and a great actor i always wanted to be in disney if u want to see me act or sing i will sent a video
By Sarah A., May 29, 2010 @ 6:12 am

Hi, my name is Sarah .I am 12 about to turn 13 in august, I have always wanted to become an actor / singer but I don’t know what agency will help me achieve that, please e-mail me about this, I will do anything just to act/sing
-love always
Sarah
By Sarah A., May 29, 2010 @ 6:13 am

Hi, my name is Sarah .I live in the u.s.a .Texas, Pearland.I am 12 about to turn 13 in august, I have always wanted to become an actor / singer but I don’t know what agency will help me achieve that, please e-mail me about this, I will do anything just to act/sing
-love always
Sarah
By chole, June 21, 2010 @ 1:07 pm

Hi, my name is amy i am 11. I do not have an agent but i dont know how get so amybe you could help, but anyways i am a big fan of disney channel and i want to become a actress. I have been on other websites and they do say that it would be better if you had a insterment, so that is a good this cuz i play the guatir
By Vanessa, June 26, 2010 @ 8:26 pm

i love disney channel it is my heart and soul and i have taken one acting class been in choir and is 11 years of age. i would love to be on disney channel i am not shy,and do not have an agent. i am also very mature and smart
By Megan, July 2, 2010 @ 12:53 pm

omg my dream is to act iv stared in school plays and all kinds of things if i could become a professional acter that would be amazing everything i ever wanted im 11 years o9ld and a big fan of disney channel every thing i ever dreamed of lyes far in the future but i would love it so much if my early acting carreer could begin early i take quizes on facebook and all i know i know im to young but every one has one anyways it was called what will your jb be and i got acter isnt that weird yea and so i was all phsyed and every thing like that i asked my mom if i ould inroll in this disney channel thing and she said no because i didnt have a cance and who says that youll never make it dont stop beleiveing is what my dad said he past away a couple of years ago and iv always rememberd what he told me and treched me to do be hopeful,never give up,keep trying,and keep dreaming thats the most wonderful words and lesson iv ever heard and so till this day i still remember and still proseced in what he told me to do and i know someday ill finally become what iv always wanted to do and to all u kids out there that want to be something that u dont realy think will ever happen keep hopeing dreaming and believinh and it will not always turn out perfect but u will have a great life.
By Maggie, July 5, 2010 @ 3:17 pm

I just turned thirteen a month ago and I have always dreamed of being a famous actress. I love doing school plays every season they have one. I’m pretty sure I’m not going to get an agent to do this so I am going to need some help. E-mail me if you can.
By Sara K., July 11, 2010 @ 4:10 pm

i hav a disney addition next saturday i really hope i get a part, any part!
By Jessica, July 11, 2010 @ 11:36 pm

um, hello my name is jessica, and i know that being an actress isnt the most sweetest peice of pie at first, your going to be going going going, and working working working, but acting has been my dream from sence i was just 4 years old. i love acting and i would also love being on disney channel, i want to hear the crowd calling my name, i want fans, and i want me to be seen by people as a sombody, and not just a nobody. so please just give me one chance, one opertunity, and i promise i wont let you down.
By ana, July 26, 2010 @ 10:21 am

i want to be an actress so my mom is taking me to Miami to get some additions do as i do trust in Miami you could become a star if you now spanish