Spring Break
Students live dreams through 'magical company'
MANDY RODGERS
Issue date: 4/29/08 Section: Variety
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Junior Stephanie Davis took seven months away from campus to work at Disney World, yet she received a small amount of college credit. Cait Culpepper is putting her romance language degree on hold to live in Orlando and work toward her dream.
"It's the whole cliché. It's what I'm supposed to be doing," Culpepper said of her Disney quest.
After singing and dancing auditions, she has been hired by the company but is waiting to be placed in a cast member position. In the meantime, she continues auditioning for other things.
"I have an audition for Hong Kong Disney," she said. "I'm really excited."
The process is exact and Disney has rigid rules and regulations for becoming a cast member.
"It's pretty strict with how you look," Culpepper said. "You have to have the Disney image - just really pure."
Culpepper was driving in her car when she decided this career was her calling. She started missing classes because of auditions and was forced to withdraw from the University for the time being. Her parents agreed for her to pursue the job for a year that she wanted at a young age.
"I had all of those ridiculously overpriced dresses," she said. "I would think, 'Oh my God, I want to be a princess.'"
Davis has already worked at the theme park for several months as part of the Disney College Program that she discovered through the University. During her time as a cast member, she was "close friends" with Belle from "Beauty and the Beast"
Disney likes to keep the particulars of its members' jobs secret. "They want to maintain story character integrity day in and day out," said Davis, a theater major from McDonough. "It's all about the magic - magic moments."
Davis received the job through an Atlanta audition that involved dancing, monologue-reciting and many costume changes. She has worked at all the parks, including Magic Kingdom and MGM Studios.
Interacting with park visitors was Davis' favorite part.
"You actually meet some really special people - people there for the first time ever," she said.
One particular moment stood out in her mind with a young girl named Victoria. Belle met Victoria in one park and saw her the next day in another, remembering her name.
"She was so excited that Belle remembered her name," Davis said. "Her whole family was thrilled."
Both Davis and Culpepper recommend the experience to everyone, especially those pursuing a career in entertainment. Davis is looking into seasonal work with the park, and Culpepper is still a lover of all things Disney.
"I can't explain the feeling of the auditions," she said. "Working for this magical company, I'm really fortunate."
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