By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, May 7: The planned Sarawak Performing Arts Centre, set to be completed next year, could become a turning point for bringing international casting opportunities such as Disney auditions to Borneo, according to a Malaysian organiser involved in the upcoming Hong Kong Disneyland live auditions.
Just Being Experiences founder Ritzal Shawn said the new venue in Sarawak has the potential to host large-scale auditions in the future, reducing the need for East Malaysian performers to travel to Kuala Lumpur for casting opportunities.
“For many in Borneo, coming to Kuala Lumpur means extra cost and planning. If there is a proper venue like the Sarawak Performing Arts Centre, it changes the equation completely,” he said during a recent interview.
He added that the idea of expanding audition locations beyond Kuala Lumpur has been part of ongoing discussions, especially if Malaysia continues to prove itself as a strong talent pool in the region.
At present, Hong Kong Disneyland’s live open call auditions will take place in Kuala Lumpur on June 20 and 21 at Asia Ballet Academy, Bukit Kiara.
The two-day programme will begin with a Disney-led workshop in the morning, where casting directors will share insights into performance standards and expectations. This will be followed by separate audition sessions for Dancers and Character Performers across both days.
For Dancers, organisers are looking for strong technical ability in styles such as jazz and ballet, with successful candidates potentially selected for stage shows, parades, seasonal events and special productions.
For Character Performers, the focus is on physical storytelling and expressive performance to bring Disney and Pixar characters to life through parades, themed events and guest interactions.
Ritzal said formal performing arts training is not a strict requirement, as casting teams are also open to naturally gifted performers.
“They are looking for people with strong presence and the ability to engage audiences. Talent doesn’t always come from formal training,” he added.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old. The audition process will be conducted in groups, where dancers will learn choreography before performing in small batches, while character performers may be given non-verbal acting scenarios to perform.
He added that all auditions are recorded and assessed using assigned numbers instead of names, with selected participants potentially called back for further evaluation on the spot.
“If this year goes well, then we can start talking seriously about expanding where auditions can be held,” he said, adding that East Malaysia could be considered in future if infrastructure and demand support it.
Detailed audition requirements and registration information can be found at the official casting website DisneyAuditions.com. Pre-registration is required via https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/T3STMG9 before attending the June 20–21 audition sessions.
Updates can also be followed via Just Being Experiences on Instagram at @justbeingexperiences. — DayakDaily
