Upon reopening its theme parks, Disney had to resort to new practices for guests to return. For instance, the stage shows at Disney are either currently unavailable or operating under modified show conditions. Guests are noticing the absence of actors and how Disney is finding ways to work around the absent performers.
Actors’ Equity represents about 750 performers at Walt Disney World, including those who sing in “Beauty and the Beast — Live on Stage,” “Finding Nemo — The Musical” and the “Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue.” The union is adamant in asking Disney to provide regular COVID-19 testing of performers. However, Disney remains confident in the safety protocols already in place.
Equity filed a grievance after Disney canceled a planned recall to work for Equity-represented performers when the theme parks reopened this month after the lengthy coronavirus shutdown. While waiting for resolution, Disney is still moving ahead by creating modified show experiences for guests.
For starters, the bird show in Disney’s Animal Kingdom is now different. The new version is titled “Feathered Friends in Flight.” In the new show, a Disney employee who identifies as part of a team of animal-behavior specialists now hosts the show with a colleague.
Meanwhile, shows such as Savi’s Workshop at Disney’s Hollywood Studios are also modified. Savi’s Workshop is open for business, but without its “Star Wars”-themed show and Equity-represented actor. Instead, guests can be seen choosing lightsabers while background music plays but without the special effects or actor.
In the original version, an actor presided over the show while other cast members helped guests build specialty lightsabers. Now guests interact only with the secondary cast members, who wear face masks and shields to assist in building lightsabers.
We’ll have to wait and see what the future holds for live shows at Disney Parks.
Source: Orlando Sentinel
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