• Original article posted on Life at Disney on 10.22.2024

• https://sites.disney.com/lifeatdisney/career-opportunities/2024/10/22/disney-cruise-line-auditions-meet-elizabeth-casting-director/

Meet Elizabeth Sauter, a Casting Director for Disney Live Entertainment, supporting Disney Cruise Line. Before joining the Global Talent Casting team, Elizabeth had a diverse performance career that included work on the high seas, national tours, regional productions, and concerts. She also gained valuable experience as a Casting Director and Vocal Director with various entertainment companies.

“As a performer, I had some of the most positive and affirming audition experiences being in the room with the team at Disney. The kindness, attentiveness, and ability to connect with every performer on a personal level that the Casting team made me feel helped shape the casting ethos that I bring to my work every day. It is a privilege to be working for the company and alongside colleagues who were instrumental in helping shape my journey.”

Her experience as a Licensed Music Educator, Teaching Artist, and Professor allowed her to mentor over 5,000 students across North America, including those at New York University (Steinhardt), the New York Film Academy, and New York City Public Schools.

“As an advocate for arts education, I am passionate about EVERYONE having the opportunity to experience live entertainment. I still vividly remember the first show I saw in a theatre and the way live entertainment shaped the course of my life and career. It is a privilege to have a small part in creating this once-in-a-lifetime experience for our guests and knowing that I’ve helped someone have their first experience in a theatre is magical.”

Today, she is working as a Casting Director for Disney Cruise Line, which has a fleet of five ships and plans to add more, including the Disney Treasure and the Disney Adventure. She is responsible for casting a wide range of entertainment, from Broadway-caliber musicals to beloved characters.

“I have the utmost respect and admiration for each and every person that attends one of our auditions. Being a performer is the most incredible balancing act: prioritizing audition preparation and attendance with work, obligations to family and friends, and finding time to rest and recharge. Thank you for showing up! We can’t do what we do without you!”

Every Casting Director, Talent Casting Coordinator, and member of the creative team contributes their unique life experiences and career backgrounds to their work with Disney Live Entertainment. These individual experiences strengthen the team, enhance their work, and help them achieve their goals.

“I love the collaborative environment of the worldwide casting team at Disney. With such a robust global presence and casting teams spread across the globe, I am constantly in awe of how our teams can collaborate across time zones, continents, and at sea. From bouncing ideas off one another, sourcing difficult-to-cast roles, and planning global audition tours, it’s a privilege to have a global network of coworkers working towards a common goal.”

At Disney, the Talent Casting team is constantly challenged to develop new and innovative entertainment offerings. This involves collaborating with creative partners to brainstorm ideas and being present in the audition room to see how the words and concepts on a page come to life. For Elizabeth, this aspect of her role is both thrilling and rewarding.

“I love being in the audition room with performers, getting to know them, and collaborating with them on show material. When casting, we aren’t looking for people to simply fill the role, we are curating artistic families and solving creative puzzles. Above anything else, I’m looking forward to meeting YOU in the audition room. In addition to sharing your talents with us, I’m also looking for kind, generous, and collaborative people who can live and work together on a cruise ship.”

Audition days are thrilling and filled with energy. Elizabeth encourages performers to bring their unique personalities and life experiences to every aspect of their audition, whether it's scene work, singing, or dancing. She enjoys witnessing each performer’s interpretation of a story and collaborating with them throughout the day.

“While an audition day can feel busy for both the performers and the casting team, I always try to empower performers with the knowledge that your time in the audition room is for YOU! Try to release any of the tension from your commute, and any stress in the holding room before you enter the audition room and focus on connecting with us. We’re rooting for you!”

To ease those nerves, Elizabeth provided an additional audition tip: Keep your Disney Auditions profile updated! The casting team loves to see new reels, performance clips, and updated resumes. Remember this before your next audition:

“Disney is constantly growing and evolving which means our casting needs are too! It’s been wonderful to bring fresh perspectives and experiences to the team. We can’t wait to meet YOU in the audition room! Don’t spend time worrying about what you ‘think’ we want to hear or see - we want you to share what you connect with and that represents your artistic style.”