- Joined
- May 2, 2002
My dd got her acceptance a week ago today! We are thrilled for her. And she is set to head to auditions next week.
As far as your situation goes.....being a parent and playing the waiting game is the hardest thing to do. I hated it. My Kate applied on Jan 12, got her WBI within an hour of applying, then set up her phone interview for the 19th, a week after her original application. So, we waited a bit more than a month. I completely understand your frustration...I also was hesitant to spend the time and money to go to auditions only to get rejected when we returned home. BUT...and this is the hardest thing for us, the parents, to understand. Disney doesn't care about us. They don't pay attention to our emails or phone calls. Our kids are adults in their eyes. They won't talk to us. It's the same as it would be with any job application process....but because it's Disney, we tend to look at it differently. I had to accept the fact that my 'baby' was an adult now. I put her on a plane to Europe in Sept....she managed to make it through just fine. She grew as a person...she found that she was capable of a lot more than she thought she was.
So.....and I say this with all due respect and hopefully kindness.....let her go!! Let your daughter do what needs to be done. You can't do this for her. And yes, I get how hard it is. This is your 'baby'. But, Disney doesn't see her as a baby....they see her as an adult. And if an applicant needs to have a parent run interference for them, then they aren't going to think that kid is a good choice for DCP. These kids have to take responsibility for feeding themselves, laundering their clothes, getting along with others, health concerns and getting to work every day. We, as parents, aren't going to be able to do that. Better that we just allow them to control it from the very beginning.
As far as the auditions go? Well......understand where I come from when I say this, the mother of a performer. We all think our kids are the most talented kid out there. And we think that Disney would be so very lucky to have them. But, as with every job in entertainment, your kid isn't going to be a match for every thing they audition or apply for.
Of course, I'm that mother who doesn't think her child is the best thing since Ethel Barrymore!!! I tend to be very honest, perhaps too honest, about Kate's abilities and her performances. So, the first time I told her that I didn't see 'Kate' up on the stage, but the person she was portraying? She bawled her eyes out. She's talented, don't get me wrong. But, others are as well. So, only you and your daughter can decide if it's worth the chance to go to audition and possibly not get chosen in the end for DCP.
The thing to keep in mind is this....I truly believe, as do others, the the original application is searched, by a computer program, for specific phrases and words. If the program doesn't see those, or not enough of them, the applicant is rejected. If the program sees what it's looking for, it moves the applicant on to the WBI. And again, a program is looking for specifics. If it sees some of the specific phrases and words it's looking for, it may put the applicant into submission. If it sees more of what it's looking for, it allows the applicant to move on to a phone interview. Now, a real human being gets to talk to the applicant. At this point, it's up to our kids to really sell themselves. If the interviewer likes what they've heard, the applicant could be put in progress. Or possibly into submission..not too sure if that happens. Which basically means that some kids are going to get accepted more quickly than others, while others will have to sit and wait to see if they are going to be a fit down the road...after those who are a better fit are accepted. So, there's always a chance of acceptance, right up until the closing date.
Now....I can't say, for sure, if my theory is correct or not. But, I can't imagine that Disney has people sitting there, at computers, reading 50,000 applications! It would seem to be nearly impossible. But, I could be wrong.
So, in short.....keep on hoping! There is hope until it all closes or your dd sees NLIC on her dashboard. Send her off to the audition. Better safe than sorry. Besides, I firmly believe that every time you audition, you learn something. Kate would be going to auditions as long as she was still in the running! And then? Try to let go and let your daughter take the reins! I know it's hard, and you so badly want to help and be a part of it all.
And yes, your dd is probably very busy at school...man, I get that. Dd had a performance Friday night, a 4 hr music rehearsal for their next show on Sat, a performance on Sat night, and a performance on Sunday afternoon...as well as tonight, tomorrow night and Wed night. And her homework, going to class and getting work study done. Don't know how they do it! So, my fingers are crossed for you and your dd.
I really hope it all works out for her. And I really, really hope I haven't sounder harsh or unfeeling here. That's not my intent. I've just been down this road and wanted to share my experiences and how I decided to handle it the best way I could. It's so hard being a mom, and a mom of a performer is even harder....your child has to deal with so much rejection. That hurts a mom!!!! Hang in there!!!
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