Backstage – The Truth About What Happens Behind the Curtain

Have you ever wondered what it is like backstage in the main theater of a cruise ship?  I had the opportunity to tour backstage on the Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas and the Holland America Koningsdam.

Backstage on the Oasis

First Full Broadway Musical

Oasis of the Seas was the first ship to incorporate full length Broadway musicals.

The Oasis cast performed Hairspray on her maiden voyage in 2008 in the 1,350 seat Opal Theater. It was still going strong on my 2010 cruise.

The stage on Oasis is large enough to accommodate such a musical. They produce a show with props, scenes, acting, singing, dancing, lighting and costumes comparable to Broadway. Plus, the cast must maintain their balance on pitching seas! Because it is an hour and a half show it is usually scheduled in the afternoon.

Auditions

Live auditions take place in New York, London, Toronto, Las Angeles, and Australia for performers to fill all the entertainment positions that change over every six months.

Rehearsals

Rehearsals take place in the $32 million, 133,000 square-foot Royal Caribbean Entertainment Studios on the Florida International University Biscayne Bay Campus that is generally said to be the largest rehearsal complex in the world. As would be expected, performers are exhausted and sore from the 6 day, 9am to 5 or 6pm rehearsal schedule. They live in one of 230 mini-apartments in a former college dorm with 470 other performers and directors.

It takes about a month for a new cast to learn a major production such as Hairspray. After that, they spend a week on the ship rehearsing and watching the previous cast perform. On the day of takeover, the old cast often sits in the audience and cheers on the new cast with loud applause.

Hairspray’s Unusual Mother

Hairspray, set in 1962, is the story of Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big aspirations who wins a spot on a local dance show, “The Corny Collins” show and finds herself transformed into an overnight teen sensation.

The parts of Tracy and the man who played her mother (yes, that is correct) were filled by actors who had played the roles on Broadway and consequently, it showed.

Questions and Answers

On the day of the tour, members of the cast held a question and answer session. Sitting on the edge of the stage, they introduced themselves, revealing that they came from all parts of the world. Then they took questions about what it was like to perform and live on a cruise ship. Since competition is fierce for these jobs, they appreciated this opportunity to be working artists in such a unique position.  Most were very young; some were in their first contract; others having performed through many contracts.

Backstage on Oasis

After the question and answer session, we broke up into groups and toured backstage as much as was safely possible. There were an amazing number of gigantic props secured to the walls. The stage itself is enormous and I had fun imagining what it would be like to perform on a stage with sections that rise and lower and turn.

Backstage on the Koningsdam

A Revolution in Entertainment

The Koningsdam launched 2016 with a revolution in entertainment for the Holland America line. The World Stage, the main theater, is 250 feet long and 2 stories high. It seats about 800 passengers in a semi-circle. 270 degree wrap around, high definition LED screens provide quick and dramatic set changes without the use of sets.

Some cast members also sat on the edge of the stage and answered questions but the focus of this tour was the dressing rooms on both sides of the stage.

Auditions

RWS Entertainment out of New York City handles the creation, development and ongoing management of the Holland America shows. Open call auditions occur around the world in 54 cities. Unlike Royal Caribbean, Holland American entertainment consists of 30-40 minute shows with varied themes using advanced video, audio, and lighting.

Performers may be auditioning for ballet, contemporary jazz or Latin ballroom among other types of dance based on the shows on that particular ship for which they have been hired.

Rehearsals

Those performers who do not live in the New York Metropolitan area receive housing in apartments with other performers. They have 3-6 shows to learn over the 6 week rehearsal period. Holland America is the only cruise line that conducts its rehearsals in New York City. Since a great majority of performers live in or near the City, this is a convenience for them.

Accommodations

Principle singers and guest performers generally are guaranteed a single cabin. Singer/dancers will probably receive a single cabin although it is not guaranteed. Dancers must share their cabins.

In the Dressing Rooms: Hair, Makeup and Costumes

Hundreds of shoes, dozens of costume changes, large lighted makeup mirrors and costume charts filled every available nook. There is no wardrobe assistance for the performers unlike in a land-based theater. Cast members do their own hair and makeup. In additon, a cast member with sewing skills volunteers to be in charge of wardrobe for extra salary. There are no backstage assistants to help get in and out of the costumes therefore the cast helps each other or summons a stage hand for help with complicated or quick costume changes.

Other Duties

In addition to performing, the Holland American cast,, by contract, must attend the Captain’s Cocktail Party, socialize with guests and lead backstage tours. Dancers must conduct dance classes.

Although performers have access to all the same public areas as the passengers, there is a 1am curfew in these areas. Also, no fraternization with guests is allowed as this can lead to immediate dismissal.

Salaries

Approximate Salaries for a lead vocalist range from $2400 – $3800 per month depending on the cruise line. In comparison, dancers earn $1800 – $ 2900 per month.

In Summary

Meeting the cast and touring backstage was eye opening because of the requirements needed to pull off some of these high tech productions. Early in my cruising days, ships offered simple variety shows in the evening. Today, the entertainment presented is of the highest level due to the intense competition among the cruise lines. As customers and passengers, we now get to enjoy some of the finest entertainment on land or sea.