Dream Weavers

Bringing Out The Best

For Disneyland's Shawn Kelly, educating young performers is priority number one.
by Mac Randall

Shawn Kelly's Disney connection goes back nearly 30 years to 1981, when he was 14 and new to California. "During my freshman year in high school," he recalls, "I joined the choir. That December, we were part of the mass choir of over 600 voices for the Disneyland Candlelight Ceremony. It was only my second trip to Disneyland, and to get to perform in such an event was a true thrill."

That experience stayed in Kelly's memory, and when the opportunity arose more than 15 years later to join the Disney team as a stage manager for Disneyland's guest performers, he jumped at it. "I have always loved Disney's commitment to details," he says. "They know that good is never good enough when entertaining people, and they always seem to find a way to surprise you with even the simplest things. I wanted to be a part of that type of creative entertainment team."

Since 1999, Kelly has been a linchpin of Disneyland's guest talent department, first working with the performing groups that visit the park and eventually managing the team that looks after those groups. His official title is now Entertainment Manager, Guest Talent Events. One of Kelly's specialties is large-scale event planning, and although he's been involved with hundreds of major events during his decade at Disney, there's one in particular that resonates with him more than any other.

"Probably the thing that's touched me the most since I've been here was the 50th anniversary of Disneyland," he says. "We brought out 100 kids to sing as part of the ceremony right in front of Sleeping Beauty's Castle. There was a great group of people that were here to celebrate--Julie Andrews, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Christina Aguilera, LeAnn Rimes, and of course Art Linkletter, who was here on Opening Day in 1955. To be part of that ceremony was something I'll always cherish."

Today, among many other duties, Kelly has the honor of overseeing the team in charge of the Disneyland Candlelight Ceremony--the same event he took part in as a teenager. He aims to give every young person who comes to the park the same kind of inspiring experience he had all those years ago.

"The best part of my job," Kelly says, "is getting to work with a program that cares so much about the education of young performers and that gives them a chance to feel what it's like to be a part of the entertainment industry, whether it's marching down one of our parade routes, taking one of our workshops and stepping into the shoes of a professional, or performing on one of our stages. Giving kids a spark that lights their personal torch of desire and inspiration for a career is what I love about working at Disneyland."

Shawn Kelly, Dream Weaver

Grew up in: Dearborn, Michigan

Education: Specs Howard School of Broadcasting Arts

At Disneyland since: 1999

Disney Roles: Guest talent specialist, stage manager

Current title: Entertainment Manager, Guest Talent Events for Disney Creative Entertainment Anaheim