Dream Weavers

Jeff Girault

Disney Youth Group Talent Coordinators help give visiting performers a truly magical experience.
by Brad Mason

The experience of performing at Walt Disney World Resort can be many things — exhilarating, challenging, even a little overwhelming. Enter Jeff Girault, one of the friendly Guest Talent Coordinators who assist visiting ensembles as they venture into a performance workshop or onto a stage for Disney Magic Music Days.

After groups arrive, settle in, and get a taste of the park, Jeff helps them get ready to learn or perform. "We meet a group an hour and a half before their performance," he says. "We let the director know that we're going to be guiding them through the process. We'll have a short discussion with the chaperones that are assisting the director. And then we'll bring the group behind the scenes. That's where it becomes a special moment, because so few people get to come into the backstage areas."

Guest Talent Coordinators like Jeff get to know the group they're assisting before the performers arrive at the park. They look at the group's web site, examine the materials the group provides, and familiarize themselves with the music that the group will perform. They make the performers feel at home with a special touch: "We let them know that from this point on they are honorary Disney Cast Members," says Jeff.

"Our Disney Magic Music Days facility is right next to the production center for the parades," Jeff adds. "Students will see our parade floats, and they might see some of our cast members backstage. We let them know that it's going to start feeling like Hollywood on a back lot."

Jeff works with the whole spectrum of school performing groups. Usually this means marching bands, choirs, dance teams, and drill teams — but not always. "We even had a unicycle group a couple of weeks ago," he says. "We've had a jump rope exhibition and special events that involve baton twirling."

But it's mostly music-oriented groups that Jeff helps get ready for their big moment on the Disney stage. After a show the group receives commemorative T-shirts and certificates, along with a banner to display in its rehearsal space back home.

As a facilitator for the Disney Performing Arts Workshops, Jeff can see when a clinician makes an impact on a student performer. "I see a lot of students who wonder whether they can pursue a career in the performing arts. Light bulbs go on many times in young people once they meet some of the professionals here who make their living performing full-time in a live-show setting."

It's that light that Jeff and other Guest Talent Coordinators make brighter as they help young performers enjoy the experience of Disney Magic Music Days.

Jeff Girault, Dream Weaver

Role: Group Talent Coordinator

Grew up in: Colorado

At Walt Disney World since: 1988

Performed as: Parade lumberjack, chimneysweep in Mary Poppins

Training: Ice skating, drumming, acting