Despite working in a full-time job, when the opportunity came about for Lauren Ho ‘18 to dance professionally at Hong Kong Disneyland, it was one that she couldn’t say no to. We talk to her about her experiences at the “Happiest Place on Earth” during her stint there as a performer.
Name: Lauren Ho
Graduating Year: 2018
Current place of residence: Hong Kong
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I joined CIS in reception but ended up at a boarding school in the US for the last two years of high school. In university, I studied business and earned a dual degree from Queen’s University and Peking University under the Future Leaders Program sponsored by the Belt and Road Institute. I definitely thought I would go the conventional route and become a consultant, but COVID had other plans!
When and how did you get into dance and performing arts?
I was put into ballet at 3 and ended up just sticking with it. In my teens, I wanted to learn new styles and ended up in a contemporary dance crew as well as performing with the Hong Kong Youth Arts Foundation. I really credit the latter with my growth as a performer and even with instilling in me the belief that a career in the performing arts was possible.
How did the opportunity to be a dancer at Hong Kong Disneyland come about?
I drastically cut down on my training after leaving to school in the US, but still took some classes here and there. As I was getting back into dance last year, a friend at Disney encouraged me to attend the open dancer auditions they host every December. At this point, I already had a full-time job and just treated the audition as a free class without any expectations. A month later, I got the call while I was at the office and instantly started going over the ‘what-if’ scenarios in my head. I spoke to my bosses and mentors and they all agreed this was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. Luckily, we agreed we would treat it as a sabbatical and there would be a position for me at the company when I came back.
How much training and preparation do the dancers go through to be show ready?
I was a chorus dancer in the Festival of the Lion King, and joined with other new cast members during theatre dark days— when all the existing cast members had their holidays. We spent one week with the show captains learning the whole show from top to bottom in a studio, then went into the theatre to spend one week with the rest of the cast, tech team, and costuming team to do costume runs, makeup class, lip sync rehearsals, and finally your approval run to prove you’re show ready.
We also rehearsed for Let’s Get Wicked, the Halloween special, in between Lion King shows before opening. Both shows have tons of moving parts and contingencies, so it takes extreme coordination between not only the people onstage, but everyone backstage to make sure everything goes smoothly.
What was your most memorable performance during your stint as a dancer there?
Being able to interact with the audience made every performance special. But one particularly memorable performance for me was on the first day of Let’s Get Wicked. There’s a scene where we are all in a bar with Gaston and there are huge tables on wheels that move and rotate all around the stage. Near the beginning of the scene, my tulle skirt got caught on the table and started unravelling. I ended up having to dance for a bit with a long piece of fabric trailing behind me before I was able to run offstage and quick-change for the finale. Live theatre— nothing like it!
Any plans to pursue dance or performing arts full-time later down the road?
I’m back in an office now doing work that I also enjoy, but after experiencing performing at Disney there is no way I will ever leave the stage for good. For now, I stay behind the scenes to teach contemporary jazz classes with SHIFT, choreograph with the Hong Kong Youth Arts Foundation, and take freelance gigs when possible!
What is your favourite Disney movie and why?
Lilo and Stitch will always have a special place in my heart.
This year at CIS, we launched the Phoenix Arts Club, a parent-run volunteer organisation whose mission it is to promote, support and enhance the Arts within the school. What words of advice do you have for those keen on Visual or Performing Arts as a career path or degree?
Surround yourself with the right people and support others. I make it a point to connect with local artists, go to shows, and expose myself to all sorts of art— dance, music, visual art, everything! You never know who you’ll meet or how you will get inspired. You don’t have to go to art school in order to ‘make it’, but you will always receive the energy you put out in return.
Quickfire round – give us the first answer you think of
- Your best and worst subject at CIS: Best— English, Worst— Science
- Your go-to karaoke song: Downtown by Macklemore and Lewis
- What chore do you absolutely despise doing? Dusting
- What is the last thing you impulse bought? $2000 worth of Disney merchandise the last day I had my cast member discount.
- Your favourite local Hong Kong snack: Gaidaanzai from Eggs Bakery in Fortress Hill
What is your favourite memory from CIS?
I spent 12 years there, so too many to count! But one that stands out is winning dance idol in Year 6 with my friends to the song ‘Firefly’ by Owl City
Form a dance troupe with your favourite teachers during your time at CIS.
Ms. Mcnickle, 李老師, Mr. Sautin