Disney audition call gives more details about the upcoming 'Rivers of Light' at Disney's Animal Kingdom

Oct 28, 2015 in "Rivers of Light"

Posted: Wednesday October 28, 2015 1:13pm EDT by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney Creative Entertainment has put out a casting call to recruit dancers for the upcoming Rivers of Light nighttime spectacular at Disney's Animal Kingdom.


The show will open in Spring 2016, with speculation hinting Earth day in April as the target opening for the new show, and soft openings as early as March 2016. Disney has not yet given specific dates.

The audition is looking for Contemporary and Bollywood-style dancers, to be choreographed by Ulka Simone Mohanty. The dancers will serve as silent narrators orchestrating the action to convey the spirit of an ancient and timeless celebration.

Here is the full addition call:

Disney Creative Entertainment is seeking CONTEMPORARY and BOLLYWOOD-STYLE dancers for featured roles in a new offering at the Walt Disney World® Resort, near Orlando, FL. These silent narrators orchestrate all the action to convey the spirit of an ancient and timeless celebration. Choreographed by Ulka Simone Mohanty.

"Rivers of Light," the new immersive nighttime experience coming to Disney's Animal Kingdom in spring 2016, will combine live performances with beautiful floating lanterns, water screens and grand theatrical imagery, in a celebration of animals and nature. The event begins with the arrival of a pair of Shamans, two complimentary forces who come to the river bearing gifts of light. Along with their Acolytes, or assistants, the Shamans set out from the shore on elaborate lantern vessels, engaging in a dramatic dance of water and light to summon the animal spirits.

Discuss on the Forums

Get Walt Disney World News Delivered to Your Inbox

View all comments →

I am TimmyJul 17, 2020

Rough. I had high hopes for this, my oldest son actually loves it. We knew it wasn't popular, maybe if it had been given the chance it deserved, instead of constant cutbacks it could've been great. The area is beautiful, hope they do something with it.

HauntedMansionFLAJul 17, 2020

One of the best shows on property

brb1006Jul 17, 2020

At least we have the Tree Of Life projection show (that happens at random).

HauntedMansionFLAJul 17, 2020

Well, I guess if they aren’t going to be open pat 6:00 pm 😭

brb1006Jul 17, 2020

R.I.P Rivers Of Light 2017-2020

bubbles1812Mar 17, 2019

I don’t think they probably do that much cleaning (if at all) to the water in Paradise Bay. Having experienced WoC up close and personal, I can tell you it’s definitely not chlorinated by any means. I don’t think I’d feel too much difference with it versus the water in AK, haha. And I’ll echo what the other poster said. Definitely fireworks ash combined with water. Has happened to me at several of the Florida parks if there’s been a rainstorm right before the night shows. Still gross ;)

RSoxNo1Mar 16, 2019

Delicious tropical bacteria*

ToTBellHopMar 14, 2019

The water in Paradise Bay is nasty, too. At least in Florida, it’s only tropical bacteria.

TTA94Mar 14, 2019

Maybe im wrong but I feel like there is a big difference between the water in WoC and RoL lol. Getting wet from WoC doesn’t sound as bad or dangerous as getting wet by the nasty water of RoL lol. I feel like I’m going to catch some nasty bacteria or something lol. I remember watching Ignite at Sea World during the Summer, getting soaked from their fountains and having black specks on my skin. Gross!

Timothy_QMar 13, 2019

There's wind only in Florida? You usually get soaked in WoC if you're close to water. That's a non issue

TTA94Mar 13, 2019

It happened to me twice recently from the Dinoland side.

SquishyMar 13, 2019

I watched the show front row atleast 8 times already and never felt a drop of water.

TTA94Mar 13, 2019

Hopefully I’m wrong but I doubt the Shamans will come back. If RoL was more like World of Color, sadly with IP, it would be extremely popular. Although I’m not sure that would ever work due to wind and beeeze factors. As it is you can get pretty wet from just the 4 lotus fountains and the giant water screen.

cjkeatingMar 13, 2019

Let's hope so. No sign of Rafiki's reopening so I'm not holding out hope. :(