THE NEXT CHAPTER COULD BE YOURS · NEWPORT BEACH, CA
Make a living.
Make a little magic.
For the storytellers, the daydreamers, and the people who light up when a child believes. Come help us make memories that last a lifetime.
Find your character ↓WHO ARE WE?
We built the world.
You bring it to life.
Once Upon An Island creates immersive worlds for children on Balboa Island in Newport Beach. Behind every mermaid encounter, princess tea party and North Pole adventure is a performer who makes the impossible feel wonderfully real.
Watch our homepage film and meet the heart behind the magic.
Our founder Heather, on why we built this world.
A DREAM WITH A PURPOSE
More time.
More connection.
More wonder.
Our founder, Heather Burbich, began her career portraying Disney princesses at Disneyland, then performed at Disneyland Paris and aboard Disney Cruise Line. Her favorite part was always the children. Her wish was always the same: more time with them.
So she built a world where children are never rushed. Where a shy child has time to warm up, a curious child can ask another question, and meeting a character becomes a real relationship.
We take that responsibility seriously. We are part of core memories children may carry for the rest of their lives. We’re looking for performers who care deeply about making those memories beautiful.
A VERY GOOD QUESTION
“If you have to work,
why not make it fun!”
FIND YOUR PEOPLE
A cast.
A community.
A place to belong.
You’re not just performing. You’re making friends, building community, and supporting one another.
Our worlds come to life through teamwork: sharing ideas, cheering each other on, and showing up with care for our guests and our fellow performers. Bring your creativity, your kindness, and your sense of fun.
The magic is something we make together.
CURRENT CASTING OPPORTUNITIES
Who will you become?
Explore a role below for photos, pay details and audition directions. Start with a self-tape from home. Selected applicants will be invited to meet us for in-person callbacks at our Newport Beach venue.
CHRISTMAS 2026 · 6–8 PERFORMERSNorth Pole Elves
$25–$50/hr · Guaranteed tips
North Pole Elves
$25–$50/hr · Guaranteed tipsCHRISTMAS 2026 · CASTING 6–8 PERFORMERS
A little mischief. A lot of heart.
Step through the doorway into Once Upon A Christmas. As one of Santa’s elves, you’ll welcome families into a living North Pole, guide curious children through extraordinary discoveries, and turn their questions into delightful little adventures. We’re looking for expressive, energetic storytellers with quick imaginations, warm hearts and a love of playful improvisation.
A glimpse of the world you’ll bring to life.
Self-tape directions: North Pole Elves +
Start with the slate below. Then perform your character section and choose any three questions to answer in character. Imagine a curious child is right in front of you. Keep it warm, playful and believable.
Your elf introduction
“Jingle bells and jellybeans! Hello, hello! I’m Pip Peppermint, Assistant Director of Toy Testing and Extremely Important Giggles. I’ve come all the way from the North Pole, and I have a very important question: are you ready for a little Christmas adventure? Wonderful! Santa says the best helpers have kind hearts, big imaginations, and excellent cookie-sharing skills. Now, let’s see what merry mischief we can get into!”
Use this introduction, give your elf your own name, and make the character yours through your voice, movement and personality.
Choose three child questions
- What’s Santa’s favorite candy?
- How do you make toys so fast?
- How old are you?
- What happens if a reindeer sneezes?
- What do elves eat for breakfast?
- How does Santa fit down a tiny chimney?
- What’s the silliest toy you’ve ever made?
- How do reindeer learn to fly?
- What do you do when a toy breaks?
- Does Santa ever take a vacation?
- What’s your favorite job at the North Pole?
- What happens if someone stays awake on Christmas Eve?
CURRENTLY CASTINGNeverland Mermaids
$25–$50/hr inside · $100/hr outside
Neverland Mermaids
$25–$50/hr inside · $100/hr outsideCURRENTLY CASTING · NEWPORT BEACH
Your imagination belongs here.
Our Neverland mermaids are original characters, each with a whole underwater life to share. You’ll invite children into our Mermaid World through conversation, play, transformations, tea parties and birthday adventures. Bring your own mermaid personality, a wonderfully silly sea story, and the ability to make every child feel like a friend.
A glimpse of the world you’ll bring to life.
Self-tape directions: Neverland Mermaids +
Start with the slate below. Then perform your character section and choose any three questions to answer in character. Imagine a curious child is right in front of you. Keep it warm, playful and believable.
Introduce your original Neverland mermaid
Invent your mermaid name, your job under the sea (perhaps you work at the Whale Wash!), your best sea creature friend, a story about how you met, and your mermaid superpower. Tell us about your world in character.
Choose three child questions
- Why do you have feet?
- Are you wearing a wig?
- Where is your tail?
- How do you breathe underwater?
- Do you know Ariel?
- Can I become a mermaid?
- What do mermaids eat?
- Have you ever met a shark?
- Where do you sleep?
- How do you talk to fish?
- Can you show me your superpower?
- Why can’t I see your ocean home?
Optional singing
If you sing, include 30 seconds of a song of your choice. Singing is not required.
Review lighting & slate instructions ↑CURRENTLY CASTINGPrincess Performers
$25–$50/hr inside · $100/hr outside
Princess Performers
$25–$50/hr inside · $100/hr outsideCURRENTLY CASTING · VENUE & TRAVELING EVENTS
Be the person she remembers forever.
There is a moment when a child realizes her favorite princess is right there, looking at her, listening to her, and inviting her into the story. That is the moment we care about. Bring beloved characters to life at intimate experiences, birthday parties and events in our venue, and at celebrations in family homes. Thoughtful character work, beautiful storytelling and heartfelt connection make the magic real.
A glimpse of the world you’ll bring to life.
Self-tape directions: Princess Performers +
Start with the slate below. Then perform your character section and choose any three questions to answer in character. Imagine a curious child is right in front of you. Keep it warm, playful and believable.
Tell her story
Choose your favorite princess and tell a 60-second story in first person, as that princess. Speak to a child, bring the moment to life, and let us see her warmth and personality.
Optional singing
If you sing, include 30 seconds of a Disney princess song. Singing is not required.
Choose three child questions
- Are you a real princess?
- Are you wearing a wig?
- Where is your castle?
- How did you get here?
- Where is your prince?
- Do you know the other princesses?
- Why do you look different in the movie?
- Can I be a princess too?
- Do you sleep in your gown?
- Can you stay at my house forever?
- What do you do when you feel scared?
- Why isn’t your animal friend here?
YOUR AUDITION JOURNEY
A little preparation.
A lot of personality.
Find your spark.
Explore the opportunities above and open the self-tape directions. Applying for more than one role? Include a clearly labeled section for each.
Let us meet you.
Complete the application and upload your audition, or share a viewable video link. A phone camera is absolutely fine.
Step into our world.
Selected performers will be contacted for a callback at our venue. We’ll get to know your character work, connection and creativity in person.
SELF-TAPE BASICS
We want to see you shine.
Keep your setup simple.
Face a window or place a soft light in front of you. Avoid a bright window behind you, harsh shadows, filters and distracting backgrounds. Keep the camera at eye level, use a quiet room, and make sure we can hear you clearly.
Film horizontally with your face and upper body visible for the performance. Step back for the full-body portion. Everyday clothes are fine; a costume is not necessary.
Start with your slate.
Tell us your name, where you live, and one fun fact about yourself.
Stand facing forward, then turn to show your left profile and right profile. Finish with a full-body view, head to toe. Then move into the audition directions for your role.
Be yourself in your slate. Be your character in the performance. Singing is optional for mermaid and princess auditions.
YOUR STORY STARTS HERE
Join the magic.
Tell us a little about yourself and send your self-tape. We can’t wait to meet the person behind the character.