There's still the chance that the actors are only for shows, but I'm really not sure... This is huge for the park either way.
40th Anniversary Celebration & Park Revitalization
- Thread starter Zachary
- Start date
Joe said:
Joe,
I would not read too much into the park having on-site auditions. They have always held entertainment auditions at the park (usually 2 dates held in late January to late February).
Usually, this happens in conjunction with the 3rd party entertainment company being present. I believe it is the entertainment company's choreographer that teaches a dance routine to the dancers to evaluate their performance. The performers (singers & dancers) are hired and under contract to the 3rd party entertainment company. Not sure about the musicians being hired for 2014.
The auditions at the park gives those, living in the region, an opportunity to audition live for a spot in a show cast. Course, those that cannot attend the live audition dates can always send in a video audition.
The 3rd party entertainment company does not limit themselves to the in-park auditions, they can do their own series of auditions, in or out of state. Many times they are auditioning for more than just theme parks. They can be looking for folks to perform for Cruise Ships, Casinos, and large corporate events.
Many 3rd party entertainment companies also go to regional entertainment conferences where they can see performers audition for multiple companies at a time.
From what I have heard thru the grapevine, Kings Dominion has hired another 3rd party entertainment company to do the 2014 auditions. Sorry, they must be keeping the name under tight wraps as there is no info at the moment declaring who the company is.
Joe said:
My guess is that at least 1, or maybe 2, show(s) in 2014 will feature a live band to accompany the singer/dancers in the production(s).
Kings Dominion should be getting a new country music show for 2014. I am placing my bets on at least that show getting a 5-6 member band to accompany the performers. (Drum set, Piano/Keyboard, lead guitar, bass guitar, fiddle, and banjo).
There could be musicians hired for the Pop/Contemporary music show as well (on the small side; a 5-6 member band or, on the large size, 9-10 member band with a 4-5 piece brass section). Given that the park alluded to entertainment from the 1980's, they might be putting on a retro-style show for 2014 featuring the music from the 1980's.
As far as roving entertainment goes, we are getting the Clown Band back.
There were other entertainment performers from the 1970's and 1980's that could be brought back. Here are some that I remember:
1) Puppet/Marionette shows [either at a particular location or as a street performer].
2) Jugglers [The park has had individual jugglers as well as a juggling trio in the past].
3) Street Magician
4) Mime
5) 10-12 Member Band of musicians that played the big-band music from the 1930's & 1940's.
6) Small ensemble of musicians (4-5) that played Dixie-land style music.
7) Actors playing some sort of character in a roving street performance.
Hmmm.... I wonder if there is more to Dennis Spiegel's visit/interview from this past fall. Remember he was GM of the park from 1975 thru 1980; and, he currently runs his own theme/amusement park consulting firm. I wonder if Kings Dominion went back to him to get information about how things were "back in the day". Maybe he did some consulting work for the park for the 40th anniversary stuff happening for this season.
I enjoyed it too. Thanks for posting it! I still get a kick out of the people that ridicule this park for the 'lack of trees' !! For the last 15 years this park has been lush with them. I remember visiting the park during this treeless, pavement infested era, and I certainly understand where the mentality of the treehuggers comes from. The fact that this idea that KD has no trees, cannot be let go, is what amuses me. International street is like a forest! (as well as 'most' other areas) It is the nature of the beast I guess
Candy Apple Grove and portions of the Congo are the only areas where they don't have a lot of trees. Of course the issue is that this is the one of the main parts of the park.
It is more than just a lack of trees. My main impression of KD for the past several has been chewing gum, graffiti, and concrete. To be clear, I still go at least once a year, because I love roller coasters, but I certainly don't go for the atmosphere.
I hope that some of this will change, but I'm not sure it can ever be as charming as BGW. Why? (Warning: potentially offensive observation coming.). I believe that by the nature of the rides, KD attracts more teenagers and 20-something's and fewer families. I know most discussion here centers on theming and decor, but at the end of the day, the rides are a major factor in deciding to go to a theme park. It is my observation that a hoard of unsupervised teens is more likely to carve their initials in a fence than kids at a family-oriented park. In short, unless the demographics change radically, I'm not sure that KD will ever have BGW's charm, trees or no trees.
I hope that some of this will change, but I'm not sure it can ever be as charming as BGW. Why? (Warning: potentially offensive observation coming.). I believe that by the nature of the rides, KD attracts more teenagers and 20-something's and fewer families. I know most discussion here centers on theming and decor, but at the end of the day, the rides are a major factor in deciding to go to a theme park. It is my observation that a hoard of unsupervised teens is more likely to carve their initials in a fence than kids at a family-oriented park. In short, unless the demographics change radically, I'm not sure that KD will ever have BGW's charm, trees or no trees.
Hahaha! Good rant Nic! I totally agree with your chewing gum, teenager, and concrete infestation observations. 24 years ago, when the park still had some of its original charm, I was the kid you just described! Hanging out with groups of teens, adding to the gum-wall in the Time Shaft Q, and smoking cigarettes in the 'secret' area of Yogi's Cave. Kids have always done things like this and they always will. Its not that BGW doesn't have these types of shenanigans. They do. They are just MUCH better at cleaning up after them! CF is cleaning KD up nice though Maybe they'll plant more trees too!
Maybe they'll plant more trees too!
In all fairness, I think that's the main goal of this year; to try to dispel that image. I'm not sure how well it would work, but it was enough to convince me to get a season pass.
Nic pid=91728 dateline=1391708794 said:
No, but BGW's charm can come down far enough to meet it in the middle.
Kings Dominion posted the latest Candy Apple Grove construction pictures.
[facebook=https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151860697161875&set=a.180141141874.131348.32237381874&type=1&stream_ref=10]
[facebook=https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151860697161875&set=a.180141141874.131348.32237381874&type=1&stream_ref=10]
Ehhhhhhh, while I would love for KD to cross into theme park territory, it's going to require a lot more work.
It certainly won't happen overnight. But we're at a great start right now. I think they could say that they are transforming into a theme park rather than saying they are at this point.
I would like to point out the size of these apples. The bottom (when on its side) is as tall as that guy.
I would like to point out the size of these apples. The bottom (when on its side) is as tall as that guy.
Yay! KD40 construction photos!
Anaconda in the nude.
The future home of the Singing Mushrooms?
Sneak-peak at Candy Apple Grove with new pavers! It looks so pretty!
Work on this mound of dirt continues so it will soon be the Flower Clock!
Something is happening here at International Street's fountains.
PIPES!! Pipes for everyone!!
Another Anaconda shot. Check out the drained lake!
Nothing new was posted on Volcano, so that's all for now. Looking at these pictures really amazes me. The park already looks so beautiful. This season is going to be great!
Anaconda in the nude.
The future home of the Singing Mushrooms?
Sneak-peak at Candy Apple Grove with new pavers! It looks so pretty!
Work on this mound of dirt continues so it will soon be the Flower Clock!
Something is happening here at International Street's fountains.
PIPES!! Pipes for everyone!!
Another Anaconda shot. Check out the drained lake!
Nothing new was posted on Volcano, so that's all for now. Looking at these pictures really amazes me. The park already looks so beautiful. This season is going to be great!
Thanks for posting that Joe! I hope that KD will be doing another coat of primer over that. I know there is gaps from peeling paint and maybe they are filling the holes, but I think the entire coaster needs to primed before they go on to paint the entire ride.
Another hope is that they bring out a brush mower to help clean it up.
Also there is a lot of pipes for the fountain pool. That makes me wonder what will be expecting...
Another hope is that they bring out a brush mower to help clean it up.
Also there is a lot of pipes for the fountain pool. That makes me wonder what will be expecting...