“Being able to see the world while doing what I love is something I will never take for granted. It is truly one of the greatest parts of the job. On my current contract I will visit 29 countries in 6 months on the ship. ”
What were your previous shows and which ship did you perform on for your first cruise ship contract?
My first Ship with NCL was the Norwegian Pearl. On the Pearl I performed in both Pure Variety (an NCL Show) and Legends in Concert (a tribute show hired by NCL to have on the Pearl).
Can you describe your upcoming second contract's ship, destinations and shows that you will be performing?
I am now currently in rehearsals in Tampa, Florida for the Norwegian Gem. On the Gem I will be performing in ‘Swing! The Musical’ (a musical NCL has purchased the rights to), Blazing Boots (a famous NCL country show, set in a Honky Tonk) and Get Down Tonight (an NCL disco filled show with the best hits from the 70s).
The ship will be sailing around the Mediterranean before returning to the Caribbean in the new year for the final months of my contract.
How long is the rehearsal process and how many shows do you typically prepare for?
Typically most ships have 3 dancer shows onboard. The rehearsal process for a ship with 3 shows is roughly 6 weeks in the studios. This time frame can vary depending on what shows are on the ship. We will rehearse for 6 days a week, roughly 8hr days for the month & a half spent here in Tampa, Florida.
Can you explain the roles of the creative team in developing a cruise ship show?
It truly takes a village to get from casting the shows to opening night & beyond. We will typically have one Creative Director who is in charge of teaching us the majority of the material for the ship as well as other guest creatives that come in to the studios throughout the process. We will also have a Wardrobe Director here in Tampa & then a Wardrobe Supervisor who will travel with us and remain on the ship throughout our contract. Our Entertainment Production Manager (EPM) is in charge of the cast as a whole, both in Tampa and on the ship. They remain with us throughout the contract while the Creative Director will only travel to the ship to install the shows & then disembark.
Where do rehearsals typically take place, and where will you stay during the preparation process?
All of NCL’s ship entertainment is provided by Creative Studios. Creative Studios training facility is in Tampa, Florida. The Creative Studios team puts all of the casts up in a nice gated apartment complex here in Tampa.
What's it like working with fellow cast members from different countries?
It’s truly an incredible experience getting to meet, work & travel with performing artists from all over the globe. On my first contract for the Norwegian Pearl we had nine different nationalities in a cast of 14.
My current cast has six different nationalities out of the 14 of us. It’s so special to be able to bond with everyone over our love & dedication to the performing arts. Dance is a language in itself.
What excites you the most about performing on a cruise ship?
Being able to see the world while doing what I love is something I will never take for granted. It is truly one of the greatest parts of the job. On my current contract I will visit 29 countries in 6 months on the ship.
I also love meeting people from all over the world. It’s a pleasure to be able to perform for people from all over the globe.
How has Transit aided you in preparing for your cruise ship career?
Transit helped me to sustain & further develop my versatility as a performing artist. While training at Transit I was able to maintain my classical training with weekly ballet classes as well as train my commercial side. Transit has the facility & faculty to provide its students with such a versatile range of styles to train in.
That training supported me through the audition process for my ship contract as every audition consisted of both technical elements and commercial dance.
What did you learn from your previous cruise ship experience?
Ship life is unlike anything else. To live at work & with the people you work with can be very intense. On my previous contract I learnt that it is important for me to stay grounded and stay in touch with the outside world. It can be easy to get lost in the ships ‘bubble’. It’s very important to remain grounded in who you are.
Being my first long-term professional contract I also learnt the importance of rest days for your body. To sustain 6 months of consistent performing on the ship you must listen to your body and give it rest if that’s what it needs. A healthy balance is important !
Lastly, how do you tackle being away from home for long periods of time while performing on a cruise ship?
This one is tough. I’d like to say it gets easier, but the truth is there are always bad days where you simply miss home. I am very lucky to have such a supportive family cheering me on from the other side of the world. So I feel blessed to always feel their love.
But with modern day technology, it’s amazing how much a video call can make you feel like you’ve been home for the afternoon. Making the time to stay in touch with everyone is very important to me. I am always sure to keep my family updated on what is happening in my life.
There are also small things you can do on the ship to make it feel more like home. The first thing I do when I move in to my cabin is hang all of my photos from home on my wall. I love waking up every morning to a wall filled with my favourite people!!
Want to follow in Georgia’s footsteps? Learn more about our Pre Professional Performing Arts pathway here!