Busch Gardens is Now Casting Lead Acting Roles in Iceploration

Last month, we announced that Busch Gardens will debut its biggest ice show ever on 2-2-12. Starting February 2, a cast of 20 will bring to life an all-new adventure filled with world-class skaters, amazing aerial performances, master puppetry and live animal stars, with shows daily in the Moroccan Palace. Busch Gardens and Advanced Entertainment Group is now casting for the two starring acting roles: Austin—a young boy between 10 and 13 years old—and Grandpa.

Learn more about these non-skating characters below and email Rich Porter at richardgporter@bellsouth.net to schedule your audition if you’re a fit for either role.

About Iceploration

The 30-minute show opens with Austin, a digital-savvy preteen, explaining how technology has made his generation more connected to the world than ever before. But his grandfather – and old-world explorer – argues that the boy is more disconnected than he realizes, and takes him on an adventure around the globe. Through their travels they visit the African Serengeti, Great Barrier Reef, the Arctic and the Amazon rainforest.

About Austin

Austin looks like any kid you might find in your neighborhood.  He’s a slightly cynical (approximately) 11-year-old boy who is armed with wireless technology that gives him access to just about anything. To Austin, there doesn’t seem to be a reason to step out into the world when you can bring the world into your room with a few clicks on a computer. In fact, Austin can play with an entire playground full of kids his age from the comfort of his favorite chair.  He’s not concerned the playground is a virtual world or that his avatar looks nothing like him, or that no one knows his real name.  The games he plays are full of adventure and he’s developed quite a few buddies who all help each other out on their various missions.  When Austin’s environmental scientist Grandpa offers to take Austin along as an assistant on his next scientific fact-finding trip, Austin isn’t interested. Although Austin loves his technology-challenged Grandpa, he thinks he’s a bit of a “dinosaur.” But Austin’s grandfather isn’t deterred by the boy’s lack of enthusiasm.  He plans to introduce his sun-starved grandson to the wonders of a first-hand experience with the natural world.

About Grandpa

Grandpa (Mr. Jones) is a seasoned explorer who has traveled worldwide to conduct research as an environmental scientist.  He is a ruggedly handsome, in his late 50s to mid 60s and is accustomed to being self-sufficient.  Equally at home in a University lecture hall or in the wilds of the rainforest, Grandpa’s innate sense of how to peacefully co-exist with all living things informs every moment of his life.  Though Grandpa has had to learn how to use modern technology in his research, he finds the constantly changing nature of technology tiresome.  It’s not that Mr. Jones is resistant to learning, it’s just that by the time he finally figures something out, it’s already been replaced by a newer version.  As a result, he often reverts back to his “old school” way of doing things.  To him it’s just simpler. When Jones decides it’s time to engage his 11-year-old grandson in the great outdoors, he knows the only way he’ll get Austin to come is if he puts him in charge of the more technical aspects of the trip.