Determining the best variables for predicting success in being hired to perform in Kings Island Amusement Park's live entertainment shows

Warren Clifford Shillingburg, Purdue University

Abstract

This study was designed to study the selection process for Kings Island Amusement Park in Cincinnati, Ohio. Kings Island's audition forms and auditionee resumes were utilized to determine predictor variables associated with success in being hired. This study attempted to find the variables that were contributing to success in obtaining a job in Kings Island's live entertainment shows for the 1991 season. Data were collected over a two-week period from the 496 auditionees. This being the first exploratory study of its kind, all possible variables were collected for analysis, resulting in 27 different variables. The data were separated by singers and dancers and analyzed through multiple regression. Due to many missing variables, the final analysis was done on 109 dancers and 168 singers, 56% of the total performers who auditioned for Kings Island. The final analysis resulted in five variables for singers and four variables for dancers being considered important in the model. Those variables considered important to a singer being hired were the judges' singing and dance rating, the type of performer each auditionee was considered by the judges, and the number of positive and negative comments written about each auditionee at the bottom of the audition form. Those variables considered important to a dancer being hired were the judges' dance rating, the type of performer each auditionee was considered by the judges, the experience the auditionee had as a dance performer, and the number of positive comments written about each auditionee at the bottom of the audition form. To enhance the quantitative data, qualitative data were also gathered through interviews of a selected sample of those performers hired and a selected sample of the production staff. From these sample interviews, backgrounds of these performers were compiled and an attempt was made to find a connection between the performers hired and the related research on talent development. The results of the interviews can not be conclusive until further research is done in this area. With these sample interviews, there appears to be a discrepancy between the current research on talent development and talent development in the performing arts. More research is needed to determine the relationship between success and a performer's family background, his/her parental support, and a performer's training and experience.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

Asher, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Educational psychology|Recreation|Music|Dance

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