AIDA Cruises sets sail for Australia in search of vocalists and dancers

A major international opportunity is opening for Australian performers, as AIDA Cruises arrives in Australia to audition singers and dancers for its world class entertainment program at sea.

Australian vocalists and dancers looking for their next international contract may soon have a rare opportunity to step into one of the largest entertainment operations on the water. AIDA Cruises, Germany’s most popular cruise line, is coming to Australia to discover new talent for its onboard production shows, with auditions planned for Melbourne and Sydney.

For performers who have built their skills in Australian studios, musical theatre productions, cabaret, commercial dance, live entertainment, concert work, or corporate stages, the AIDA opportunity offers something distinctive. It is not simply a job on a ship. It is a chance to join an international ensemble, perform across multiple productions, travel the world, and grow as an artist in a professional environment that places equal value on individuality, versatility, and ensemble spirit.

Across the AIDA fleet, entertainment is a central part of the guest experience. The company presents a large portfolio of original productions across its ships, with performers working in major theatre spaces and delivering shows that span musical theatre, pop, rock, concert work, circus inspired entertainment, and large scale revue style performance.

For Australian artists who may be considering cruise ship entertainment for the first time, the message from the AIDA casting team is clear. Come prepared, come open, and come as yourself.

According to Christoph Suesens, Manager Casting and Rehearsals for AIDA Cruises, the company is not only searching for technical excellence. It is searching for artists with identity.

“Beyond the technical and performance skills, what we’re really looking for is you,” he says. “Your artistic voice, your personality, what makes you uniquely you as a performer. Authentic energy and the genuine ability to connect with the people in the room as a team is something that stays with us. We want to know who you are, not just what you can do.”

That philosophy sits at the heart of AIDA’s casting approach. The company is looking for strong singers and dancers, but it is also looking for people who can contribute to a diverse, international ensemble and bring their own personality into the work.

For Suesens, the upcoming Australian auditions are particularly exciting.

“I’ve always been mesmerised by the talent and positive energy we’ve encountered from Australian performers,” he says. “At AIDA, we deeply believe in diversity. We want our ensembles to reflect the world, with artists from different backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives. Australian performers bring something distinctive to that mix, and we’re very excited to discover the talent finally in your wonderful country.”

An audition room shaped by performers

 One of the most reassuring things for applicants is that the AIDA casting team understands the audition process from the performer’s side of the table. Suesens, who trained at the Stage School of Music, Dance and Drama in Hamburg, built his own stage career in productions including The Who’s Tommy, West Side Story, Kalle Blomquist, Candide, and Mamma Mia! in Hamburg and Berlin. His experience as a performer continues to shape how he leads the casting and rehearsal department.

“Our entire casting team comes from a performance background, so we know how it feels to be on the other side of that table,” he explains. “That is a big aspect of how we run our auditions. We want every person who walks through the door to leave with a positive experience, regardless of the outcome.”

That point is important. For AIDA, the audition is not only a test. It is also an introduction.

“The audition is also the moment where the performers get to know us as a company,” Suesens says. “We have to find out on both ends if we fit together and would like to continue this journey.”

It is a generous way of looking at casting, and one that may appeal to Australian performers who are weighing up whether an international cruise contract is the right move. The process is not about forcing every artist into a single mould. It is about discovering where a performer’s strengths, personality, discipline, and curiosity might fit within AIDA’s entertainment world.

 

Six productions per ship, multiple styles, and room to grow

 The scale of AIDA’s entertainment program is significant. Suesens and his team are responsible for filling around 500 positions per year and coordinating dozens of cast changes across the company’s fleet. That means they are looking for performers who can bring both professionalism and flexibility to a fast moving production environment.

“Our show portfolio includes six productions per ship, from musical theatre to rock and pop concerts to circus inspired shows,” Suesens says. “That means every performer gets to stretch across multiple styles and genres.”

For singers and dancers, that breadth can be one of the most rewarding parts of the job. Rather than performing one track in one show, AIDA artists may be asked to explore many performance languages during a single contract. That might mean shifting between theatre based storytelling, concert staging, high energy dance, vocal feature moments, ensemble work, and visually driven production numbers.

Suesens is clear that performers do not need to arrive feeling completely at home in every style.

“Not everyone will feel equally at home in every style at first, and that’s completely fine,” he says. “What matters is the willingness to adapt and grow, to find your version of a rockstar. Our theatres are large arena scale venues, and every contract is a journey of artistic development.”

That idea of artistic development is echoed strongly by Glenn Flavin, Musical Supervisor and Casting Associate for AIDA Cruises. Australian born and educated, Flavin has worked extensively as a classically trained singer, musical director, conductor, performer, and supervisor, with credits including Cats in Hamburg, Starlight Express in Bochum, Mamma Mia! in Hamburg, Sister Act in Hamburg, and the world premiere production of Rocky the Musical in Hamburg. He has been associated with AIDA Cruises for 28 years.

For Flavin, Australian performers are well suited to the company’s entertainment program.

“Australian performers are known for their individuality and high skill level,” he says. “These characteristics are a perfect match for AIDA Cruises.”

What AIDA is looking for in vocalists

 For vocalists, the ability to move confidently between genres is essential. AIDA singers may be asked to perform pop, rock, musical theatre, concert repertoire, ensemble vocals, and more stylised production material. Strong technique matters, but so does interpretive intelligence.

When asked what vocal and performance skills are most important for singers hoping to work with AIDA, Flavin points to a combination of craft and character.

“Adaptability across genres, artistic uniqueness, a solid vocal technique, and a sunny disposition will stand you in good stead,” he says.

His advice for singers preparing for the audition is practical and artistically grounded.

“Listen to as many artists as you can,” he says. “Don’t imitate, but create your own unique take on the material. Be ready to listen to feedback from the casting team on the day and adapt your interpretation.”

That final point is particularly useful. AIDA is not only watching what a performer has prepared. The team is also looking at how that performer responds in the room. Can they take direction? Can they adjust? Can they stay open under pressure? Can they bring their own voice to the material while still collaborating with the creative team?

For singers who have trained in musical theatre, contemporary commercial music, classical technique, cabaret, or live band work, this is an opportunity to show range. But Flavin’s advice suggests that range does not mean mimicry. The goal is not to sound like someone else. It is to arrive with the preparation and confidence to make the material your own.

A rare chance to grow internationally

 Flavin has seen many artists step into AIDA’s rehearsal and performance environment and evolve dramatically over the course of a contract. For performers seeking an international career, he believes the company offers a distinctive space for growth.

“On our stages, wherever you may be in the world, you will have a unique opportunity to grow as an artist,” he says. “You will not be shoehorned into a specific role, but rather you will, together with our highly skilled and experienced international training teams, create unforgettable performances and scenarios over many different genres.”

For emerging and established performers alike, that variety can be career changing. It allows artists to build confidence across styles, expand their professional networks, and develop the stamina required for an international performance career.

“Having seen this process many, many times, I’m always amazed at the individual growth of our vocalists and dancers,” Flavin says. “This is a rare opportunity to hone your performance skills and rise to a completely new level.”

His advice for anyone still unsure about whether to apply is to explore the company thoroughly.

“Do your research,” he says. “Check out our shows on YouTube or our reels on social media. Ask people who have completed contracts for us. There’s a reason why so many come back time and time again for follow on contracts.”

What AIDA is looking for in dancers

For dancers, the AIDA opportunity is equally broad. The company is seeking performers with strong technique, musicality, stage presence, personality, and the ability to work as part of a team.

Cara Hamilton, a member of the AIDA casting team, understands the Australian dance landscape deeply. After training in Melbourne, she built an international career across musical theatre and live entertainment. Her credits include Cats in Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Hamburg, and Stuttgart, Chess, Sisterella, Legends in Concert, Countdown The Australian Tour, Stars in Concert in Berlin, and the Australasian tour of Saturday Night Fever. She was also Resident Choreographer and Swing for the South Korean tours of Cats for the Really Useful Company.

Her advice to Australian dancers preparing for AIDA auditions is simple and encouraging.

“Come prepared and ready to shine,” Hamilton says. “Our auditions are a great opportunity to showcase your skills and stage presence to our casting team. Most importantly, come along to enjoy yourself and have fun.”

That combination of preparation and enjoyment is key. AIDA is looking for dancers who can handle choreography, but Hamilton says the team is also paying attention to the person behind the steps.

“As well as amazing dancers with strong technique, stage presence, and the ability to pick up choreography, the casting team are looking for performers with personality and a positive attitude,” she says. “We value creative, motivated, and capable performers who can work together as part of a team.”

In a cruise ship environment, ensemble skills are critical. Performers live, rehearse, travel, and perform in close proximity, often across multiple shows and production demands. Talent matters, but so do professionalism, attitude, generosity, and the ability to contribute positively to a company.

Versatility can open doors

Hamilton’s own career as a dancer, singer, choreographer, swing, and resident choreographer gives her a clear view of how valuable versatility can be. For dancers considering AIDA, she says versatility is not just useful. It can directly shape the kinds of opportunities that become available onboard.

“Versatility is so important for dancers and singers, particularly working in cruise ship productions as there are so many different opportunities that arise when onboard,” she says. “If you are a versatile dancer, you may be considered for different roles in the show, swing parts, or dance captain.”

That is an important point for Australian performers to consider. A cruise ship contract can be more than a performance credit. It can also become a training ground for leadership, swing work, rehearsal responsibility, and creative development. Dancers who arrive with strong technique, an open attitude, and the ability to adapt may find themselves growing in unexpected directions.

For those contemplating a first international contract, Hamilton says the professional and personal rewards can be considerable.

“Performing at sea brings a wide range of dancers from across the world that can lead to unknown future possibilities,” she says. “At a personal level, it is a wonderful experience to perform in spectacular stage productions while visiting the most beautiful destinations in the world.”

Her message to dancers who are unsure whether cruise ship performance is the right next step is direct.

“Performing on a cruise ship can definitely be the next step in a dancer’s career,” Hamilton says. “If you love performing and being part of a great production company while seeing the world, this is for you.”

More than a contract

 For many Australian performers, the idea of working internationally can feel both exciting and daunting. AIDA’s casting team does not dismiss that uncertainty. Instead, they encourage performers to see the audition as an opening, a chance to explore whether this kind of work might be the right fit.

Suesens puts it plainly.

“Just try it,” he says. “There is truly no better combination than performing and travelling the world and building new friendships, all at once.”

AIDA contracts generally run for six months, giving performers the chance to immerse themselves in the company, the shows, and the lifestyle of working at sea. For Suesens, even a single contract can be valuable, regardless of whether a performer ultimately decides to pursue cruise work long term.

“Our contracts run for six months, and the majority of our performers come back,” he says. “But even if it turns out not to be your path, you’ll have expanded your portfolio, seen parts of the world you might never have otherwise, and grown as a performer. It’s a win either way.”

That sense of possibility sits at the centre of the AIDA Australia auditions. The opportunity is not framed as a narrow career lane, but as a professional adventure. For some performers, it may become the beginning of a long relationship with the company. For others, it may be a single international contract that expands their confidence, credits, and worldview.

Why Australian talent matters

 Australia has long produced performers with a reputation for versatility, discipline, and energy. Many Australian singers and dancers train across multiple styles from an early age, often moving between musical theatre, commercial dance, concert work, cabaret, screen work, corporate performance, and live entertainment. That breadth aligns strongly with what AIDA is seeking.

Flavin sees the connection clearly, identifying individuality and skill as two qualities Australian artists can bring to the company. Hamilton, too, speaks to the importance of personality, positivity, creativity, motivation, and teamwork. Suesens adds that Australian performers bring something distinctive to AIDA’s global ensemble mix.

Together, their comments paint a clear picture. AIDA is not searching for anonymous performers who can simply reproduce choreography or deliver notes correctly. It is searching for artists who are technically capable, emotionally present, stylistically flexible, and ready to contribute to a diverse international company.

For vocalists, that may mean bringing a unique sound and interpretation to pop, rock, and musical theatre repertoire. For dancers, it may mean combining strong technique with musicality, stage presence, and the openness to take on additional responsibilities. For all performers, it means showing who you are.

A call to performers ready for the next step

 The upcoming AIDA auditions in Australia represent a significant opportunity for local talent. For singers and dancers ready to work internationally, collaborate with artists from around the world, and perform in large scale productions while travelling, this is a chance to be seen by a casting team that understands both the demands and the rewards of life on stage.

Applicants should arrive prepared, but not over polished to the point of losing themselves. They should know their material, understand their strengths, remain open to feedback, and be ready to show personality. The casting team wants to see skill, but it also wants to see authenticity.

As Suesens says, “We want to know who you are, not just what you can do.”

As Flavin advises, “Don’t imitate, but create your own unique take on the material.”

And as Hamilton reminds dancers, “Come prepared and ready to shine.”

For Australian vocalists and dancers, AIDA Cruises is offering more than an audition. It is offering a doorway into international performance, artistic growth, travel, friendship, and the possibility of a career that stretches far beyond home shores.

Submissions for the Australian auditions are via www.Castapp.pro a European casting platform that is free to join for performers.  Talent are required to create a profile, with their headshots, credit list and demo/showreel highlighting their singing and dancing skills. Selected performers will be invited to in-person auditions in Melbourne and Sydney in June.

Prospective performers are encouraged to research AIDA’s productions, prepare thoroughly, and step into the room ready to show the casting team their technique, their individuality, and their own unmistakable spark.