For my summer job while in high school, in 1977 I passed a stage audition at the Busch Gardens theme park, in Williamsburg Virginia, to perform as the costumed character “Buford Beaver.” Just today, I found a long-lost photo that shows me, in costume, with my mother and grandmother, check it out!
I stumbled onto this job by accident. I originally auditioned to be a pianist in one of the theme park’s many stage shows. I didn’t get the gig, but somehow they thought I might make a good costumed character, so they invited me back for that audition. I was on stage with about 40 people who were hoping for the job, and the directors put us through a series of non-verbal improvisational exercises. We did group improv, and then we each did a solo improv. For mine, I was asked to improvise being a piece of bread, going into a toaster, popping up out of the toaster, and then being spread with butter and jelly. I had no experience with acting or improvising, and I’d never been on stage before, but I was too far along to say no. So I went all out!
When unexpected zigs and zags come your way, embrace them and own it!
I was the original Bufford the Beaver before the park opened. Check with Joe Pecsi or Linda Searls
It’s great to meet you, Henry! There’s another Buford living in North Carolina not far from me. He found this same blog post and contacted me. He made this YouTube video about being costumed characters at Busch Gardens: https://youtu.be/Aogd7yPT_x0