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A day in the life: Aurélien Berda

Aurélien Berda speaks to Ben Ireland about his role at Disneyland Paris, moving from acting to directing and the theme park’s latest attraction, Marvel Summer of Super Heroes.

I start the day with…
A good cup of coffee and go from there.

The first thing I do when I get to work is…
Check my schedule to see what’s in store. After that I will brief the teams about the previous day so that we are all aware of the latest developments. Disneyland Paris shows include many people with different responsibilities, so it’s really important that we share a team mentality. After the briefing, rehearsals begin.

My daily duties involve…
Meetings, rehearsals and creative directing, which includes collaborating with set designers, musicians, actors and singers.

I’ve been in my job for…
Three years. I was a performer at Disneyland Paris, and then creative manager, which taught me about all the facets of directing and the different roles in a show. It was a great experience, which got me to where I am today.

What’s it like moving from acting to directing?
They are very different. I still love acting, and portraying a character in the best way possible, but I’m passionate about directing too. It’s about giving form to ideas, leading a team, and getting the best from everyone to make dreams come alive.

I became a show director because…
I love to create stories and bring them to life, and give artists space to express themselves.

The most rewarding part of my job is…
The look in children’s eyes when they watch a show! Their eyes say it all – especially when they see their favourite character on stage. I’ve been involved in Season of the Force shows, Forest of Enchantment, Jedi Training Academy – and now Marvel Summer of Super Heroes.

The most challenging part of my job is…
Creating a show that responds to guests’ expectations. Everyone loves Disney, and when guests come to our shows we want it to go even beyond their expectations.

What can guests expect to see at the Marvel shows?
Marvel: Super Heroes United is an immersive indoor show that takes guests straight into the action of a Marvel movie. Stark Expo presents: Energy for Tomorrow! is a high-energy and entertaining outdoor show, while Guardians of the Galaxy Awesome Dance-Off is super-interactive, with popular rock songs and, of course, a dance party.

What else can we expect from the Marvel Summer of Super Heroes?
It’s a totally new experience featuring Spider-Man, Iron Man, Star-Lord, the Avengers, the Guardians of the Galaxy and more.

After work…
I go home and spend time with my family. To relax I light a scented candle, watch TV and relax with my family and our cat.

Marvel Summer of Super Heroes is on at Disneyland Paris until September 30.

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