Hong Kong Disneyland announced Saturday to launch a large recruitment drive for performers to become part of the international theme park's magic.

Kicking off at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Hong Kong Disneyland will hold its first round of auditions for the Park's vibrant parade dancers and will continue the process in the coming months to recruit a full range of performing artists including musicians, vocalists, actors, show dancers, character performers and variety artists.

In all approximately 500 performers will be hired by the time Hong Kong Disneyland opens in late 2005 or early 2006.

According to vice president of entertainment for Hong Kong Disneyland Laurie Jordan, the Park is seeing cast members who are passionate about not only performing but also creating magical moments and lasting memories for guests.

"Becoming a cast member at Hong Kong Disneyland is more than bringing a show to life, it is believing that you truly create magic for our guests," said Jordan.

The diversity and scale of Hong Kong Disneyland's talent recruitment drive is unprecedented in Hong Kong and so far the Park has received over 1,000 applications for various performing entertainment roles.

In addition to Saturday's auditions for parade dancers, Hong Kong Disneyland will hold further auditions in November for musicians specializing in brass, woodwind and percussion instruments, as well as pianists and harpists.