Last time we checked in with Maisie Chan (B.A. theatre arts technology and B.S. business administration management ’12), she was a freshly minted Chapman graduate and gave us an update about her 6-month internship at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla.

Today, Maisie is an entertainment manager for Shanghai Disneyland, a unique park that celebrates Chinese culture and heritage and is set to open on June 16. Maisie credits her dual degree in theatre technology and business as a key to her professional success since graduating from Chapman. Read on to learn about Maisie’s career and her life as an American living abroad in China, and to get some insider details about the highly anticipated Shanghai Disneyland!

maisie-chanHow did you get started with Shanghai Disneyland?
After I graduated from Chapman, I got an internship with Walt Disney Parks & Resorts – Creative Entertainment (WDPR-CE) at Walt Disney World in Orlando. I worked as a production assistant intern and helped put on several events such as Epcot Food & Wine Festival and Epcot New Year’s Eve Party. After my internship, I moved back to Orange County and got a job as a talent casting coordinator for WDPR-CE at Disneyland Resort. At that job, I facilitated entertainment auditions. After a couple of years, I was picked up from Walt Disney Imagineering – Creative Entertainment as a production coordinator to help with the Shanghai project. A year later, I was then promoted to an entertainment manager and relocated to Shanghai to help oversee my project as it gets installed and open to the public.

What do you do on a day-to-day basis?
There is no average day-to-day. Currently, I am dealing with shipping all of my scenic and technical equipment from the United States to China. In the mornings, I go through my e-mails and take care of any urgent matters. After lunch, I go out onto the construction site and check how my venues are doing in regards to structure and scenic installation. In the afternoon, come back into the office and finish up any e-mails or go to meetings.

What’s your experience like living abroad?
I am currently living in Shanghai and have been here for over a month. I am Chinese-American, but I do not speak Chinese. My biggest challenge is the locals assuming that I speak the language. When I speak in English or say that I am an American, the locals either get very confused or angry. Some expats who live around me will assume that I am a local and will speak to me in Chinese.

The language barrier can be difficult and frustrating. However, I never had a real problem on ordering food, buying stuff from stores, or getting around in a taxi. All you need is some common sense, hand gestures, and a good English-Chinese app on your phone. It also helps to learn key words/phrases in Mandarin such as turn right, turn left, go straight, stop, yes, no, thank you, and receipt.

Anything interesting you can share with us about Shanghai Disneyland?
Here are some interesting facts about Shanghai Disneyland Resort that I am able to share:

  • Shanghai Disneyland Resort is located in New Pudong District, Shanghai
  • Construction of the resort started in 2011
  • Opening Date of the Resort will be June 16, 2016 (less than 100 days away!)
  • This park is not like the rest of the parks in the world. This is a unique park that embraces the Chinese cultural heritage. Our park is to be authentically Disney and distinctly Chinese.
  • At the center of Shanghai Disneyland, the iconic Enchanted Storybook Castle will be the first castle in a Disney theme park that represents all the Disney princesses.
  • The lands in the park will be: Mickey Avenue, Gardens of Imagination, Adventure Isle, Treasure Cove, Tomorrowland (that will debut the TRON Lightcycle Run attraction), and Fantasyland.

What insight would you give to current students and alumni who are searching for employment?
Try to get as many internships as possible. I did three internships and it helped me get to where I am today. I got my Disney internship in Orlando because I did an internship in Rome, Italy for an opera. I got my job at Disneyland because of my Disney internship and an internship with A&E/Lifetime in the Business Affairs department and learned about contracts. Internships are great resume builders, networking tools, and work experiences.

What advice do you have for current students who want to make the most out of their time at Chapman?
My advice is to get to know your professors, get more involved with your department, and join clubs/organizations. I had a few outstanding professors that gave me the best life advice that I still use to this day. The more involved I got within the theatre department, the more I got to know my professors and my classmates. It led me to meet some of friends who I still talk to this day. The more you do and get involved, the more opportunities you have that may lead to your career path.

From your time at Chapman, which faculty member(s) made the greatest impact on you and why?
The one professor that made the greatest impact at my time at Chapman is Professor Don Guy. He gave me so many opportunities at Chapman that developed crucial skills like organization, how to act calm in a stressful situation, how to work with people who may not see eye-to-eye with you, etc. He is an amazing professor and I’m 100% positive that not only did he impact my life, but many others from the tech department.

maisie-chan-1How has your Chapman degree helped you in your professional and personal life?
I got a duel degree at Chapman (a B.A. in theatre arts technology and a B.S. in business administration management) and it’s a conversation starter in interviews. Wanting to work for Disney, my theatre degree makes sense. However, having that business degree made me stand out in front of the other applicants because not only do I have the artistic understanding, but also the business and logistics understanding.

How were you involved on campus during your time as a Chapman student? (clubs, organizations, etc.)
I was one of the founding members of USITT – Chapman Chapter.

What is your favorite Chapman memory?
My favorite Chapman memory is when I got the opportunity to help work the first Cirque du Soleil Symposium. I got to network and interface with so many great professionals. It was a fantastic learning experience and it opened my eyes to all the possible job opportunities that I can try to pursue.

What was your favorite spot on campus as a student?
My favorite spot was inside the Waltmar Theatre tech booth. It will always feel a bit like home to me.

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