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Faith in the Middle of the Magic

While Jessup alumni continue making their mark in a variety of arenas, this summer we had a chance to catch up with recent theatre and music graduates Tara Harness and Emilie Pitcock who were accepted to The Disney College Program (DCP) in Orlando, Florida. 

The program is a paid internship experience for college students and recent graduates offering a full-time, immersive work experience at Walt Disney World Resort, where participants can work in frontline or backstage roles, live in provided housing and participate in personal and career development activities like networking and career exploration sessions.

Tara Harness:

Harness wanted to work at Disney since she was eight years old and always considered it a dream to work there. As part of the DCP, she’s been working in the Magic Kingdom as a character attendant. “I absolutely love being an attendant,” she said. “I do eventually want to become a performer, but being a character attendant is such a privilege and an adventure!”

When most people imagine working at Disney, they think of pixie dust, parades and maybe even a pair of famous mouse ears. But for Harness, her Disney experience has been a symphony, an orchestration of discipline, creativity, faith and friendships that shaped not just her work, but her outlook on life.

It all began in Jessup’s music department.“That job taught me that attention to detail shows you care,” she said. “Not just about the project, but about the people involved.” Under the guidance of mentor Lauren Horst, Harness learned how to approach each task with focus and efficiency, but also with compassion. “It wasn’t about getting things done quickly, but about doing them the right way.”

At the same time, her work in Jessup’s theatre department pushed her to balance structure with spontaneity. “I had to keep the organized side of me in check with the footloose creative, and now I carry that balance into my current role every day: organizing lines, keeping track of schedules, telling stories and most importantly, making magic.”

That magic took on a whole new meaning during her very first week of training, when an unexpected analogy sparked something inside her. “They described the role of an attendant as that of an orchestra conductor. I lit up instantly. I know how this works!”

Her background in conducting, choir, acting and stage tech all flowed into her new responsibilities. “As an attendant, I get to conduct. I set the tempo for guest interactions, interpret the music by communicating between characters and guests and cue the instruments — the photographer, the performers and the visitors themselves.”

Her favorite part of the program is the people. “Working with performers is so much fun, but being part of the joy that Disney brings to so many people is a gift,” she says.

Mentors, she explains, are everywhere. “On my first day out of training, I met cast members who were so kind. They showed me tips and tricks, put me at ease and shared their wisdom.” And then there’s her group of fellow trainees who are spread across different parks now, but still keep in close touch. “Anytime someone has a question or just needs a buddy, we’re there for each other.”

The DCP also provides networking opportunities from workshops and classes with seasoned cast members to events designed to explore future career paths within the company. “Everyone is so generous with their time and knowledge,” Harness said.

From music to theater, from mentorship to faith, her time at Disney has been a lesson in harmony. The roles she’s taken on may not always come with a conductor’s baton, but they’ve taught her how to set the tempo of her own life as she balances structure and creativity, making space for joy and recognizing the quiet magic that happens behind the scenes.

Emilie Pitcock

For alumna Emilie Pitcock, her dream of working at Walt Disney World didn’t start with a childhood vacation or favorite Disney movie. Instead, she wanted to follow in her mom’s footsteps because she worked at Disneyland when she was young. Beyond that, her interest with DCP started with YouTube.

“I found out about the DCP back in middle school through watching YouTube videos of participants,” she said. “I’d always wanted to work for Disney, and the college program seemed like the perfect opportunity.”

Pitcock is a park greeter at Magic Kingdom where she helps navigate guests’ day from the moment they enter the park to the time they leave. “My role means I’m one of the first and last faces guests see,” she said. “I check admission, help with crowd control during nighttime shows and answer any questions guests might have. My favorite part of the job is working special events like the Halloween and Christmas parties. It’s such a joy helping guests have the best party experience.”

The program is also an immersive professional development experience for Pitcock. “My college experience has really helped me in this role,” she said. “Especially with public speaking. As a music major and someone involved in theatre, I’ve had a lot of experience performing and speaking in front of crowds. That’s been invaluable, especially when using a speaker for crowd control or engaging with guests from all over the world.”

DCP also offers exclusive classes and behind-the-scenes experiences for its participants. “I love the free classes the program offers,” she said. “You can learn from Disney professionals across various departments and gain practical skills like budgeting and cooking. One of my favorite moments was taking a class with Steve Vanini, author of Disney A to Z: The Official Encyclopedia. He shared incredible historical facts about the company. I also took a class with Wyatt Winter, an executive producer who’s worked on attractions like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.”

This October, the program will bring representatives from across the Disney company, including Disney Live Entertainment and Walt Disney Imagineering. “I’m really looking forward to that,” Pitcock said. “It’s a chance to make connections and explore opportunities that align with my long-term career goals.” 

Pitcock takes every opportunity to share her faith when possible. It isn’t unusual for other castmembers to inquire about her plans after the program, so she shares about her desire to support the church as a worship pastor or director. “It sometimes sparks unexpected reactions, especially from those who’ve had negative experiences with Christians. It gives me a chance to show love, compassion and integrity and to represent my faith through actions, not just words.” 

The experience has been remarkable. Pitcock says, “It’s surreal. Getting to live out my dream while learning so much and making a real impact. It’s more than I ever imagined.”