Originally from Houston, Texas, Juan’s home base is in Orlando, Florida. Currently, he is working as a Talent Booking Director at Disney Live Entertainment. Recently he worked as a Show Director for Universal Studios Japan in Osaka, Japan. Juan Cantú works as a director, writer, actor and singer. He has directed for Universal Studios Japan (Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Malevo de Argentina, Halloween Horror Nights, Power of Pop: Crystal Christmas), Disney (American Music Machine), Viking Cruise Lines, Sea World Orlando (Generation Nature LIVE), Busch Gardens Tampa and Mad Cow Theatre (Avenue Q, Ain't Misbehavin'). He has written a few award winning musicals that premiered at the Orlando Fringe Festival including: “Bless Me Father, For I Have Danced,” and the all Latinx adaptation, “El Wiz.” He also worked as Creative Director for Mertz Productions creating entertainment for Viking Ocean Cruises.
As a performer, Juan previously appeared in “Tarzan Rocks!” and “Finding Nemo the Musical” at Walt Disney World. Juan stayed busy in the studio where he has recorded vocals for Disney shows and parades, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean as well as various television jingles. In Las Vegas, he was in “Starlight Express,” at the Las Vegas Hilton, "Hot Stuff," at the Golden Nugget and sang at the Motown Cafe with the Motown Moments at the New York, New York Hotel. He has written songs for many national projects including the “Miss America Show Us Your Shoes Parade,” The Philly Thanksgiving Parade, The Ocean City Theatre Company, The Cherry Blossom Parade in D.C., Disney and Universal Studios Japan.
To use my talent and skills to provide an authentic, inclusive guest experience in entertainment. Over eight years of proven professional experience creating and directing live and virtual experiences. I draw upon my artistic, creative, and organizational skills to lead teams in creating and maintaining a dynamic product. I create a rewarding work environment with an authentic perspective on creating for BIPOC and other diverse and underrepresented actors and audiences. Diversity, inclusion, respect and trust are of utmost importance.
SHOW DIRECTOR, UNIVERSAL STUDIOS JAPAN, OSAKA, JAPAN - 2018 - 2021 International creative development and directing shows. Collaborated with Production Teams, Designers, Artists, Music Director, Writers, Choreographers, Talent Casting Director, Clients and Producers.
Ensured ongoing show quality was maintained. Partnered with operations team to set show quality standards. Led Show Captains and Stage Managers in best practices for managing foreign cast.
CREATED SHOWS
New York Christmas Wish (Multi-cultural cast)
New offering TBA- WWoHP Premiering 2022 (~$2Million budget)
Mr. Flying Hats (Italian national, communicated in Spanish and French)
Power of Pop: UK Edition (Black, Latinx, Asian cast)
New Years Eve Countdown Show 2019 (Black, Asian community cast)
Power of Pop: Unlimited (Black, Latinx, Asian cast)
Festa de Halloween 2021 (Black, Asian cast of 20)
Universal Wonderland Halloween
Malevo de Argentina (Argentinian cast)
Zombeats
Power of Pop: Crystal Christmas (Black, Latinx, Asian cast)
Halloween Horror Nights: Zombie de Dance - Witches Night Time Show (All Asian cast)
MAINTENANCE SHOWS
Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Wand Studies
Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Conductor
Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Frog Choir (Diverse cast)
CREATIVE DIRECTOR, MERTZ PRODUCTIONS, ORLANDO, FL - 2015 - 2018
Casting and maintenance directing for Viking Cruise Lines shows. *Cruise Critics Awards for Best Entertainment
“La Peregrina”
“Songscape”
“ABBA”
“Song & Dance”
Development, creation and writing for:
“Les Artistes de Paris” - Top rated show on fleet 2017.
“Along The Way”
SHOW DIRECTOR, DISNEY CREATIVE ENTERTAINMENT/DISNEY EVENT GROUP, FL - 2014 - 2018
Concept development, Writing, Casting, Directing:
Holidays Around The World – Mexico – EPCOT 2015 - 2017 (Mexican and Mexican-American cast)
American Music Machine - EPCOT 2015-2017
Party for the Senses, Yelloween, and Rockin’Burger Block Party. - EPCOT 2015
4th of July Private Event
Amway Welcome Party (~4000 guests)
Executive Networking Event Univision New Year’s Eve filming Disney Cruise Lines rewrite for “Once Upon A Song”
SHOW DIRECTOR, SEA WORLD PARKS AND ENTERTAINMENT, ORLANDO, FL - 2015
Directing, Staging, Script Revisions for “Generation Nature LIVE” starring Bindi Irwin at 3 parks across the U.S.
THEATRICAL DIRECTOR, MAD COW THEATRE — 2015 - 2016
• “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” - 2015
• “Avenue Q,” - 2016
CREATIVE WRITER, THE IMAGINATION HOUSE, ORLANDO, FL - 2015
Brainstorming, Concepts, Treatment Writing, Presenting for various entertainment concepts.
CREATIVE WRITER, SEA WORLD PARK AND ENTERTAINMENT, SAN DIEGO, CA - 2015
Brainstorming, Concepts, Treatment Writing, for Hispanic entertainment concept.
DIRECTOR - YOW DANCE, ORLANDO, FL - 2014
Directing, writing and casting of original musical “Bless Me Father, For I Have Danced.” (Winner of 7 Orlando Fringe Festival Awards including Best in Venue. Nominated for Best Direction).
SPANISH PRODUCER, HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HARCOURT, 2013-2014
Voice Over recordings for California market Algebra program project in Spanish.
COMPOSER/LYRICIST, JOHN BEST PRODUCTIONS, ORLANDO, FL - 2013-2014
Composing and vocal arranging for various national and televised events including the “Miss America’s Show Us Your Shoes Parade,” and the “Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade.”
FACILITATOR/PRESENTER - DISNEY UNIVERSITY, LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL – 2014
Disney “Traditions” Facilitator for the 2014 team, facilitating to all new cast members in English and Spanish.
DIRECTOR, MISS ORLANDO SCHOLARSHIP PAGEANT 2009-2012
Production Director and State Preparation; Event planning, Production, music production, script writing, stage design, wardrobe, costuming, interview training, talent preparation.
SESSION SINGER - 2000-PRESENT
Recording session singer; Sight-reading, musicality, knowledge of all musical styles
ACTOR/SINGER/VOCAL CAPTAIN, WALT DISNEY WORLD, FL - 1999 - 2015
Vocal Captain for “Finding Nemo the Musical,” Principal singer in “Tarzan Rocks!” (Animal Kingdom); “Vybe,” “Voices of Liberty” (EPCOT); “Dapper Dans,” “Spirit of Aloha,” “Hoop Dee Doo Revue” (Magic Kingdom); “Hunchback of Notre Dame” (Hollywood Studios)
SHOW CAPTAIN, MOTOWN CAFE, LAS VEGAS, NV 1997 - 1999
Auditions, casting, teaching music and choreography, scheduling talent.
SINGING/DANCING/ACTING/SKATING, TROIKA, LAS VEGAS, NV 1996-1997
Broadway’s “Starlight Express” production on roller skates.
TELEVISION SHOW HOST, 1983-1984
Talk show host for kids, by kids, called “Houston Kidtalk.”
EDUCATION
Landmark Education, Orlando, Florida — Advanced Course, Self-Expression and Leadership - 2002 Houston International Theatre School - Musical Theatre - 1987-1992
High School for Performing Arts, Houston, TX 1989
SKILLS
CREATIVE: Creative Writing, Stage Performance, Musical Theatre, Technical Theatre, Puppetry, Skating, Dance, Music;
LANGUAGE: Native Spanish, Conversational French, Beginner/Int. Japanese;
SOFTWARE: Microsoft Office, script writing software, LogicPro X, Pro Tools, Finale
REFERRALS
Mark Huffman - Creative Director
Disneyland Paris/Disney Creative Entertainment
Mark.Huffman@disney.com
Dan Perez - Director of Creative Ent.
Universal Parks & Resorts
daniel_perez@usjc.co.jp