Talent agency sends out desperate SOS for teachers, coaches to fill Santa’s big shoes amid WA shortage
WA is in the grip of a desperate Santa shortage, forcing providers to send out an SOS call to teachers or sports coaches licensed to work with children to wear red suits.
With less than three weeks to go until Christmas, talent agency Scene to Believe, which provides most of the Perth mall Santas, said many had withdrawn from the project due to last-minute health issues.
At the same time, demand for Santas at shopping malls and events in Perth has skyrocketed.
“We’ve seen some Santas drop out because they’ve had a hip replacement or knee replacement, so we’re really trying to make that happen right in the middle of the season,” said Viviana Diaz, Scene to Believe’s Santa character manager.
This is not the first time the talent provider has actively tried to recruit teachers or coaches because they already have the control needed to work with children, which can take up to four weeks to complete.
“We can’t wait for this,” Ms. Diaz said. “So we’re trying to target teachers, coaches and people who do that (check out working with kids).
“They may also have availability for the last weeks of December, knowing that they are almost finished (school).
“We’re reaching out to school newsletters. We’re also reaching out to communities, so community centers, Facebook pages, things like that, to really get this out to the right people.”
Ms Diaz said although the agency started the season with a full 60 Santas for WA, it was now missing at least 10.
The agency is also contacting retired Santas who have hung up their suits to try to get them back on their thrones.
Ms Diaz said the pressure was increasing as malls extended their hours and pet photo shoots became increasingly popular.
“We are seeing more people requesting (Santas) for events,” he said. “We’ve noticed an increase in the number of people who actually want to visit Santa this year.”
A few weeks into his first season as Santa Claus, Roger Truslove is enjoying the role despite being asked to pick up extra shifts to make up for the shortfall.
Karrinyup loves seeing children’s faces light up with excitement as she walks through the mall ringing her bell, high-fiving toddlers and taking selfies with teenagers.
The 71-year-old actor said he decided he was ready for a new career after retiring “for the third time”.
Even though wearing the suit was hot and uncomfortable, he said it was hard to describe how enjoyable the job could be.
“I actually almost burst into tears today,” she said. “I had a magical family, a little baby who didn’t cry or scream, it was so happy to be here.
“It is very satisfying to sustain the magic of Christmas for children for as long as possible.
“This is about the parents as much as the kids – making sure the parents are involved and keeping the magic going.”
Brian Horton, 83, who trains potential Santas at Santa school and has played the role himself for a decade, urged others to consider taking on the job of spreading Christmas cheer.
“People have to want to do it,” he said. “Apparently people don’t think about being Santa Claus unless they’re asked.”
