Puppeteer, Quadruped

• Acquires knowledge of the Museum and its programs, cultural and scientific concepts by becoming familiar with the Museum’s resources, exhibits, collections, and programs, as well as the Museum’s initiatives and policies in support of inclusion, diversity, equity, and access.

• Performs in Performing Arts programs using/operating some or all of the following: a full-suit puppet, stilts, mask, marionettes, shadow puppets, and other physical theater/puppetry mediums. Perform as an actor outside of the puppet.

• Works under the direction of Manager, Performing Arts to collaborate on the development of new theatrical shows.

• Attends training sessions to learn authentic movement of the relevant animal for which a puppet, mask, or costume will be performed.

• Attends training sessions on Museum research and collections and exhibitions.

• May perform in Performing Arts Programs and/or represent the Museum at outreach events which may occur at the various Museum sites and/or offsite with/for community partners.

• 
  Maintains optimal physical health with a combination of strength, stretch and cardiovascular exercises appropriate to working with the full-suit puppets and the performance of other Museum-inspired characters.

• Assists in the implementation of performing arts educational curriculum.

• Assists other puppeteers with their movement and/or facilitating elements of their operations, as well as stage coordination, and/or light technical support for shows as needed.

• Interacts positively with the visitors while in public spaces of the Museum.

• Collaborates on some of the development and implementation of digital Performing Arts-related content, both live and/or pre-recorded.

• Assists in the preparation, implementation and assessment of the Museum’s performance-based public programming, as requested.

• May run simple tech for shows, such as light and sound board operation. Provides logistical and technical support including stage coordination when needed for specific programs and events.

• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Manager, Performing Arts dependent on organizational needs.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Theater Arts or related field and/or at least 2 years professional experience as a dancer, actor, gymnast, or performing artist with physical and movement-based training. Experience performing in a full-suit puppet preferred. Audition required.

• 2 years experience with educational Performing Arts programming.

• Has ability to learn basic knowledge of the internal mechanisms of assigned puppet costume.

• Strong communication skills. Must be personable with the ability to interact effectively with Museum staff, volunteers, members and visitors. Ability to relate to and communicate easily and effectively with children and adults.

• Must have an interest and capacity to understand and share a range of Museum content.

• Must be available for weekends and evening work.

• A puppeteer must pass a physical examination from a medical doctor provided by the Museum to determine physical capacity to handle the puppet operation and perform as a puppeteer. Physical capacity must be maintained throughout employment.

• Must travel via personal vehicle or public transport to off-site meetings.
• May lift up to 80 lbs. while in puppet.
• Operate a computer using various Microsoft Office, Google Workspace and accounting software
• Requires wearing a puppet costume with internal mechanisms for movements and sound amplification. Extended periods of standing and bending within costume, which may include holding physically challenging positions for lengthy periods of time, ,Costume is created from non-hazardous materials but the operator may not be sensitive to or react to any of the materials used to fabricate the costumes.
• May require stilt walking and light gymnastic activity for some of the Museum characters.
• Puppet T.Rex: 5’11” to 6’3”, Women's shoe size 10-12 or Men's size 10-11. Medium athletic build. Must be able to lift and carry heavy weight, up to 80 pounds, on back in upright standing, bending and crouching positions for limited periods of time. All weight on shoulders and waist. Extremely hot, claustrophobic full suit puppet with limited sight range. Job requires wearing a T.rex costume with internal mechanisms for movement and sound amplification.

• Puppet Quadruped (Sabertooth Cat/Triceratops): Height, 5’1” - 5’7”, Women’s shoe size 6-11 or Men’s size 4-9. Small to medium athletic build. Must be able to carry max 80 pounds on back in a forward leaning position, supported by arm stilts for periods of 20 minutes multiple times a day. Depending on Puppet weight is distributed on wrists, forearms, shoulders and back. Restrictive straps at head, chest, waist, arms and thighs. Parts of the puppet’s movement initiated by performer’s neck and head. Extremely hot, claustrophobic full suit puppet with limited sight range. Puppet has animatronics, with internal mechanisms for movement and sound amplification run by external remote control operator.

• Must be available for weekend work and occasional evening work.
• Regularly working with large groups of public, including children, in an occasionally loud, crowded environment.