Christmastown Costume Characters + Sesame Street Safari of Fun Costume Characters

Sea World•Tampa, FL

11d•$16•Onsite

About The Position

This seasonal Busch Gardens position performs as a Costume Character, Character Escort, and live mic host for Christmastown and Sesame Street Safari of Fun. The role includes performing in stage offerings, storytimes, meet-and-greets, and special events, and representing the park with a positive attitude, high energy, and commitment to quality guest service. Performers may be assigned multiple characters and must be able to perform all characters within their height range. The position also involves facilitating interactions between characters and guests, sharing directions and park information, and completing pre- and post-show backstage duties. Character training and rehearsals may be part of the role. Performers must follow safety and procedural directions, execute stage direction and show content as directed, maintain character integrity, and accept and adapt to performance feedback. Work locations and schedules depend on business needs. The role requires working indoors and outdoors in varying weather, including extreme heat, and may involve exposure to fumes, dust, odors, and temperature extremes. Duties may include cleaning with chemicals and physical activity such as prolonged standing and walking, climbing or ascending heights if needed, kneeling, squatting, bending, reaching overhead, and lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying up to 50 pounds.

Requirements

Be 18 years old or older.
Have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Be within the height range of 4’11” to 6’2” and have a slender, athletic build.
Have a personable, animated, fun, and outgoing personality.
Strong ability to communicate with guests on mic and strong verbal communication skills.
Ability to perform outdoors in Florida weather while wearing a full-body costume, and to work indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions and temperature extremes.
Demonstrated strong costume and escorting skills.
Ability to work varying shifts or hours based on park hours, including opening and closing shifts and after-hours rehearsals.
Ability to move and dance in full costume consistent with creative intent and maintain character integrity.
Willingness to participate in regular internal performance assessments.
Ability to positively interact with guests and coworkers of all ages, backgrounds, languages, and people with special needs.
Ability to stand, walk, and/or sit for prolonged periods.
Ability to lift, push, pull, and/or carry up to 50 pounds.
Ability to climb or ascend heights if needed, kneel, squat, bend from floor to waist and waist to overhead, reach overhead, and perform simple grasping and fine hand manipulation tasks.
Ability to work a flexible schedule based on business needs, including opening, mid-, and closing shifts, nights, weekends, and holidays.
Ability to be flexible in work locations based on business needs and career development opportunities.
Must participate in an in-person audition at a predetermined time; audition requirements may include dance, movement, script memorization, role playing, comedic improvisation, and miming.
Must wear form-fitting dance attire for the audition and have a headshot and resume ready.

Nice To Haves

Previous costume character and/or dance experience.
Previous guest experience in a high-volume capacity.
Previous experience in dance, theater, athletics, or other performance arts.

Responsibilities

Embody assigned characters’ childlike innocence, enthusiasm, and mannerisms.
Represent Busch Gardens with a positive attitude, high energy, and commitment to quality.
Perform as a Costume Character, Character Escort, and live mic host.
Perform in stage offerings, storytimes, meet-and-greets, and special events as assigned.
Perform assigned characters and all characters within the performer’s height range.
Facilitate interaction and communication between characters and guests, provide directions and park information, entertain guests, and perform on live mic as an expert character escort.
Assist with character training and rehearsals when needed.
Accept performance feedback and critique and adapt accordingly.
Complete pre- and post-show backstage duties according to the daily schedule.
Follow safety and procedural directions and execute stage direction and show content as directed by leadership.
Maintain a positive and flexible attitude and interact positively with guests, employees, and others.
Perform cleaning duties, including using cleaning chemicals.
Perform other duties as assigned.