Dutch Wonderland Entertainment Crew

Herschend • East Lampeter Township, PA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

Our story began 75 years ago when the Herschend family discovered wonder deep in an Ozark Mountain cave—and chose to share it with the world. Today, Herschend is the largest family-held themed attractions company, with 49 leading attractions and immersive experiences that reach audiences worldwide. While each brand offers something unique, all are united by a shared purpose: Bringing Families Closer Together by Creating Memories Worth Repeating®. Our passionate hosts make this purpose possible through everyday acts of love and service—what we call Heartspitality®—the intersection of heart and hospitality. As an equal-opportunity employer, we strive to provide environments where every host, guest, and partner feel welcome, valued, and loved. We firmly believe that words and actions matter, which is why all individuals are to be treated equally and with respect. Dutch Wonderland is searching for individuals who are interested and motivated to create the most magical and enjoyable experience for our guests through their role in and out of costume. This role will encompass both acting as a park mascot, as well as hosting fun experiences for guests while out of costume. This position will require an audition for certain costumed character roles. We are currently looking for a: Dutch Wonderland Entertainment Crew Roles & Responsibilities: Costume Character: · Delight each guest by providing exceptional customer service, conveying a positive and friendly attitude, and engaging with guests in a fun and exciting manner! · Entertain Park guests by creating fun and immersive character performances · Meet and greet with all guests in a fun, memorable manner · Maintain the illusion of being the character you are representing through physical movement and interactions with guests · Follow all performance procedures and protocols as presented during Dutch Wonderland character training · Execute performances as scripted by Dutch Wonderland · Promptly communicate any safety concerns regarding costume and/or environment you are performing, in a timely manner so they may be addressed before becoming problematic · Respect and care for all assigned costumes – return and properly store, maintain appearance, and spot clean as needed in accordance with park guidelines · Report any costume maintenance needs in a timely manner · Maintain personal hygiene and wear required layers to help maintain shared costumes Entertainment Crew (out of costume) · Lead predesigned activities and engagements for guests · Proactive engagement with guests to encourage participation in planned events and/or activities on-site · Enforce property policies and procedures · Proactively assist in the upkeep and maintenance of a safe, clean, and organized work environment · Project a consistently positive and friendly attitude for our guests · Perform cleaning duties, which includes using approved cleaning chemicals · All other duties assigned by leadership Additional requirements for Duke the Dragon: · Ability to wear a mascot style costume with limited visibility. · Willingness to learn exclusive hand signs to non-verbally communicate with the Handler, while in costume · Must meet the height and weight requirements for proper pre-existing costume fitting.

Requirements

• Ability to read, write, and speak fluent English; Spanish or other bilingual language skills are a plus.
• Must successfully pass an audition and/or character training for this role
• Must be at least 16 years of age to comply with PA Child Labor Laws
• Must be able to obtain a Performance Work Permit, as per PA State Laws
• Ability to work flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays
• Ability to work 20+ hours per week, when needed
• Must have reliable transportation to and from work for your scheduled shift
• Must comply with all grooming standards, uniform and/or costume requirements
• Height should be between 5’5” and 5’10”
• Ability to immerse in role and remain in character throughout the performance
• Must possess strong cardio endurance, physical story-telling abilities, and performance energy
• Must be playful, outgoing, friendly, and convey a positive, guest-centric attitude
• Must possess effective verbal and non-verbal acting and communication skills
• Ability to follow direction, multi-task, and work as part of a fast-paced team
• Ability to stand, walk, and remain on feet for majority of the workday
• Ability to wear assigned costume for extended periods of time
• Ability to frequently stoop, twist, kneel, bend, squat, or reach above shoulders
• Ability to perform in costumes that may have limited sight lines
• Ability to carry, push, pull, lift, and hold objects weighing 40 pounds or more
• Frequent exposure to outdoor and indoor areas of the park
• Frequent exposure to the variable outside temperatures (both in and out of costume), including high heat, cold, direct sun, humidity, dust, rain, snow, ice, and other weather conditions
• Subject to frequent interruptions, constant repetitive motion, high noise levels, flashing lights, and heavily populated environments

Nice To Haves

• Previous acting or costume character experience is desired but not required
• Some level of customer service experience is helpful, but not required.
• Theater for Young Audience and/ or physical theater performance experience helpful, but not required.
• Previous work in youth-centric programs and/ or companies helpful, but not required.

Responsibilities

• Delight each guest by providing exceptional customer service, conveying a positive and friendly attitude, and engaging with guests in a fun and exciting manner!
• Entertain Park guests by creating fun and immersive character performances
• Meet and greet with all guests in a fun, memorable manner
• Maintain the illusion of being the character you are representing through physical movement and interactions with guests
• Follow all performance procedures and protocols as presented during Dutch Wonderland character training
• Execute performances as scripted by Dutch Wonderland
• Promptly communicate any safety concerns regarding costume and/or environment you are performing, in a timely manner so they may be addressed before becoming problematic
• Respect and care for all assigned costumes – return and properly store, maintain appearance, and spot clean as needed in accordance with park guidelines
• Report any costume maintenance needs in a timely manner
• Maintain personal hygiene and wear required layers to help maintain shared costumes
• Lead predesigned activities and engagements for guests
• Proactive engagement with guests to encourage participation in planned events and/or activities on-site
• Enforce property policies and procedures
• Proactively assist in the upkeep and maintenance of a safe, clean, and organized work environment
• Project a consistently positive and friendly attitude for our guests
• Perform cleaning duties, which includes using approved cleaning chemicals
• All other duties assigned by leadership
• Ability to wear a mascot style costume with limited visibility.
• Willingness to learn exclusive hand signs to non-verbally communicate with the Handler, while in costume
• Must meet the height and weight requirements for proper pre-existing costume fitting.

Benefits

• Flexible schedule
• Ability to cross-train and learn unique skills across various departments
• Free admission to Dutch Wonderland and all Palace Entertainment parks on your days off
• Invitations to exclusive company-sponsored employee events throughout the season

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed