Universal Orlando Resort believes in-person collaboration is key to our success. Many of our Team Members work in a hybrid capacity, contributing from the workplace a minimum of three days per week. Some remote opportunities are available within specific departments. There are also roles that require being on-site full time. You’ll learn more about this during the application process.

JOB SUMMARY: The Puppet Specialist, in alignment with the Show Direction Team, is responsible for the management and supervision of the Entertainment Division’s Puppeteering program. Will be involved in the puppeteering coordination, protocols, and techniques for rehearsals, workshops, and the daily operations. Will oversee the maintenance and procurement of all puppets on property, conduct Puppetry workshops, assist Show Direction with puppeteering aspects of auditions, manage puppet inventory, purchasing, and align with the technical team on maintenance, while serving as the point person for all divisional puppeteering related usage, needs, issues, or concerns. Works in tandem with Show Direction to provide puppeteering feedback and instruction to all puppeteers regarding performer safety both on and off set

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Initiates and manages various action items or processes relating to the Puppeteering roles and venues across property. Supports Entertainment Operations Show Direction and Management, Talent Booking and Casting, Projects, and Events to ensure full coordination, planning, and execution of all puppeteering related shows and atmosphere offerings, meet and greets, events, activities, and performances. Partners with necessary departments to ensure all performance materials, training manuals, SOP’s, and all puppeteering related documents are accurate, updated, and properly tracked.
• Provides puppeteering specific feedback to performers and/ or show direction and venue management based on set observations. Helps to maintain show quality while motivating puppeteers to peak performance. Makes decisions on weather calls and safety calls, as needed with venue management, and show direction. Will also monitor sets as needed to ensure that performers are using, handling, and performing sets safely in costume and will coach/ document as necessary.
• Help facilitate the routine repair, replacement, and maintenance of all puppets on property. Partners with managers to ensure the necessary inventory needs are always in stock. Coordinates the overall puppet distribution from prep, delivery, and restock of puppet pieces and parts as needed by the various departments. Acts as the divisional point person for puppet vendors coordinating all equipment orders and deliveries in accordance with venue needs.
• Coordinates and oversees the puppet specific portions of the audition process which includes internal and external auditions, event and/or projects auditions, and any other audition related items. Offers informed puppeteering casting recommendations to Show Directors in accordance with current guidelines. Maintaining a global calendar for venue, project, and casting puppeteering needs to develop a big picture of usage.
• Facilitates and conducts venue or project specific puppeteer training. Assist in the preparation and execution of Puppet related events, projects, rehearsals, training, and workshops. This includes, organizing and interviewing puppeteer trainer candidates along with show direction, providing feedback and coaching, ensuring they have the proper training and sign offs for their role, as well as providing general instructions for their daily activities.
• Run all aspects of the puppeteering workshops and related development programs from scheduling the space, arranging the class itinerary, and partnering with all areas of the division to determine when they are needed. Preparing overall puppeteering program correspondence within the Entertainment Division including organizing and providing all necessary workshop sign-up sheets, flyers, etc.
• Understands and actively participates in Environmental, Health & Safety responsibilities by following established UO policy, procedures, training and team member involvement activities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree in Puppetry preferred.

EXPERIENCE:

• 3+ years of experience within the entertainment or theme park industry in a leadership role preferred.
• 2+ years of experience performing as a puppeteer is ideal, but not required;
• or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Your talent, skills and experience will be rewarded with a competitive compensation package.

Universal is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Universal Orlando via-email, the Internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written Statement of Work in place for this position from Universal Orlando HR/Recruitment will be deemed the sole property of Universal Orlando. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Universal Orlando as a result of the referral or through other means.

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