The L.A. Job of the Week

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County seeks Performance Artists to work with our Education and Exhibits department. The Performance Artist is responsible for creating and presenting imaginative, performance-based programming inspired by the Museum's halls, exhibits and collections. Performance Artists work collaboratively with interpretive staff and the Performance Art Staff to create and present content for the Dinosaur Encounters program, performing as the puppet operator during Dinosaur Encounters shows. Performance Artists work with the Performance Artist Program Manager, Manager of Informal Learning, and other Education staff to create and present performance and movement-based content for the Discovery Center, special events, Museum programs and activities and school groups. Performance Artists interact with Museum guests and are expected to maintain a friendly, approachable and inspiring demeanor at all times. This position has the following requirements: "¢ 3-5 years as a dancer, actor or performance artist. "¢ 3-5 years of physical and movement based training. "¢ 1-3 years of theatre training, including improvisation skills and performance development "¢ Audition required. "¢ Height and lifting requirements based on puppet- T-REX: 5'10" to 6'0", men's shoe size 8-10, women's shoe size 10-12. Medium athletic build. Must be able to lift and carry 75 lbs on back in upright standing, bending and crouching positions. All weight on shoulders and waist. Extremely hot, claustrophobic full suit puppet with limited sight range. SMILODON: 5'0" to 5'3", Women's shoe size 6-8, Men's size 4-6. Small to medium athletic build. Carry 65 pounds on back in a crawling position, supported by hand stilts. Weight distributed on wrists, 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. "¢ Requires wearing a T-Rex or Smilodon costume with internal mechanisms for movement and sound amplification. "¢ Extended periods of standing and bending within costume; holding physically challenging positions for lengthy periods of time. "¢ Stilt walking and light gymnastic activity required for some of the museum characters. "¢ Work schedule may include weekends and some evenings. "¢ Performance Artists must pass a physical examination from a medical doctor provided by the Museum "¢ Willingness and ability to learn about dinosaurs and how we find out about when dinosaurs lived, how they moved and behaved to create authentic character studies for the Dinosaur Encounters program. "¢ Willingness to assimilate and creatively interpret content from NHM's exhibits, collections and halls, and collaborate with museum interpretive staff and education department policies to create performance based programming. "¢ Ability to interact with the public while in costume or out of costume. "¢ Experience in education preferred. "¢ Completion of a physical is required prior to beginning employment. Salary is commensurate with experience. This is a part time, temporary, non-exempt, overtime eligible position. Review of applications begins immediately and continues until position is filled. The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Please, No Phone Calls.