Character Interpreter

Department: Programming & Experience - Interpretation

Position Type: Seasonal

Hourly Rate: $16.50

Contract Start Date: April 7, 2025

Contract End Date: October 13, 2025

Hours: 9:30 am to 5:00 pm

What we offer:

• Flexible work arrangements where no one day is similar
• Working in a beautiful park setting
• Free entrance to the Park, including to our many public special events
• Employee discounts on food and retail items and free parking

Who We Are:

Heritage Park is Canada's largest living history museum and offers visitors a chance to experience life in Western Canada from the 1860s to the early 1950s. The Park features historical buildings, costumed interpreters, working antiques, and various exhibits that provide insight into the region's past.

Job Overview:

Under the direction of the Artistic Production Coordinator, working in a team with other Character Interpreters, this role presents historically based vignettes through a variety of theatrical forms, focusing on portraying life in Western Canada from the 1860s to the 1920s. Character Interpreters also provide between-scene interactions and improvisations with guests, with the goal of creating an immersive guest experience. Each performer will be cast in at least two productions, including two “street scene” days (stories presented outdoors in 4 scenes, repeated twice daily). Productions for 2025 include street scenes about 1910 Filmmaking and Funerals, and a musical in the Canmore Opera House set in a 1920s western Chinatown, “Mid-Autumn on Gold Mountain.”

Responsibilities:

Operational Support

• Presents scripted and improvised historically inspired scenes for visitors to Heritage Park while wearing period piece costume
• Improvise in character between scenes to advance storylines while engaging and enlightening guests
• Conduct additional research on the characters, enhancing their portrayal and creating a more captivating experience for the audience
• Provide an exceptional visitor experience through friendly and courteous interactions with guests, staff, and volunteers
• Create a welcoming atmosphere for visitors with a customer-focused approach
• Assist with other interpretive and educational programming as required
• Provide general cleaning and housekeeping of the green room and back-of-house performance spaces
• Perform other duties as required

Required Qualifications:

• Enrollment or completion of post-secondary drama training is an asset
• Prior performance/acting experience is required; experience in performance roles for a minimum of 3 productions is preferred
• Unconventional and interactive theatre experiences (improv, children’s theatre, etc.) are an asset
• Knowledge of western Canadian history, language, and deportment of the pre-1920s era is an asset
• Familiarity with historical interpretation is considered an asset
• Excellent verbal communication and public performance skills
• Well organized, flexible, adaptable with an ability to react and remain in-character
• Demonstrated ability to creatively collaborate with others
• Proven performance skills in acting, excellent verbal communication and public relations skills
• All successful candidates (over the age of 18) will be required to go through a Police Information Check as a condition of employment

Special Clothing and Equipment:

• Appropriate costuming and safety equipment will be provided by Heritage Park
• Footwear, as designated by the Heritage Park Costume Department, will be provided by the employee

Special Working Conditions:

• The position will be exposed to weather extremes as it predominantly works outdoors
• This position is physically demanding, and the incumbent must have the ability to stand for long periods of time and walk throughout the Park for extended periods

Hours of Work:

• Rehearsals are mandatory for all Character Interpreters
• 2025 Rehearsal dates: April 7th to May 16th
• Performances run 7 days a week from May 17 to September 1, 2025 (9:30 am to 5:00 pm)
• Full-time hours are 35 hours a week with two days off. Part-time positions are also available
• Some work is available for performers to continue performing weekends from September 6 to October 13, 2025

Audition Details:

Auditions will be held February 7, 8, and 9th at Heritage Park. The deadline to apply is February 7th, 2025. Selected candidates will have to perform a prepared monologue, a short song, and a cold read. Full details will be sent to candidates selected to audition.

Heritage Park is committed to diverse, inclusive casting. There will be a focus on casting a few roles of Black and Asian descent. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those considered for an audition will be contacted directly.