Kennywood - Performance Supervisor (Holiday Lights)

0911 Festival Fun Parks, LLC; West Mifflin (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible schedule

Cross-train and learn across depts.

Free park admission for you and guests

Exclusive employee events

Job summary

Kennywood in Pennsylvania seeks a Performance Supervisor for Holiday Lights to lead and coordinate costumed events, delivering outstanding guest satisfaction while upholding safety and brand standards.

You will supervise a team of actors and makeup artists, manage scheduling, training, and discipline, and collaborate across departments to create festive experiences for guests.

Qualifications

• Degree in theatre/fine arts or related field preferred but not required.
• 1+ year of acting or character performing experience desired but not required.

Responsibilities

• Lead and direct team members to provide joyful and realistic character performances that meet event standards.
• Supervise daily operations of the Performance team and other departments as assigned.
• Assist with scheduling, hiring, onboarding, training, and discipline; ensure safety and policy compliance.
• Fill in as swing/understudy; work across departments and with vendors when needed.
• Train performers on holiday acting techniques and safety protocols.
• Participate in holiday setup/cleanup and inventory tasks.
• Monitor events to identify hazards and escalate issues to park authorities.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Guest service

Team supervision

Multitasking

Education

Theatre or Fine Arts degree

Job description

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 over 40 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. Kennywood is a National Historic Landmark with over 125 years of experience in fun! Kennywood has an unmatched mix of more than 40 modern attractions and one-of-a-kind classic rides, including eight roller coasters, a Kiddieland with pint-sized thrills for the little ones, and more. Kennywood's rich history spans generations of good times and extends beyond the traditional summer season with popular Halloween and Holiday events.

Kennywood - Performance Supervisor (Holiday Lights)

Roles & Responsibilities

The Performance Supervisor assists with ensuring that all costumed events are successfully executed to deliver outstanding guest satisfaction. This position focuses on leading and directing team members to provide joyful and realistic character performances that meet the set standards and intent of the event. Duties of this position include, but are not limited to, managing a team of actors and make-up artists, supervising, monitoring, and assisting with various park attractions, as needed.

Supervisory Duties

• Supervise the daily operations of the Performance team and any other assigned departments
• Lead by example, attitude, and as a representation of Kennywood's core values
• Act as an approachable mentor and coach to all assigned team members
• Ensure compliance with company and industry best practices, policies, and procedures to create a safe and productive environment for colleagues and guests.
• Become knowledgeable of performing the essential duties of all performance-related positions and backfill these positions when needed
• Participate in all aspects of supervision of assigned employees, including hiring, orientation, training, performance coaching, and discipline
• Comply with all federal and state labor laws (e.g. Child Labor laws)
• Assist with team scheduling and timekeeping activities
• All other duties assigned by leadership

Departmental Duties

• Delight each guest by providing exceptional customer service, conveying a positive and friendly attitude, and engaging with guests in a fun and exciting manner!
• Monitor team members during performance time to ensure that their costumes and make-up is suitable for the event
• Fill in as a swing and/or understudy learning multiple tracks. Work cross-departmentally and with outside vendors. Assisting with choreographer or director.
• Be creative and look for fun opportunities to deliver holiday joy to guests
• Train a team of actors on holiday acting techniques and safety protocols
• Help with any holiday set up & clean up, including inventory, mopping, sweeping, deep cleaning, etc.
• Continuously monitor the event to identify any potential threats or hazards; elevate any issues to the proper park authorities in a timely manner

Language

Ability to read, write, and speak fluent English; Spanish or other bilingual language skills are a plus.

Education and Experience

• Degree in theatre/fine Arts or a related field preferred but not required
• 1+ year of previous acting or character performing experience desired but not required

Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years of age Must be able to sing harmonies and dance at an intermediate level. Ability to read sheet music preferred. Minimum 2 years in a leadership role or relevant experience. Previous theatrical experience preferred.
• 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
• 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

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, and remain on feet for majority of the workday
• Ability to remain seated for extended periods of time
• Ability to perform in costumes that may have limited sight lines
• Ability to frequently stoop, twist, kneel, bend, squat, or reach above shoulders
• Ability to carry, push, pull, lift, and hold objects weighing 40 pounds or more

Working Conditions

• Frequent exposure to outdoor and indoor areas of the park
• Subject to extreme cold temperatures and wind chill
• 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

Team member benefits

Working at Kennywood is about making people happy. It's about being independent and having fun, making new friends and earning extra money while doing so. As a Kennywood employee, you can be the smiling face that greets incoming guests, a cook that makes things happen in the kitchen or a ride operator that keeps people entertained and safe.

Kennywood Perks & Benefits

• Flexible schedule
• Ability to cross-train and learn unique skills across various departments
• Free admission to Kennywood and other parks on your days off
• Invited to exclusive employee events throughout the season

We've got great jobs for people just starting out in the workforce, looking for a second job or staying active after retirement. If you want a fun, flexible job with an innovative company, look no further than Kennywood. We're not just in the attractions business; we're in the people business—and that starts with our own. Our 20,000+ hosts across North America are the heartbeat of our diverse and growing company. In keeping with our company values, we nurture a balance between work and family, strive to promote 70% from within and support each host’s efforts to develop a fulfilling and rewarding career.