Character Interpreter
Department: Programming & Experience - Interpretation
Position Type: Seasonal
Application Deadline: March 5, 2026
Contract Start Date: April 6, 2026
Contract End Date: October 12, 2026
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 form, focusing on portraying life in Western Canada 1860s-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 three productions including two “street scene” days (stories presented outdoors in 4 scenes, repeated twice daily). Productions for 2026 include street scenes about a Town General Strike and the Confectionary/Drugstore business. There is also a 35 minute coal mining musical melodrama in the Canmore Opera House. Synopsis: Joe is determined to start a union, but Sir Bolton wants to bury that cause, and him, in the mine.
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, using polite greetings, actively acknowledging guests, and handling situations positively
- Create a welcoming atmosphere for visitors with a customer-focused approach, providing courteous and friendly answers to inquiries and valuable information to enhance the overall visitor experience
- 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
- Contribute to inspiring and immersive experiences at the Park through your roles and responsibilities by engaging in Heritage Park initiatives that align with the overall mission and vision of the Park
- Demonstrate commitment to workplace health and safety by complying with Heritage Park's Health, Safety and Environment Management System (HSEMS), following safe work practices, reporting work-related incidents, injuries and hazards, participating in employer training, and adhering policies including the Code of Conduct and the Workplace Violence and Harassment policy
- Actively support a positive work environment by creating an atmosphere of inclusion, engagement and fulfillment in line with Heritage Park values
- Demonstrate responsible stewardship of our people, collections and financial assets by ensuring that they are handled with integrity, sustainability, and a focus on long-term benefits for the organization and its stakeholders
Required Qualifications:
- Enrolment or completion 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, and the ability to imaginatively develop and physically project a character
- All successful candidates (over the age of 18) will be required to go through Police Information Check as a condition of employment.
Special Clothing and Equipment:
- Appropriate costuming and safety equipment will be provided by Heritage Park; and
- 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; and
- 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.
- 2026 Rehearsal dates: April 6th to May 15th.
- Performances run daily from May 16th, 2026 to September 7th, 2026 (9:30am to 5:00pm).
- The work week is 35 hours a week with two consecutive days off. Part-time positions are also available.
- There is an option for performers to continue performing weekends from September 11 to October 12, 2026.
Audition Details:
- Deadline to apply is March 5th, 2026.
- Auditions will be held on March 7th and 8th at Heritage Park.
- 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 descent. We thank all applicants for their interest; however only those considered for an audition will be contacted directly.
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