Internationally-renowned children's entertainment show seeks experienced puppet movement director / choreographer to assist director in remounting for a new tour.

Puppet Director Job Description:

The Puppet Director will focus on breathing life into the 8 featured hand operated puppets, plus a variety of other puppeteered props and scenic elements in the show. The Puppet Director helps guide the puppeteers utilise and operate the puppets to the fullest extent, making them the most expressive they can be. This person supports the Remount Director with a focus on ensuring the puppeteers bring the puppet characters to life in nuanced and dynamic ways, whilst ensuring the puppeteers can deliver the show in an ergonomic and repeatable way, so as to avoid injury.

Duties include:
- Work with the puppeteers to bring the puppets to life, enable them to bring the best out of the puppet/s and themselves.
- Work closely with the Remount Director to ensure their vision is realised.
- Be the Remount Director+rsquo;s extra set of eyes and ears focused on the puppetry work during rehearsals.
- Guide the puppeteers in safe ways to physically work with their puppets.
- Work with the puppeteers to develop their characters through the puppets.
- Troubleshoot any unexpected puppetry problems that arise unique to the local cast.
- Work with the Puppet Wrangler/s to ensure puppets are fitted or adjusted appropriately,
and as needed to the local cast.
- Run parallel puppet-focused rehearsals when needed.
- Taking notes during rehearsals.

Required Skills:
- Skilled puppeteer with many years+rsquo; experience
- Experience in direction of puppeteers
- Understanding of puppet design and creation
- Understanding of puppeteering best practice, with a focus on safe and ergonomic operation, and touring show repeatability so as to avoid injury
- Experience in developing puppeteers+rsquo; skills, particularly those with less experience
- Experience working in musical theater staging would be an advantage
- Problem solving skills
- Strong attention to detail
- Organised
- Team player

Dates: 25 Aug - 22 Sep onsite during rehearsals in Los Angeles and first few shows. Will include some preparatory work in advance

Compensation: $15,000 flat, plus travel and accommodation costs as required.