Seasonal Experience Performer at FAO Schwarz in New York, NY

Join us for the Holiday Season!

Compensation: $19/hr plus commission
Union Status: Non-Union
Employment Type: Seasonal Part-Time with the ability to transfer to a core role in January

The Role

FAO Schwarz is seeking charismatic performers to bring our immersive retail experiences to life at our iconic New York City flagship at 30 Rock.

With multiple interactive experiences throughout the store, our Experience Performers step into playful, theatrical worlds where storytelling, character, improvisation, hospitality, and retail come together.

Depending on the experience, performers may become stylists, artists, inventors, chefs, explorers, experts, or entirely original characters. The world may change, but the goal remains the same: make the guest feel like they’ve stepped into something they couldn’t experience anywhere else.

This is not a traditional retail role, and it’s also not traditional stage performance. Experience Performers interact directly with guests, improvise in the moment, tell stories, demonstrate products, guide hands-on activities, and create memorable moments while delivering exceptional hospitality and driving sales.

The Experience

FAO Schwarz is home to a growing collection of immersive, interactive retail experiences.

Each experience has its own world, character, costume, story, and guest journey. Performers bring those elements together, transforming what could be a simple retail transaction into an engaging theatrical experience.

Every interaction is different because every guest becomes part of the story.

Responsibilities

• Perform in character throughout immersive guest experiences.
• Bring different characters, stories, and experiential concepts to life.
• Improvise naturally and confidently with children and adults.
• Use storytelling, humor, conversation, and play to engage guests.
• Guide guests through interactive activities, demonstrations, and product selections.
• Adapt performances to different guest personalities, ages, energy levels, and pacing.
• Learn and maintain character direction, scripts, product knowledge, and experience standards.
• Create spontaneous, memorable moments while keeping the core experience consistent.
• Deliver exceptional hospitality and premium guest service.
• Use established selling techniques to generate strong sales.
• Maintain energy and theatricality throughout repeated guest interactions.

Requirements

Ideal Candidates

We're looking for performers with experience in areas such as:

• Interactive or immersive theatre
• Children's theatre
• Theme parks
• Character performance
• Immersive entertainment
• Comedy or improv
• Experiential hospitality

Retail experience is welcome, but not required.

We're Especially Interested In

• Strong improvisational ability
• Character range and versatility
• Excellent people skills
• Warm, energetic personalities
• Confident vocal presence
• Strong comedic and conversational instincts
• Ability to create connections quickly
• Comfort engaging guests of all ages
• Ability to take direction and adapt character choices
• Ability to sustain energy across repeated interactions
• Performers who can make a structured experience feel spontaneous, personal, and new for every guest

Benefits

• $19.00/hr + Commission (Annual salary estimated based on average hours worked)
• Employee discounts
• Telehealth
• Pre-Tax Commuter Benefits
• Retirement Plan (401k + Match)
• Time-and-a-half pay for Holidays worked
• Paid + Unpaid sick time

This job description should not be construed to contain every function/responsibility that may be required to be performed by this role. Employees are required to perform other related functions as assigned.

FAO Schwarz is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, military or veteran status, arrest or conviction record, predisposing genetic characteristics, status as a victim of domestic violence, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.