Public Art Performers:
“Pete, Head of Security”

Job Title: Lead Performer
Role Title: Pete, Head of Security (heaven’s doorman)
Time status and schedule: Part-time; seasonal; on-call

Job Overview

Boston Public Art Triennial is seeking people to work as paid performers and engagement facilitators for a dynamic, participatory public art project exhibiting across Boston in summer 2026. This performer will serve as a core component of the artwork by assuming the role of a playful bouncer, “Pete, Head of Security,” inspired by historical and popular culture portrayals of Saint Peter at the gates of heaven. The performance will be guided by a scripted framework, but the performer will be invited to add improv elements that incorporate their own personality and background. The ideal candidate is friendly, outgoing, patient, an excellent communicator, and comfortable spending at least 5 hours outside in summer weather. 

About the Artwork

Better Angels, by artist Heather Kapplow, is a participatory public art piece anchored by a sculptural installation. It is composed of a campy array of inflatable clouds and the gates of heaven with a lead performer playing a role inspired by Saint Peter. The project imagines that heaven is close at hand and best accessed by being open and vulnerable about our inspirations and burdens. Through a facilitated engagement at the gates of heaven, visitors reflect on an ideal they strive towards and on what holds them back from achieving it.

Key Behaviors

We are seeking performers who embody the following traits:

• Friendly, approachable

• Great conversationalist

• Empathetic, gentle but firm 

• Open-minded and open-hearted

• Able to think on their feet, can ad lib or improvise comfortably 

• Good at listening and helping people refine their thoughts 

• Excited about performance, public art, and community building 

Primary Responsibilities

• Support set-up and break down of installation and engagement components (primarily involves organizing signage, paperwork, and other materials to be used in the role)

• Facilitate interactions between participants according to a pre-defined script and engagement sequence 

• As the lead performer, assume the role of ambassador for the artist’s vision, the project’s mission, and Boston Public Art Triennial 

• Log anecdotal data from engagements at the end of each shift

Qualifications

We encourage applicants 18 years or older of all backgrounds and lived experiences, race, ethnicity, culture, gender identity, sexuality, socioeconomic status, and physical abilities. 

Additional considerations will be given to candidates with some of the following interests and/or skills:

• Experience in people-facing service industries (e.g., hospitality, caregiving)

• Experience working in theater or performance art pieces that took place in non-traditional venues

• Experience in public, social situations that required prolonged interaction or conversation

• Experience in education and pedagogy 

• Fluency or speaking proficiency in: Spanish, Haitian Creole, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Cape Verdean Creole

Performers who meet the criteria will be invited to a casting call and an interview with the artist, during which they will walk through a script for the interaction. The final selection of performers will be made based on the candidate’s reflection of authenticity, empathy, and on-the-spot thinking. Physical appearance will not be a factor.

As this will be a highly public-facing and participatory public art experience, all project staff must be vaccinated against COVID-19. Candidates must possess work authorization that does not require employer sponsorship for a visa. 

Hours + Shifts

Lead Performer shifts are no more than 5 hours long. Shifts will take place on weekends (Friday–Sunday) between June and October 2026; precise dates for each activation are still to be determined. Days are flexible, dependent on candidate availability. The Triennial is anticipating a minimum of 4 activations, or pop-ups, across the City of Boston during this exhibition period. Dates, locations, and the number of activations are subject to change as this is a mobile public art project; the cast of performers should anticipate on-call opportunities during the exhibition period and will receive 2 weeks of lead time before each activation. 

Compensation

Performers are paid $35/hour in biweekly installments. 

Hiring Timeline

Call-backs and interviews will be held via Zoom and/or in-person from April 27–May 15, 2026. Performers are required to attend paid training sessions and dress rehearsals (the role involves simple costuming) scheduled for the week of May 26–29, 2026. Project staff will also receive a mandatory 2-hour de-escalation training session, led by the DC Peace Team. Additional training and dress rehearsal will occur on-site after the work is installed in June 2026. Exact dates and times to be confirmed.   

How to apply

Interested candidates can apply by sending a resume and cover letter to jobs@thetriennial.org. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. The application closes on April 24, 2026. 

Candidates are strongly encouraged to fill out an anonymous Equity Survey. It is entirely separate from your application and is used to help us improve our intentional efforts to seek out excellent and diverse candidates.

About the Organization

Boston Public Art Triennial fosters relationships between artists and the public to create art that opens minds, conversations, and spaces across the city. From new public art commissions to local artist support, to the next citywide triennial, every experience is an invitation to experience Boston differently. 

We are eager to expand our support of local BIPOC and LGBTQIA performers and strongly encourage those who are hungry to center the experiences and representations of those historically suppressed from public art production and consumption. Please see our full commitment to equity here. We look forward to receiving your application!