Job Title: Lead Creative Technologist (XR/Live Performance)
Production: New Work at The Juilliard School
Location: NYC (On-site required for rehearsals/show)
The Role
We are seeking a Lead XR Developer for an upcoming multimedia production premiering at The Juilliard School in Spring 2027. This is a hands-on technical lead role responsible for the integration and programming of a “phygital” play where human actors interact with digital avatars.
The Collaboration
You will work alongside a Visual Designer (who will provide the 3D character models and environments) and the Director. Your role is to bring these assets to life using motion capture data recorded during rehearsals.
The Core Deliverable: The “Digital Stage Manager”
You will architect and build a Show Control Interface. This custom dashboard will allow the stage management team to trigger specific animation sequences, dialogue, and environmental shifts (e.g., “Avatar Walk to Chair,” “Avatar Sit”) in real-time, functioning exactly like a sound or light cue.
Contract Timeline (Fall 2026 – Spring 2027)
- Pre-Production (Sept 2026): Remote. Codebase setup (Unity/Unreal) and “Alpha” build of the Show Control Interface.
- Rehearsals (Oct – Dec 2026): Hybrid/On-site.
- Mocap Sessions: On-site recording of actors’ final blocking.
- Pipeline: Cleaning and retargeting this motion data onto the provided 3D avatar meshes.
- Production Build (Jan – Feb 2027): Remote.
- Asset Integration: Importing final models and textures from the Visual Designer.
- Logic Implementation: Finalizing the Show Controller to ensure all cues trigger correctly. The Show Controller system will serve as the framework you use in Jan/Feb to integrate and test the assets remotely before arriving on-site.
- Tech & Premiere (March 2027): On-site (NYC).
- Final Integration: Iterative testing of cue timing with the live cast in the theater.
- The Run: Technical support and troubleshooting for the premiere run.
Key Responsibilities
- System Architecture: Manage the project build, ensuring 60fps stability for live output.
- Asset Integration: Import and configure 3D assets provided by the Visual Designer.
- Mocap Pipeline: Handle the recording, cleaning, and retargeting of motion capture data.
- Show Control: Implement OSC/MIDI triggering logic so the digital world stays in sync with the physical performance.
Qualifications
- Professional experience with [Unity/Unreal] Animation State Machines.
- Experience with Motion Capture pipelines (cleaning raw data, retargeting to humanoid rigs).
- Experience with Open Sound Control (OSC) or networked show control systems.
- Note: Character modeling/sculpting skills are NOT required for this role.
Compensation
$10,000 Professional Project Fee.
- This fee serves as a stipend for the residency period (Sept–March), covering all development time and on-site support.
- Includes credit in all Juilliard programs and press materials.
To Apply
Send portfolio and resume to Justhopevr@gmail.com.