Costumed Character Suit Operation
Technical Certificate · 16 credit hours · 1 semesters · Division of Fiber, Textile and Personal Appearance
Full-body character suit performance for mascot, theme park, and promotional engagement. Silent performance technique, sightline management within limited-vision headpieces, thermal load and hydration protocol, handler coordination, and guest interaction standards.
A heat tolerance screening is required prior to the third week and is conducted by Student Health Services at no charge. Students who do not pass the screening may not advance to suit work until cleared; an alternative assignment within FTX 130 is available during that period. The screening is not a medical examination and does not constitute a fitness-for-duty determination.
Suit cleaning is assessed per term and is published in the Schedule of Charges. Students are responsible for interior liner laundering between sessions. The program handbook specifies liner material and care instructions; liners are not interchangeable between students.
Curriculum
| Course | Title | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| TEX 160 | Character Suit Performance | 4 | 1 |
| TEX 165 | Thermal Load and Hydration Protocol | 3 | 1 |
| TEX 170 | Silent Performance and Guest Interaction | 3 | 1 |
| TEX 175 | Handler Coordination and Safety | 3 | 1 |
| TEX 180 | Suit Care and Maintenance | 3 | 1 |
Graduates
The thermal protocol is not optional and the program treats it that way. I have watched performers from other backgrounds go down. The ones from here rotate out on schedule and finish the season.
Curt Bellamy, ’26 — Character performer, regional theme park
Facilities and instruction
Instruction is delivered in the facilities of the Division of Fiber, Textile and Personal Appearance. Additional photographs are collected at Campus photographs.
programs/costumed-character-suit-operation · Bellweather College of Applied Technology