====================================================== Getting Involved at the Renaissance Pleasure Faire (v.1.3) ====================================================== UPDATED: 1998 dates for RPFN, Presenters of the Past So, you've been to one of the California Renaissance Pleasure Faires (RPFN=North, RPFS=South) -- or another Faire owned by Renaissance Entertainment Corp, Inc. (REC). And you've enjoyed yourself as a paying customer, and you'd like to get "more involved," somehow -- even if you're not quite sure what that means yet. ----------------------- SEASONAL NOTE: RPFS will open April 25th, which means if you're new, it's a bit late to get involved at this point. RPFN will be earlier this year than in recent years, so be ready to jump in as the time gets close! Registration day will be June 27th. ----------------------- So, OK. What can you do? Who do you talk to? And how do you get started? First, here are your options. There are basically five ways you can be involved with Faire: (1) As a performer, actor, participant, or guild member (there are various names for this role); (2) As a booth worker ("boothie") or other paid worker; (3) As a "pass the hat" performer; (4) Through the Education Department (the Living History Centre ), and (5) Through "Friends of Faire" (or whatever they are called these days). (1) Performers. Performers, participants, or actors (the most common names) are the 1000 or so people who come every weekend in costume and, well, *participate.* We are kind of a hybrid between volunteers and paid performers. In general, you can count on having to provide (at your own expense) your own food, costume, transportation, and shelter (you may be able to camp on site for a fee). You must also pay a fee (a total of $10 to $30) to attend training workshops for about three weekends before Faire. In return, you don't (generally) get money, but if you fulfill the requirements, you will be issued a Gate Pass - - which gets you (and only you) unlimited free admission to Faire. In some guilds you also get a free lunch; in any group you have lots of fun, learn a lot, make friends, and so forth. Many people think that's not a bad deal. In fact so many that there are always more applicants than places. Performers must choose a specific guild or performing troupe to join during workshop weekends before Faire; you'll get more information on them then. (2) Paying jobs (booths etc.). There are paying jobs available with various booth owners, and also some jobs working for the Faire itself (security guards, etc.). These jobs range from part-time to full-time on Faire weekends, and pay rates vary, but most leave you some time to enjoy the Faire, too. As a "boothie" you often must take some workshops and meet some costume requirements; this varies, depending on who you're working for. Some booth owners require additional workshops or trainings. Applications for booth and Faire jobs happen during the workshop weekends before Faire (mostly, but not entirely, the first weekend). (3) "Pass the hat" performers. "Pass the hat" performers are individuals or small groups who set up in the street, perform, and set out (or pass) a hat asking for money. To do this, you have to get a "Pass the hat" license from the Performing Arts Department (PAD), which requires an audition. You must be entertaining, competent, and appropriate to the historical period; also, PAD controls the number of licenses they issue, so as not to out-compete other aspects of Faire. (4) Presenters of the Past This independent educational organization contracts with Faire to run certain activities each year. They are always looking for folks to help out as Docents (tour guides for small groups of handicapped visitors), interpreters for the Deaf (those folks who stand off to the right of the shows and wave their hands around), folks to help out at the Brass Rubbings booth (showing folks how to do... ah... *brass rubbings*!), Rounders (if it happens), and Mistress Miranda's Traditional School (teaching traditional crafts to anyone who's interested). It's possible to earn a gate pass for the run of Faire, and other possible benefits (workshops for free, possible camping and parking passes, etc.) by working with PofP. For details, contact Linda Underhill (unfortunately I don't have her contact info at the moment). (5) Friends of Faire This is a membership organization that you can join at various levels, starting at about $20, and upward from there. Some of the higher $$$ levels include a "Fairever Card," which is a season ticket. As a "Friend" you have a place to hang out (the Friends' Garden), and you can volunteer to serve on various committees, such as Construction, "Meet and Greet," Hospitality, etc. As a committee member you may also have an opportunity to earn a gate pass, if you make a commitment to work a certain number of days during Faire, and if you meet some costume and workshop requirements. (There's much more to say about each of these, of course; I've tried to keep this short, while giving the absolute bare essentials.) For RPFS, which happens in late spring / early summer, contact REC West at 909-880-6211 extension 248, sometime around late February. Also, save your weekends, starting with the 4th weekend in March, which is usually Registration Day and the beginning of workshops. (Check this date when you call.) For RPFN, which happens in late summer /early fall, call 1-800-52FAIRE for information. In either case, tell them what option you're interested in -- Apprentice Registration materials if you want to be a performer, or job information, "Pass the Hat" information, or Friends of Faire information -- and they can generally refer you to the right person and/or mail you a packet of stuff. ====================================================== NOTE: this information has been checked with informed sources and is as accurate as possible, but since it's not official, I can't guarantee its complete accuracy. *Things change.* If you need The Definitive Answer, please get it directly from Faire headquarters staff. İİİİİİİİİİİİ Copyright 1998 Chris Laning İİİİİİİİİİİİİİİ ___________________________________________________________ O "Mistress Christian," a.k.a. Chris Laning | + Davis, California ___________________________________________________________