Join the Cast of the

2012 Bristol Renaissance Faire!

Our 25th Anniversary Season!

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Important Dates

Scheduling An Audition

Audition Location

What to expect at Auditions

Are You Interested In...

Performing in a Troupe

Performing in a Historical Guilde

Contact Information

What Happens After Auditions

Bristol Academy of Performing Arts (BAPA)

The Bristol Renaissance Faire (BRF) has a variety of opportunities for people with a wide range of performance experience and skills. There are some paid positions available for experienced performers and many positions available for volunteers. BRF encourages performers of all ethnicities and backgrounds to audition.

SCHEDULING AN AUDITION:

Auditions times are broken into sessions, as follows:
Sat AM - February 25th - 8:00 am - 12:30 pm
Sat Afternoon - February 25th - 1:30 - 5:00 pm  (is now FULL)

Sat Evening - February 25th - 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Sun AM - February 26th - 8:00 am - 12:30 pm
Sun Afternoon - February 26th - 1:30 - 3:30 pm

MUSICIANS should audition on Saturday (any session)
FIGHT CAST - must use only the Sun AM session and 12:30 pm group session.

To schedule an audition or if you have questions about auditioning, please e-mail the Assistant Entertainment Coordinator

BRFauditions2012@renfair.com WITH ALL THE ABOVE REQUIRED INFORMATION. You may also call us at 847-395-7773 ext. 231 - however the most effective and efficient manner of contacting us is via email as we are not in the office on a regular schedule.

a head-shot (or a recent picture of your face)

a performance resume

a copy of your photo identification

We will keep these items for our files, so you MUST bring a copy of the ID to leave with us.

• Every performer auditioning should be prepared to sing 16 bars of any song from Happy Birthday, your favorite opera or anything in between. All performers will sing at some time during the faire day, usually as a group. Please do not let this stop you from auditioning.
• Every performer must recite a memorized monologue no longer than 45 seconds (preferably from a stage play).
• Every performer must also be prepared to participate in acting improvisation exercises.
• Be prepared to spend up to three hours at the audition location.
• If you should receive a call back, call backs will be held on Sunday, Feb. 26th.

AUDITION LOCATION:

The Radisson Hotel & Conference Center

11800 108th Street

Pleasant Prairie, WI, 53158

WHAT TO EXPECT AT AUDITIONS:

When you arrive, you will sign in and hand over your resume, head-shot, and copy of your photo identification. All those auditioning are directed to a general waiting room where you may warm up. Please be considerate of your fellow performers.

If your warm-up includes singing or running through a choreographed fight, you will be directed to a space to prepare - it may be out of doors. The Bristol Renaissance Faire is an outdoor theatrical venue, so it's never too early to get used to it!

Note: Please do not bring in any food or beverages other than bottled water.

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN...:

PERFORMING in a TROUPE:

By the Sword (aka The Fight Cast) - Noble heroes and nefarious villains bring explosive street fights, scripted and improvised street scenes, and one on one interactions to the the audience. Both male and female actor-combatants are encouraged to audition.

Auditionees should prepare one choreographed fight scene in addition to the standard audition requirements.  You will need to provide your own fight partner and stage appropriate weaponry for the audition. Also be prepared do character and improvisation exercises. Performers must be available to perform all 19 days of the Faire season. NOTE: Auditions for this group will only take place Sunday Feb 26th. You must be at least 18 years old to be cast in By the Sword. 

Bristol Buskin Frolic, the Happy, Dancing Life of the Party - High-energy locals of Bristol dressed in their most festive garb, setting out to celebrate the arrival of the queen with Dancing, Singing, Music, Games, Mummers plays, Parades, Merriment, Debauchery, etc.  Especially seeking Irish Step Dancers and musicians to play Renaissance country dances. We are seeking characters who love to sing, dance, frolic and play all day. Specific dance experience is helpful but not required. These are volunteer performance opportunities.

Auditionees should prepare a demonstration of movement or dance skills, up to one minute in length in addition to the standard audition requirements.  A boom-box will be available should you wish to bring pre-recorded musical accompaniment for movement/dance audition purposes. You will need to bring your own music CD. Especially interested in performers with Irish Step Dance experience or a high interest in learning this form of dance.

Fantastikals - Performers with strong movement skills to portray the fae and ethereal fairie-denizens of the shire. This area includes both volunteer and paid performance opportunities. If you have any other special skills such as drumming or other forms of music, please also prepare one presentation, not to exceed one minute. Be prepared to sing and do improvisational exercises, either alone or in a group. A boom-box will be available should you wish to bring pre-recorded musical accompaniment for movement/dance audition purposes. You will need to bring your own music CD.

Kids Kingdom - Rediscover your inner child!  Find your home in Kids’ Kingdom where children teach you as much as you have to teach them.  Bring a storybook character to life before a child’s brightening and wondering eyes, while leading treasure hunts, performing on stage, teaching games, and preparing for the Knighting Ceremony. This area includes both volunteer and paid performance opportunities.

Musicians and Vocalists - Seeking both instrumentalists and vocal musicians. Especially seeking musicians who play recorder and other Renaissance instruments. This area includes both volunteer and paid performance opportunities. High School Band and Orchestra students encouraged to audition. Instruments may be provided.

Auditionees should prepare one musical piece, not to exceed one and one half minutes, preferably a Renaissance-era piece in addition to the standard audition requirements.  Musicians, instrumental and vocal, may be asked to sight-read. Instrumentalists should be prepared to sing and all musicians should be prepared to do some acting improvisation exercises.  NOTE: Auditions for this group will be held on Saturday.

RenQuest™ - Performers with strong characterization and storytelling ability and game/role playing experience are encouraged to portray Thoren and his gypsy band as they race against the Draco Disciples in a struggle of good and evil. The roles includes mostly volunteer opportunities.

Auditionees should prepare one game demonstration in addition to the standard audition requirements. The game demonstration should explain any game in less than two minutes (anything from Hangman to Risk to World of Warcraft). Please note that this should be done in some sort of character. Those auditioning for RenQuest™ should be prepared to do character and improvisation exercises.

Street Cast - The Bristol Street Cast is a home for fun, dynamic individuals looking to bring a character to life on the streets of Bristol. You will work with your Director and your fellow cast-mates to create and inhabit one of the many interesting and offbeat people living in the port-town Bristol. Bring the fun and excitement of a day at the Faire directly to your audience. Characters in the Street Cast mostly operate solo, but you've always got a whole village there to support you. Prior performing experience not necessarily needed; if you enjoy meeting and talking to interesting people, then Street Cast might be the place for you. Create an original character! Meet new people! Talk to them!  We're also looking for performers to manipulate Body Puppets and to walk stilts throughout the Faire.

Towne Criers - Performers who act as the official Ambassadors and Greeters to the Faire. These improvisational street performers have an exceptional ability to be heard across Bristol with a single bellow.

Standard audition requirements apply.  We'd also like to hear a demonstration of your vocal projection skills by having you read aloud from a selection we will provide.

General audition for interest in more than one group - If you are interested in more than one group, you can do a general audition. Make sure you include anything for a specific group (like bring an instrument if you wish to be in music or BBF musician.)

Auditionees should prepare the standard audition requirements.

Variety Artists - Jugglers, magicians, sword-swallowers, etc., to play the streets and/or the stages of the Faire. This area includes both volunteer and paid performance opportunities.

Auditionees should prepare a demonstration of their skills, preferably with patter, up to three minutes. In addition, variety performers may be asked to participate in group improvisation exercises. Troupes or performers with an established act may also audition via videotape or DVD. Please forward promotional materials to the Faire attn: Kristen Mansour.  kmansour@renfair.com

PERFORMING in a HISTORICAL GUILDE:

The Guildes at BRF focus on entertaining our patrons through a theatrical re-creation of the history of Renaissance England.

If you want to join one of the Historical Guildes, you need not audition, but are welcome to do so.

Please contact the guildemaster of your choice if you wish to participate without auditioning. Click here for the contact list.

Guilde of St. George - (The Court of Queen Elizabeth) In portraying the Court of Queen Elizabeth Tudor, the Guilde of St. George seeks to bring you into the Elizabethan Renaissance, a time of great splendor, royal intrigue and a greater appreciation of the arts. Many of the persons portrayed lived and left their mark during the reign of Queen Elizabeth - as her Privy Councillors, Maids of Honor, high-ranking peers and household. Some held positions of high influence; others were barely noticed by Her Grace. Nevertheless, each makes a significant contribution to the Court.

Standard audition requirements apply.

Guilde of St. Michael - (English Military Guilde) Be one of the few, the proud, the Guilde of St. Michael! You can: wear armour, swing a sword, wield a twelve foot pike, shoot a matchlock musket, loose a longbow, look dashing and live to tell the tale! Although the Guilde has historical re-enactment as its vehicle, entertainment of the Faire patrons is the primary objective. All ranks of the Elizabethan military are represented and all aspects are shown through demonstrations, pageantry, weaponry, and "recruitment" of patrons throughout the day.   Visit their website: www.gsmbristol.org

Standard audition requirements apply.

Guilde of St. Lawrence - (Cooking Guilde/English Middle Class) The Guilde of St. Lawrence portrays the common citizens of Bristol - citizens who live and work at the Dirty Duck Inn. At the Inn we live the history of England, preparing meals as the Faire's food co-op, interactively demonstrating the daily life of the middle and lower classes, and bringing the outside visitor into our world. We sing, we dance, we play. We cook, we work, we feast. Ultimately, we celebrate the arrival of Queen Elizabeth to Bristol and we share our joy at her arrival with Bristol's visitors. Visit their website: www.guilde-of-st-lawrence.com

Standard audition requirements apply.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

If you have questions about any of these performance opportunities at the Bristol Renaissance Faire, please feel free to contact the following people:

WHAT HAPPENS AFTERWARDS?

You will be contacted within two weeks with a casting decision. If you are cast, you will receive a package of information in the mail that will guide you into the rehearsal and class attendance process.

BAPA

• Ann-Elizabeth Shapera - Municipal Jester for the City of Milwaukee / Jane the Phoole
• Brian Posen - Columbia College Improv Instructor, Producer of Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival and Improv Coach for the Steppenwolf
• Marcy Kearns - Milwaukee Shakespeare
• Mary B. Kababik - Professional Actress / Queen Elizabeth I
• T. Stacy Hicks - Milwaukee Repertory Theatre and Milwaukee Shakespeare

BAPA classes are all day on Saturdays beginning June 2, 2012 and run the 5 Saturdays prior to the opening day of the Faire.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT BAPA.