The Bristol Renaissance Faire (BRF) has a variety of opportunities for folke 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.

Some dates to make immediate note of:

The Faire runs 9 weekends / 19 days - Saturdays and Sundays, starting July 11 through Labor Day Weekend, ending Monday, September 7, 2009.

Open auditions are held Saturday, February 28th and Sunday, March 1st, 2009.

Classes and rehearsals run weekends starting May 30th - unless otherwise scheduled by individual Directors.

Every first year performer must also attend one pre-rehearsal costume workshop. You may check back here for updates or, if cast, your Guildemaster or Director will keep you informed.

Not all participants need to audition!

If you want to join one of the Historical Guildes or Friends of Faire, you need not audition. See the contact information below for the Guilde in which you are interested.

If you want to be a Street Character, Variety Performer (juggler, magician, etc.), Kids Kingdom Performer, Dancer, or Musician, you must schedule an audition. See "Performer Audition" information below.

In order to be a member of the Entertainment Cast, you must be at least 16 years of age by the beginning of the Faire season or have either a parent or guardian on the Faire site at all times during show days.

Paid Performance Opportunities:

• Dynamic, "Larger Than Life" Street Characters - Want to be a Dockside Floozy? A Gravedigger? A Foole? We're casting improvisational street performers who roam the streets interacting with the Faire's patrons. This area includes both paid and volunteer performance opportunities.s
• Actor-Combatants for the Fight Cast - Robin Hood, the Evil Sheriff, and their bands perform in the stage and street scenes involving the Robin Hood scenario. Both male and female actor-combatants are encouraged to audition. There are both paid and volunteer performance opportunities in this cast.
• Kids Kingdom Characters - Characters who perform for and with children - both one-on-one and on stage. This area includes both volunteer and paid performance opportunities.
• Musicians - 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 members especially encouraged to audition. Instruments may be provided.
• 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. Troupes or performers with an established act may also audition via videotape or DVD. Please forward promotional materials to the Faire attn: Bob Brinkman.
• 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.
• Stilt/Puppet Performers - Performers to manipulate Body Puppets and to walk stilts throughout the Faire.
• RenQuest - Performers with strong characterization and storytelling ability are encouraged to portray Thoren and his travelers as they race against the Draco Disciples in a struggle for the secrets of good and evil. The roles include both paid and volunteer opportunities.

Volunteer Performance Opportunities:

• Dynamic, "Larger Than Life" Street Characters - Want to be a Dockside Floozy? A Gravedigger? A Foole? We're casting improvisational street performers who roam the streets interacting with the Faire's patrons. This area includes both volunteer and paid performance opportunities.
• Towne Criers / Hail and Well Met! - Performers who act as the official Ambassadors and Greeters to the Faire. This is a volunteer performance opportunity.
• Happy Dancing Peasants - High-energy performers with movement skills to perform in the colorful Bristol Buskin Frolic. Specific dance experience is helpful but not required. Especially seeking Irish Step Dancers. This is a volunteer performance opportunity.
• Actor-Combatants for the Fight Cast - Robin Hood, the Evil Sheriff, and their bands perform in the stage and street scenes involving the Robin Hood scenario. Both male and female actor-combatants are encouraged to audition. There are both paid and volunteer performance opportunities in this cast.
• Kids Kingdom Characters - Characters who perform for and with children - both one-on-one and on stage. This area includes both volunteer and paid performance opportunities.
• Musicians - instrumentalists and vocal musicians. High School Band and Orchestra students encouraged to audition. We can provide period-appropriate instruments. This area includes both volunteer and paid performance opportunities.
• Variety Artists - Jugglers, magicians, sword-swallowers, etc., to play the streets and stages of the Faire. This area includes both volunteer and paid performance opportunities. Troupes or performers with an established act may also audition via videotape or DVD. Please forward promotional materials to the Faire attn: Bob Brinkman.
• 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.
• RenQuest - Performers with strong characterization and storytelling ability are encouraged to portray Thoren and his travelers as they race against the Draco Disciples in a struggle for the secrets of good and evil. The roles include both paid and volunteer opportunities.

Everyone wishing to audition must contact us to schedule a time. Auditions will be held Saturday, February 28th and Sunday, March 1st, 2009. Auditions times are broken into 3 sessions - Saturday beginning at 10:00 and at 2:00 and Sunday at beginning at 2:00.
Before scheduling an audition slot, have the following information ready:

• Preferred time slot - your choices are Saturday morning, Saturday afternoon, or Sunday afternoon.
• Your full name, address, phone and email address.

To schedule an audition or if you have questions about auditioning, e-mail us at brf2009audition@yahoo.com. You may also call the Entertainment Coordinator at 847-395-7773 ext. 231 - however the most effective and efficient manner of contacting us is via email.

Everyone who auditions must have a head-shot (or a recent picture of your face) and a theatrical resume. They will be kept on file, so please do not bring a photo that you cannot leave with us.

Every performer auditioning should be prepared to sing and do acting improvisation exercises. Be prepared to spend up to three hours at the audition location. Note: Your song may be absolutely anything of your choosing - from Happy Birthday to your favorite operatic piece.

Auditions are being held at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center located at 11800 108th Street - Pleasant Prairie, WI - approximately a mile from the Faire on the east side of I-94 adjacent to the outlet mall. Go to http://www.radisson.com/kenoshawi and click on the Directions/Map for details on how to get to the Radisson.

When you enter the hotel, you will see signs in the lobby directing you to audition check in. Please proceed immediately to check in.

Arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your audition slot.

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

Performers will be escorted to see the panel of Directors one at a time in the order in which you signed in. After you present your audition pieces, you may be asked to remain for group exercises. Therefore, it's a good idea not to plan to be anywhere else for the rest of the morning or afternoon you are scheduled to audition.

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.

People auditioning should prepare the following:

• Dynamic, Larger Than Life Street Characters - One comic monologue (contemporary is acceptable, classical is preferred) and one song. Monologues should not exceed 90 seconds and songs must be sung a cappella. Be prepared to do character and improvisation exercises.
• Actor-Combatants for the Fight Cast - One comic monologue, one song, and one prepared fight scene. Monologue should not exceed one minute, songs must be sung a cappella, and fight scenes should not exceed 2 minutes and you will need to provide your own fight partner and weaponry. Contemporary monologues are acceptable, Classical are preferred. Also be prepared do character and improvisation exercises. NOTE: Casting will only be considered for performers who can commit to rehearsing the 5 Sundays prior to opening, and the Monday and Friday before opening day. Performers must also be available to perform all 19 days of the Faire season.
• Towne Criers - One comic monologue, classic or contemporary, no longer than 90 seconds in length. We'd also like to hear a demonstration of your vocal projection skills by having you read aloud from a selection we will provide. Be prepared to sing, do improvisational exercises and movement exercises.
• Happy, Dancing Peasants for the Bristol Buskin Frolic - A demonstration of movement or dance skills, up to one and one half minutes in length and a comic monologue, classic or contemporary, no longer than one minute in length. Be prepared to sing, do improvisational exercises and movement exercises. Prior Renaissance-era or folk-dance experience is not required. 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 cassette or CD. Especially interested in performers with Irish Step Dance experience or a high interest in learning this form of dance.
• Kids Kingdom - One monologue, preferably comic, or one story, within 90 seconds, one song, with an opportunity for a brief showing of skills (juggling, puppetry, etc. if applicable) not to exceed 90 seconds. Those auditioning for Kids Kingdom should be prepared to sing and to do character and improvisation exercises.
• Musicians and Vocalists - One musical piece, not to exceed one and one half minutes, preferably a Renaissance-era piece, and one monologue or story, preferably comic, not to exceed one minute. 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.
• Variety Performers - Variety performers (jugglers, magicians, fire-eaters, etc.) 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.
• Fantastikals - A demonstration of movement or dance skills, up to one and one half minutes in length. If you have any other special skills such as drumming or other forms of music, please also prepare one presentation, not to exceed one and one half minutes. 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 cassette or CD.
• RenQuest - One comic monologue, one song, and one game demonstration. Classic or Contemporary monologues are acceptable and should be no more than 90 seconds in length. Songs must be sung a cappella. 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.

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

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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.

All new cast members become a part of the Faire's training program, the Bristol Academy of Performing Arts (BAPA). Members of the Friends of Faire program do not attend the Entertainment Dept BAPA classes, but are offered specialized classes through the FoF program.

BAPA is taught by a faculty of professional performers, historians, and arts educators. Past instructors have included performance professionals such as:

• 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
• Stef DeWaegeneer - ComedySportz
• T. Stacy Hicks - Milwaukee Repertory Theatre and Milwaukee Shakespeare

Classes may include Street Theatre, Improvisation, Dialects, Customs and Manners, Movement, Country Dance, Juggling, and a variety of Elizabethan History and Performance classes. In conjunction with Faire rehearsals, the BAPA program prepares our cast for performance at the Faire. There is no fee for participation in this program.

BAPA classes are all day on Saturdays beginning June 6, 2009 and run the 5 Saturdays prior to the opening day of the Faire.

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. You simply need to contact the Guildemaster listed and discuss participating.

The Guildes include:

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
• Live to tell the tale

St. Michael's brings the sixteenth century military to life, sharing the adventure, the grit, and the deadly hardware of the renaissance soldier with our audience.

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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.

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Guilde of St. Lawrence - St. Lawrence is the patron saint of Cooks and Comedians. Both can find a place in this Guilde, which focuses on historical cooking demonstrations over an open fire - aka Fun - With Food! The Guilde of St. Lawrence is responsible for operating the food co-op for Bristol participants. Participants and performers represent the rich and earthy peasant and middle class of Elizabethan society.

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  RENQUEST

RenQuest has non-audition openings for participants to aid in the running of the game, tracking of XP, prop runners, and Special FX operators for the Quests.

If you want to join Friends of Faire, you need not audition.

Friends of Faire is open to anyone who enjoys the Bristol Renaissance Faire - Patrons, Merchants, and Performers are all welcome to join. By joining Friends of Faire, you can:

• Learn more about the Elizabethan period, the "Golden Age" of literature, theatre, and the sciences through classes and workshops made available to Friends of Faire members only.
• Enjoy the members-only Friends of Faire Garden, where you can meet your friends, relax, and watch the village go past.
• Improve your knowledge of period costuming, language, and customs.
• Receive a collector's medallion, handbook, discount tickets and many other important benefits.
• Meet some great people.
• Join in members-only group activities such as Faire Day Feasts.

Your Friends of Faire membership includes a variety of benefits designed to enhance your Faire experience. Three membership levels help you enjoy the benefits you want.

Level One - $35

• Collector's pewter membership medallion
• Access to the members-only Friends of Faire Garden, including your own backstage privy! (Huzzah!)
• Discount prices on additional tickets.
• Periodic Newsletter
• Members-only e-mail List Server
• Specialized classes and seminars on Elizabethan history, costuming, dancing, crafts, and more!

Level Two - $65

• Everything in Level One plus...
• Two complimentary adult tickets.
• Two 25% discount coupons for the Renaissance Collection shops.

Level Three - $110

• Everything in Level Two plus...
• Season Parking Pass with designated parking.

Join Friends of Faire today!

For information on Friends of Faire, contact: