|
Crossing over from attendee to performer at a Renaissance Fair is fun and potentially rewarding. However, getting your first few gigs can be a very daunting experience. Here are some simple rules of thumb to help you on your way.
1) Create a researched and unique persona.
It’s not enough to put together some authentic-looking garb and head to the show. You also need to do research to create a character. An easy way to start this is to work from your own persona. Where were your ancestors during the time of the Renaissance? What professions were available to them, and which of these would interest you?
Secondly, go for something unique to give yourself an edge over more traditional choices. While the Renaissance certainly had its share of knights and ladies, there were also mercenaries, alchemists, farmers, shopkeepers, sailors, musicians and a wide range of other professions available. So long as your research defends the choice, and you can back it up with costuming and performance that rings true, you can most certainly do something unique.
2) You are your own demo package.
To get a traditional booking, you put together a demo package, which tells a hiring party what your act is like, and what kind of audience you’ll do well with. For a Renaissance Fair, you – your appearance, your costuming, and your attitude – are your demo package.
You can add some good photos, as well as some testimonials from other people who have hired you, to make your pitch more professional. But for the most part, these hires happen from face to face meetings, and from making a good impression.
3) Confirm the contact.
Before you make your pitch, make sure you’ve got the right person on the hook. Many Fairs are not as well-organized as you might hope, and you don’t want to spend your time pitching someone who doesn’t really have the power to get you the gig.
4) Polite persistence pays.
Once you’ve made your pitch, you may need to call to follow up. Just because you haven’t heard does not mean that they don’t want to give you the gig. They may have misplaced your contact materials or forgotten to call you back. Follow up and make sure, rather than assume the worst. You’ll also impress the contact people that you are serious about your intentions, and not likely to behave unprofessionally.
5) Be realistic. Don’t expect to make much money right away.
Your negotiating power is minimal as a first-time performer. So even though your costuming and travel will cost you some money out of your pocket, don’t expect to make it back from the Fair on your first event. First impressions last, and your goal here is to become known as easy and profitable to work with. Later on, as you become established (and hopefully, well liked by your fellow performers), you can successfully negotiate to recoup your expenses.
6) Treat the staff well.
Many performers bring a haughty attitude to the staff at venues, and it’s just a bad idea. Managers will frequently ask staff – and that includes everyone, right down to the janitors - for their opinion on specific performers. Everything from professionalism to manners to how well they interacted with the crowd will be assessed, and as that’s all opinion, you need the staff on your side. Make the staff your friend, and you are much more likely to be invited back.
7) Have fun, and more importantly, be fun.
Fairs can be hot and sweaty work, and if your garb is truly authentic, it’s easy to get overheated and let your discomfort infect your performance. In moments like this, you need to stay in character and remember that you are doing something you love... even if it’s not all peaches and cream.
8) Flexibility is a plus.
While it’s good to come in with a game plan, it’s very possible that the Fair will have a specific need for another role. Just as in any kind of performance industry, politics can be the difference between getting the gig and staying home. Keep your ears – and options – open.
| 
