So you want to work at the Renaissance Festival? This column is the finale of a two part series on the wonderful world of Renaissance Festival Employment. The first installment described the stalwart staff of the Crafts, Foodservice, and Gaming divisions. Today we take on the Prima Donnas; The Entertainers. Are you a show-off? Do you like playing dress-up? Are… Continue reading So You Want to Work at a Renaissance Festival, part two
Tag: Renaissance Faire
So You Want to Work at a Renaissance Festival, part one
For my second outing as guest writer for the amazing Rhonni D’s blog, I thought I’d answer yet another question that I hear frequently in my life as a touring Renaissance Festival professional People often ask me how they should go about “running away and joining the circus” that is the Renaissance Festival. I am… Continue reading So You Want to Work at a Renaissance Festival, part one
Park Design Considerations, When Vendors are Also Investors
While I believe it differs little from a shopping mall lease agreement, the agreement between Vendors and Renaissance Festival Management involves the Vendor building and maintaining a structure on the Festival’s property, then paying a show fee to vend from that building during the event. (Mall leases involve Lessors paying for their own “build-out”; then… Continue reading Park Design Considerations, When Vendors are Also Investors
Profitability Through Play
The other night I was channel surfing and paused briefly on ‘Rawhide’, an old black & white weekly western series. Wishbone was servin’ up the grub. Rowdy, Scarlet, Mister Favor, the whole gang was sitting around the campfire, eating beans off of metal plates and soaking up the sunset. I was there with them,… Continue reading Profitability Through Play
Building Improv Chops as a Street Character
Renaissance Faires differ from other festivals and events in that they promise to transport visitors to a completely different time and place. That’s a mighty big promise. And every participant—volunteer or paid, mead wench or jouster, carpenter or manager, ticket seller or royal piper—is responsible for helping to keep it. Yet one group in particular,… Continue reading Building Improv Chops as a Street Character
Thrift Shop Parody: Renaissance Festival by Julian Bemi
Okay, no business advice this week, other than “Utilize your resources when they are available.” As nomads in the festival business, each show can have a specific circle of talented neighbors. Here is a great example of just that in action. Our friend Julia, with some help from friends, put together this Fabulous parody video… Continue reading Thrift Shop Parody: Renaissance Festival by Julian Bemi
10 Most Common & Ridiculous Questions Asked of Ren Fest Entertainers
Hi there I’m Ronn Bauman. For the past 24 years I’ve been the louder, longer-haired, more sexually ambiguous third of the original Tortuga Twins comedy trio. I know that’s a bit confusing but when I tell you that there’s actually SIX Tortuga Twins now – all sensibility just flutters out the window. Our hostess, the… Continue reading 10 Most Common & Ridiculous Questions Asked of Ren Fest Entertainers
The 9 Most Common Problems in the Renaissance Faire Building Industry
AKA, The Harsh Conversation I had with a Young Carpenter. The dynamics of the Vendor/Builder/Festival Management matrix are complex, and there are many places where the deal can go wrong for one or more of the parties. All three legs must be considered for this table to stand. On the one hand, talented carpenters get… Continue reading The 9 Most Common Problems in the Renaissance Faire Building Industry
How to Grow a Festival, Part Two
In part one of this conversation, I mentioned that because a festival is an experience, it is the responsibility of the participants at a festival to help create real growth. But what about those shows where the participants are doing everything they can, but the Festival Management drops the ball? It happens. Someone doesn’t order… Continue reading How to Grow a Festival, Part Two
How to Grow a Festival (part one)
What is it that makes festivals work? We like to throw the responsibility onto the Promotions and Marketing Departments, but a festival is an experience. Real growth in a festival is the responsibility of everyone involved. A couple of business truisms should be considered here: 1. It is easier to sell to existing customers. However… Continue reading How to Grow a Festival (part one)