Kansas City Renfest Apprentice Meeting…..Week Three Strange Facts! Men shake hand to elbow and a pat each other on the back because, during this time, they were checking for weapons! Armored knights raised their visors to identify themselves to their king.. this is where the modern military salute comes from. As artists and traders in medieval cities began to form organizations, they instituted tough initiation ceremonies. For example, journeymen in Bergen, Norway, were shoved down a chimney, thrown three times into the sea, and soundly whipped. Individual & Class Life in Tudor England Basically our thoughts on the Chain of Life is that God would be displeased if we are unhappy or if we rose against our social betters. To speak up against the Chain would essentially put you against your family and the King, which could result in death from treason! To reinforce the Chain of Life, there were Sumptuary Laws. These Laws were designed to keep the classes separate. It didn’t matter how wealthy you were: clothes and fashion indicated status and rank. Violation of the laws could result in loss of title and death. Examples: Everyone wore a hat. In 1493, velvet and satin could only be worn if you were above the rank of Knight. By 1597, most laws were rarely enforced. This "Social Ladder" was made by the King and you never wanted to go against his wishes. Interactions What it does do: Educate Entertain Enhance (stirs up feelings of joy or flattery ) A great interaction does all three! (Ex: Brother William & his flowers) Our festival is one of the best known for our performers’ abilities to play with patrons. Some patrons expect it! Some seek out their favorite characters or stage shows. It’s what sets us apart from most festivals. Our program is designed to run you through as many interactions as we can to prepare you to know your character, talk to people, and entertain a crowd. **WE ARE ALL HOSTS IN THIS FESTIVAL!!!** **ONE OR TWO CHARACTERS DO NOT MAKE UP THE SHOW-IT TAKES A CAST TO MAKE A SHOW!** "THIS IS YOUR SHOW!" Where to start…. With a greeting! "Where have you been, his Majesty is searching for a man in a white shirt,  are you that man?" or "And now I can have a blessed day…you’ve arrived." Reverance! Slip in your character’s name and some tidbits about yourself. Ask them their first name, how far they’ve traveled, if they are ready for a good celebration. **Remember, festivals were very a special time to pray, give thanks, drink, eat, play games and dance…life was hard and food was scarce. You worked hard and then for one certain day of a certain month-you celebrated just as hard. We still do it to this day.** Hopefully, they’ll start talking. But, if not…wish them a merry day and move on. The Body of the Interaction If you have greeted them and they hang with you for about fifteen seconds: YOU’RE IN THE SPOTLIGHT! Market yourself! Are you selling something…offer it! (Dung Dealer) Are you the King and Queen and want to know if they are attending a joust: ask. Are you Dustbin the shoecleaner and want to show your skills: do it! Marketing yourself ends up being a special action we term: Schticking or "working" the crowd. (Ex: Dustbin) ** Schticks are sacred and must not be taken! You might want to barrow qualities of a schtick and twist it for your own but please play nice and ask to borrow from your fellow performer. If not…it leads to petty drama and we are SO above that! ** There are other things you can speak to a person or crowd about. ** Keep it real…don’t compliment on a lie- ANYONE sees through that! ** Pick a girl of "marrying" age and tell her that the Queen should choose her a good husband. Compliment or fancy over jewels or a mug…even food they have. If they are soldiers (dress or a Marine hat), then tell them you are most happy they are guarding the King and thank them. If they need directions, help them out! Remember, this is your town **There are some special patrons of our festival whom we "give names" to. It used to be about six miles long but I have narrowed it down to three: EMPRESS OF MADAGASCAR (woman in a scooter or wheelchair—note : this can also be a man or EMPEROR), Captain (male or female pirate with a hat) and Farmer John (man in jeans and boots). Feel free to make your own special patron and use them in your interactions!** The Departure If they have turned down your offer of whatever good you are selling, thank them and depart with a reverence…possibly letting them know they can always find you in the shire. If they want to spend more time with you (Majesties), then have them walk with you to your next rotation or event. Make sure to reverence one last time and depart. ** What’s fun is seeing those same people later in the day and you can pick up where you left off!** In A Nutshell That’s what an interaction is: a conversation between character and patron with a beginning , middle and end. An interaction can: Educate, Entertain or Enhance a patrons understanding of the scene. All of our cast interacts with patrons! From a simple greeting to a 3 minute conversation, we market ourselves as 16th Century people who are involved in a Harvest Festival that the King is getting married at! 20. MOST IMPORTANTLY: We are hosts of this festival; from beggar to Merchant to Noble, to their Majesties and Fairies alike. We are all a part of a big, beautiful show. Character Surveys:  You should be completed with surveys-please turn them in or Email to me! If you require help, see a mentor, Area Manager, stage manager (scenario) or myself. They should be very detailed – we love gossip but not dark! Please memorize this…it’s a map and a bible of who your character is! All late surveys are due next week…there WILL be sort of a test soon so know your character! Vocabulary:  Learn as many as you can because: They make your speech interesting. Can keep your brain working with new knowledge! We’re going to be learning them throughout our meetings! Accent? Or No Accent? Tricky…do not let them fool you! Remember: it’s all posture and attitude. Speak slower and enunciate your speech…move your mouth more. Find two or three words in the sentences and express the sound of the word differently. It can be making a vowel shorter or longer to trick the patron in believing you are not from Kansas or Missouri. Be prepared! You will have people ask which part of England your are from! We’ll have an academy class (maybe a special guest) later just for accents. Your Fashion-ista Looks! You need a Costume Deadline is July 2nd, meet with Alice on approval for fabric swatches, trims, hats, shoes and beads! Remember: Costume parade is also July 2nd! I am NOT a costume person so Street really needs to talk to Alice. Court, Scenario and Gypsies talk to Jim! Be Thinking About What Kind of Props Your Character Would Own! Mug and/or a Bowl! Would you have utensils? Do you carry a sword and is it peace-tied? Do you have a belt and frog that go with it? Or a belt and strap for carrying your mug or bowl. Shoes are SO important! Protect your feet…even if you are a beggar…please find some rope sandals or tatter some sandals up to protect your feet! Do you need to "weather" your items? If you are a highwaymen, your leather should look well used! If you are a noble…pressed and cleaned. If a gypsy, full of coins and bells! Fairys…full of sprinkles and magic blessings! PROMOS! Another way to market yourself: get people to come see you! Practice your interactions at these promos.. they are a great way to cut your teeth or hang with your mentors to see them in action. Great way to know the group that you’ll be in or the family you’ll be attached to. CARPOOL with one another! (Return to the Apprentice Page) (Home)