Join the Cast of the

2013 Bristol Renaissance Faire!

All Scheduled Times are Full!

See below regarding walk-in availability.

Best Western Harborside Inn & Kenosha Conference Center

5125 6th Ave

Kenosha, WI, 53140

Phone: 262-658-3281

Google Maps: http://goo.gl/maps/UQ0Ww

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, many positions available for volunteers, and a few internship positions for qualified college students. BRF encourages performers of all ethnicities and backgrounds to audition.

Performers should be available for all required 2013 dates:

One pre-rehearsal costume workshop (Date TBA)

Meet & Greet Cast Dinner - Friday, May 31st

Classes & Rehearsals - All Saturdays and Sundays June 1st through June 30th

(Note: Some troupes may require additional rehearsal dates.)

Faire Performance Days - Saturdays, Sundays and Labor Day Monday July 6th through September 2nd

Strike - Dates vary by troupe but fall between September 3rd and September 15th

Auditions times are broken into sessions, as follows:
Sat AM - February 23rd - 8:00am - 11:00pm  (is FULL)
Sat Afternoon - February 23rd - 2:15pm - 6:15pm  (is FULL)

Sat Evening - February 23rd - 7:00pm - 9:00pm  (is FULL)
Sun AM - February 24th - 8:00am - 11:30pm (is FULL)
Sun Afternoon - February 24th - 1:00pm - 3:00pm  (is FULL)

MUSICIANS should audition on Saturday (any session)
FIGHT CAST - You MUST say you are auditioning for the Fight Cast and you must use only the Sun AM session.

If you do not mention that you wish to be considered for the Fight Cast then you will not be considered.

To schedule an audition or if you have questions about auditioning, please e-mail the Assistant Entertainment Coordinator  brf2013auditions@yahoo.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.

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.

TROUPE DESCRIPTIONS:

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 considered for a BBF musician.)

Auditionees should prepare the standard audition requirements.

Commedia ~ At Your Service

Those crazy Italians are back!  Commedia Dell'Arte is the "Original Physical Comedy" featuring timeless characters like bumbling servants, old crotchety geezers and braggart soldiers providing highly visual, larger than life characters that with the help of mask become a living cartoon.  Staged scripted scenes, original songs, and choreographed virtuosic "lazzis" are performed as well as totally spontaneous interactive play in the street.  Actors/Comedians with strong maskwork, circus skills or musical skills are a plus.  Strange obscure special skills also welcome. 

(photo: Ivan Phillips)

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 audience. Both male and female actor-combatants are encouraged to audition, all roles available. Apprenticeship positions available for those with limited stage combat experience.

Auditionees specifically for By the Sword 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.  Unarmed combat is acceptable. Performers must be available to perform all 19 days of the Faire season. You must be at least 18 years old to be cast in By the Sword. 

Bristol Buskin Frolic - Dressed in their most colorful garb, this cast can only be described as the zany life of the party! Found at the Maypole and all over the streets of Bristol, they dance, sing, perform short plays, play games, fawn over the royalty, and most importantly, they JINGLE. **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.

Requirements-
*Tolerance to jingling bells
*Specific dance experience is helpful but not required.
*Choir experience is helpful but not required.
*Specific instrumental experience is helpful but not required.
*Interpersonal skills a MUST. We work as a group and the ability to work well with others is required.

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.

(photo: Irek Sawicki)

Fantastikals - The Fantastikals bring magic, wonder, and surprise to the town of Bristol!  The Queen's visit loosens the boundary of the enchanted realms, and fairies, elves, elementals, and spirit archetypes materialize, their supernatural energy swirling through the town, and manifesting a magical forest right at the heart of everyday Bristol. Humans both young and grown who are gifted with "second sight" (maybe just for this one special day) may find themselves seeing and even communicating with these wordless beings-- be ready for goosebumps!

We are seeking actors with:  strong movement skills,   imagination, love of nature (both earth and human), lots of stamina, positive attitude and team spirit and excitement for a completely unique performance opportunity. 

For your audition (in addition to normal requirements): a 2-minute movement piece: no music, no speech: please show as much variety of movement and emotion as possible while portraying a non-human character in a little story with a beginning, a middle and an end.

*New Cast* Gypsy Dancers
This mysterious group of gypsy dancers and musicians will awe guests of our village with their sultry and interactive music and choreography. Musicians needed: violinist and percussionist. We are looking for six intermediate to advanced level dancers (3 men, 3 women) willing to mix elements of different styles –jazz, ballet, modern and street to create a new style of Gypsy Dance. Please prepare a one minute dance piece in the style you find appropriate as a gypsy dancer.  You are responsible for music –please copy and cue music to a CD or MP3 player.  Also please be prepared to attend a dance audition call back after your general audition.

(photo: Pahz Photography)

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, violin 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.

(photo: W. Cortland)

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 include 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 andimprovisation exercises.

(photo: Kathryn Ryan Illustration & Photography)

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.

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

(photo: Beth Brousil)

HISTORICAL GUILDE DESCRIPTIONS:

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.

(photo: W. Cortland)

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.

(photo: Laura Gardner)

CONTACT INFORMATION:

If you have questions about any of these performance opportunities at the Bristol Renaissance Faire, please feel free to contact the Entertainment Director or the Entertainment Assistant:

WHAT HAPPENS AFTERWARDS?

The Directors will discuss each and every auditionee as a group and determine where your special skills and talents are needed. The Directors look at the needs of their particular group, and the needs of the entire faire as a whole. 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 process.

Please note that you will only receive ONE offer to be part of the cast. If you decline that troupe then you will not be part of the 2013 cast but are welcome to audition in future years.

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
• T. Stacy Hicks - Milwaukee Repertory Theatre and Milwaukee Shakespeare

BAPA classes are all day on Saturdays beginning June 1, 2013 and run the 5 Saturdays prior to the opening day of the Faire.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT BAPA.