The Renaissance festivals are held in the United States.Arts and crafts, Renaissance food, jousting and plays can be found at fairs.There are many places to work at a Renaissance festival.You can be employed in concessions, selling food or merchandise, or as a member of a guild.If this sounds exciting to you, you might want to consider working at a Renaissance festival.
Step 1: Local or state Renaissance festivals can be researched.
Do you already have a Renaissance festival that you would like to attend, or do you need to do some research?Once you decide that you want to work at a Renaissance fair it is important to start researching potential festivals.You need to start looking at at least six to eight months before the festival if you want to be hired.The internet can be used to find local or state Renaissance fairs.Look for employment opportunities on their website.You can apply for certain jobs directly from the website.It is a good idea to attend the festival orientation before applying.
Step 2: Attend the orientation.
Once you find your festival, this is the first thing you need to do.The orientation will allow you to get your foot in the door and begin to figure out what you want to do.You will be given an overview of the Renaissance festival at the orientation, where you will discover what employment opportunities are available.This is a good way to find out if you want to work at the Renaissance festival.You need to figure out what type of work you should be doing.A list of guilds and a description of job requirements will be included in the pre-faire presentation.More specific costumes and dialogue may be required by guilds.
Step 3: The Renaissance festival has a job posting board.
If you don't know where the job board is, ask one of the facilitations at the orientation for directions.You will be able to make an informed decision if you understand the orientation.If you apply for a job, you will be good at it.
Step 4: If you want an entry-level job, sign up.
You can work at a concession booth, games and rides, or in the kitchen.The booth owner is sometimes independent of the festival.You have to find the owner and fill out an application.If you want to get a job at a Renaissance fair, you need to fill out more than one application.It is possible to work for concessions if you have previous customer service experience.You should be asked to perform well in a high pressure environment because you will be dealing with crowds and money all day.Entry level jobs pay an hourly wage.
Step 5: You have to sign up for a guild.
If you have acting talent, you may want to work as a performing artist.If you are a musician and a dancer, sign up for the dance guild.The Irish guild, the peasant guild and the court guild are examples of other guilds.
Step 6: Being an artisan is something to consider.
If you currently woodwork as a hobby, you can turn that into a full time career.At a Renaissance fair, you could get into leather working, clothing design, glass blowing, and welding.To show them you are capable, you need to produce some of your own work.The downside to being an artisan is that you don't have a boss, you can work your own hours, sell your crafts to people at the fair, and enjoy your hobby while making money.Your costs will be high and you don't have a safety net.You will be stuck if no one buys anything you sell.There isn't an hourly wage for artisans.
Step 7: Find a job during the week.
Even if you don't land any of the jobs that you applied for, you may still be able to find some work by going to the fair and making connections.If you want to help out at the festival, you should talk to the artisans that you would like to work with.It is not hard to find work if you are productive.Basic work such as bookkeeping or security can be done by you.
Step 8: Go to an interview.
You may have to try out for a part at a Renaissance trade fair.If you are applying for a job, you need to make sure you have prepared something that shows you're a good fit.You can sign up with as many guilds as you want, but you need to make sure they don't overlap.You are not guaranteed to get an appointment.You could get an interview to work in the kitchen, for games and rides, or cleaning.You should bring a resume with you if that is the case.
Step 9: Determine which workshops you need to attend.
All new Renaissance festival employees will be required to attend a language and costume workshop, as well as other workshops, such as "Songs of the Times," "Beginning acting," or "Meet and greet."
Step 10: The language workshop is for beginners.
Basic Elizabethan speech is required when working at a Renaissance trade fair.Employees are required to learn Elizabethan speech.Even if you are working in the kitchen, there is a chance that you will interact with someone at the fair.You need to be able to speak in an Elizabethan dialect.Elizabethan English was the type of English that was spoken during the Elizabethan period.Shakespeare used this type of English.There are 24 letters instead of 26.
Step 11: There is a costume workshop.
The status of the individual was reflected in the dress worn during the Renaissance time period.A peasant would dress differently than a noble person.You have to dress according to the part you play at the fair.If you work in the kitchen you need to wear period appropriate clothing on the way to and from your post.
Step 12: You need to get your costume approved.
You need to provide your own costume at most Renaissance fairs.If you want to work at a Renaissance fair, you need to have your costume inspected by your employer.They will determine if it is appropriate for you to wear.Make sure you ask for help if your employer doesn't approve your costume.They should give it to you.Make sure the instructions are clear so that you are prepared next time.