Calling All Lords, Ladies, Pirates and Peasants

Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire to Hold Local Auditions

The Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire, in preparation for its 29th performance season of jousting Knights and Royal delights, is seeking professional and semi-professional actors, independent performers and stage crewmembers to transport patrons back to the 16th century. Auditions are set for January 24 & 25 and February 21 & 22 from 9 A.M. to 6 P.M. on Saturdays and 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. on Sundays in the Mansion at Mount Hope Estate & Winery in northern Lancaster County.

Over 200 actors from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and beyond are expected to attend. Successful auditionees display a commitment that reflects the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire’s mission statement: “Building interactive, magical environments in which to create unique and entertaining experiences for every guest, every time.” Thus, the Faire is looking for highly motivated, fun-loving, creative and talented performers to help bring the magic of the Faire to life.

All cast members, together with a Renaissance village full of guildsmen and artisans, independent musicians, jousters, fire-eaters, sword-swallowers, and the like, perform for hundreds of thousands of patrons annually transporting them back to the 16th century. To accomplish this, all cast members receive extensive training in improvisation, voice, children’s theater, movement, dialect, stage combat, stunts, Shakespeare, character development, and the techniques of interaction.

On January 24 & 25, actors can audition for the full-time, professional Bacchanalian acting company consisting of 35 to 40 experienced male and female actors, singers and dancers of various ages from across the country. The Bacchanalians perform roles as diverse as swashbuckling swordplay shows, Shakespearean dramas, Commedia Del’Arte plays, interactive improvised scenarios and rollicking music and dance all while portraying Elizabethan characters. The Bacchanalian Cast commitment is 17 weeks beginning with six weeks of intensive rehearsals and continuing with a 12-week performance run Saturdays, Sundays and Labor Day Monday with some mid-week school day performances. Strong improvisational and comic skills are preferred and stage combat experience is a plus for actors interested in auditioning for the Bacchanalian Cast. Transportation to and from the train station, airport or bus station for actors coming from out of town is available.

Part-time Blackfryar Company

On February 21 & 22, actors can audition for the apprentice acting company, “The Blackfryars,” which consists of 80 to 100 volunteer members who donate their time to help portray the day to day members of a working Tudor village. Their skills vary between first time acting experience to people who have full time jobs outside of the Faire, such as doctors, dentists and teachers, who really want to stretch their acting muscles and get involved with some extra-curricular theatrical fun. The Blackfryars begin their training in late April and attend rehearsals and workshops on Saturday mornings and Wednesday evenings. Performances are Saturdays, Sundays and Labor Day Monday throughout the 12-week performance run. Blackfryar auditionees must be 15 years of age or older, and have the desire to work and learn in a
professional theater environment. While some theatrical experience is preferred, it is not required.

Independent Entertainers

Auditioning independent Renaissance-styled or period stage acts or musical groups should be prepared to perform a three to five minute representation of their stage show on the day of the audition. They can also submit any promotional materials, DVDs, videos, or CDs of their work to 2775 Lebanon Road, Manheim, PA 17545 in care of the Entertainment Department.

The Greyfryar Stage Crew is an apprentice company consisting of stage managers, rehearsal assistants, props crews, stagehands and seamstresses with a desire to participate. Greyfryars learn the basics of stage care and show management with an emphasis on historically-themed outdoor theater.

Introducing the Goldfryars

New for the 2009 performance season, the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire is introducing the Goldfryars, an important part of the apprentice acting company. The Goldfryars are strolling characters who roam the streets of the Shire selling food and beverages, as well as pass out programs, to Fairegoers. These are paid positions that start at minimum wage and are commensurate with experience. Interested actors, independent performers and vendors may schedule an audition time and Greyfryar applicants an interview time by calling (717) 665-7021, ext. 135, Monday through Friday 9AM to 4PM.
All auditionees should bring a headshot and resume and prepare a brief monologue and an acapella song. Call backs will be held the same day. Additional information may be found at www.PaRenFaire.com. Mount Hope Estate and the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire are located on Route 72, ½ mile south of PA Turnpike exit 266, 15 miles north of Lancaster and 14 miles east of Hershey.

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Improvisational acting is a true test of any performer's entertainment ability and is the highlighted skill in the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire's search for the professional and semi-professional cast members for the 2009 season. Professional acting auditions are set for January 24 & 25 and semi-professional acting auditions are set for February 21 & 22 in the Mansion at Mount Hope Estate & Winery in northern Lancaster county.

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Professional and semi-professional actors demonstrate their improvisational and comic skills during the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire's 2009 auditions. Professional acting auditions are set for January 24 & 25 and semi-professional acting auditions are set for February 21 & 22 in the Mansion at Mount Hope Estate & Winery in northern Lancaster county. Auditionees may call 717-665-7021 ext. 135 to set up an audition time.

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January 24 & 25 and February 21 & 22 have been set as the audition dates for the professional and semi-professional cast members for the 2009 Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire. Auditions include a classic monologue and improv game call-back's. Auditionees may call 717-665-7021 ext. 135 to set up an audition time.

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