Playtron or Rennie

[Merlin]

What is the actual definition of a playtron and a rennie?

What am I? (I know....freak isn't one of the options)

I have dressed as many different versions of Merlin and understand that some may not consider Merlin or any wizard to be actual "Renaissance" period. I also sport the kilt during the Scottish festival weekend at the faire. I saw a Sand Trooper last year.... not renaissance but still pretty cool.

I enjoy people enjoying themselves. Inside the gate of the faire...one can be whatever one wants to be IMO. It's the one place you can go and no one should think, or say, "Wow....that person is wierd"
I take that as a compliment though.

Thoughts?

[Robert Phoenix]

I would say that a playtron is a rennie who is not hired/volunteer by the faire but still interacts as if they were.  Playtrons are a subset of Rennies.

[Merlin]

Really?
Wow was I ever off.... I always considered myself a Rennie but I'm not hired by the faire.

[ladylissame]

To me, a rennie is one who loves faire and garbs up for it. A playtron is a rennie that is not hired for the faire. A cast member is. They are both rennies.

[Betty Munro]

I thought I had replied, but don't see my post here ... so here goes again

Maybe it is different based on the geographic region ... but it is my understanding that playtron plays and rennie works.  Just showing up every weekend, no matter how grand one's garb is, or how developed their persona, if they are not working (unpaid cast members are working) they are just playtrons.
Then again I have also heard reference that anyone that garbs up regularly is a rennie ... making rennie a mindset more than a title earned from labor.
I'm not sure who would be the authority on the subject to officially answer the question ... certainly it is not I. 

Oh, and by the way, I started my initial response with ... since "freak" isn't one of the options, is "hottie"?

[Lady Rebecca]

What exactly is a paytron, then? I think I'm confused on the whole thing. Like, if I always wear garb, but don't really have a developed character, what does that make me?

[Carl Heinz]

Playtron-subset of rennie.  A patron (pays at the gate) who also plays.

Participant-subset of rennie who has completed the requirements for a gate pass for the Entertainment Department.

Crafts people and booth workers who have met the requirements are also categorized as participants by REP.

But let's not get bogged down in definitions.  I personally feel that anyone who enjoys faire is a rennie.

[ArielCallista]

it seems to me that anyone who attends a faire regularly in garb, like all of us classify as rennies. Playtons are a type of rennie, usually the sort to act the part to the point that sometimes even rennies think they are hired actors for the faire.

[Serenity]

I'll second what ArielCallista said.  That is exactly what I thought the 2 terms meant.

[Clarendon]

Here is a link on this forum that might clear up some questions about Rennie/Playtron. http://www.renaissancefestival.com/forums/index.php?topic=9044.0

This was written by the cast director at Scarborough Faire.

[Baron Dacre]

I prefer "actor"....

[Carl Heinz]

Here is a link on this forum that might clear up some questions about Rennie/Playtron. http://www.renaissancefestival.com/forums/index.php?topic=9044.0

This was written by the cast director at Scarborough Faire.

This is good, but describes the usages there.  It may or may not be 100% correct in other areas.  I, personally, would not restrict "rennie" to those who follow the "circuit".  Circuit, itself, implies a set path generally taken.  In my experience, it's pretty individual.  Some do a specific set of events which may or may not differ from the set done by others.  It also seems to imply that rennies earn their entire livelihood from faire events.  I'd disagree.  YMMV.

[AnnMarie B]

Merlin,

If you're registered on this forum and you actually take the time to read some threads and post in some yourselves, it's probably safe to say you are a rennie.  It has nothing to do with whether you are working for the faire or not.  It is your love for all things faire-related.

[Noble Dreg]

I have always heard the "proper" definition of "Rennie" is a sub-set of "Carnie".  One who travels the circuit as a way of existance.  On these forums the term "Rennie" appears to have taken on the context of one who is heavily involved in "Fair" to the point of it being a key component of their personality, in spite of working the "circuit" or not.

I have seen "Rennies" get upset at "Playtrons" professing to be "Rennies".

Throwing another log on the "Barbie"...I was refered to as a "Boothie" this year after working the season in a shop.  As this reference was made by a "Boothie" from a different shop I assume it too is a subset of "Rennie".

No mater the name, Fair would not be fair without everyone, playing, working, selling, or just attending.

Remember, there are two types of people in the world... those that segregate people into two or more groups, and those who don't!  

[Merlin]

Oh, and by the way, I started my initial response with ... since "freak" isn't one of the options, is "hottie"?

You obviously haven't met me.... I've been called freak more than hottie....lol