Do Faires need Rennies?

[analise]

Just thinking about it in terms of working in a booth that has a range of "lower end" stuff up to the "higher end" stuff that goes for several thousand dollars.

I notice it seems to be mostly the ungarbed (or mostly ungarbed) folks who buy the stuff on the lower end of the shop (say...$200 and below). For the higher end of the scale...I don't know, it seems to be mostly people in garb who see there multiple times. That said, one of the booth's frequent high-end item buyers (he's a collector) I've never seen in garb. Yet he's there most every weekend so I'm not sure I'd classify him as a "mundane".

Of course, having friends in another booth that is almost exclusively in that realm of "lower end" stuff (drinking horns and a reasonable selection of garb)...from hanging out there, it seems to be mostly the ungarbed patrons who give them most of their business (lots of men who want a cool horn to drink out of. Or younger folks who want the blowing horns, of course.)

I suspect a lot of that sort of analysis really depends on what you're selling. A jewelry booth will appeal to a broad spectrum of folks, whereas a place like, say...Noblesse Oblige is really going to appeal to two groups I can think of off my head: "Rennies" who want fancy garb and women looking for wedding dresses that aren't your run-of-the-mill David's Bridal sorts.

[Merlin the Elder]

Maybe "need" is just the wrong word. I consider myself a Rennie in that I (we) dress up and try to play the part, though we don't have the experience and training that many of you do. That's mainly due to the fact that we're too far away to come every weekend.

I can't speak for everyone, but we talk the faire up all year long, probably making nuisances of ourselves. I'd like to think that we are providing a free service to the faire. We don't ask for anything in return but a good time, and we've never been disappointed. Most of our garb and jewelry came from the faire. I'd be embarrassed to tell you how much we've spent at the LA Williams booth over the years, and at a couple of the jewelers whose names are escaping me at the moment. We go to the faire with the intent to spend too much money.

"Need" may be the wrong term—"Benefit from" may be a better way of putting it.

[Queen Maggie]

Ah, there's the point! Renn faire playtrons, and enthusiasts, who dress up and add atmosphere are very welcome, add to the fun and are often a very positive influence (I'm familiar with a friend like this, who makes it a point, everytime he comes to a faire to introduce himself to a first timer, answer questions and talk about why he loves it so much)
But there are others (none that I've heard from in this thread!) who insist that they deserve more than other patrons, because they are garbed. They think they can create acting bits in the streets and that they are helping, but in fact, since they are tipsy, and smoking and costumed out of period, they are damaging our show. They are making first time patrons think that we drink while working, that we don't notice kids and make coarse jokes, and because they are in any costume, they are assumed to be on cast. Sometimes they copy what they've seen on stage the week before, and give away the jokes. sometimes they just don't realize that they are interrupting a carefully rehearsed bit. And someone times they demand special favors (you should let us use the backstage privies since we do so much for you! We should have our own exclusive area because we add color. We want to kidnap the princess this weekend, it'll be fun!... )When you make things exclusive they don't add anything to the casual observer: they just feel that they've been shut out, and who wants to feel that way?

And again, "Rennie" is a term with differing definitions among differing groups and locations. It was first adopted 30 years ago by the on the road workers. Later playtrons adopted the term without realizing that the former group had already used it (why not? it's an easily understood reference, and a common short form.) Does it mean just someone who garbs? Someone who shows up every week? Someone who knows the acts? Someone who volunteers?.... Thus this discussion can go at cross purposes, without anyone actually meaning to run it off course.

[Jinglebum]

3) Rennies do a good bit of advertising, either overtly like showing up for a parade or other event or subtly - because every Rennie I know always tells thier friends and family and co-workes about Faire. And are so enthusiastic about it!  This is advertising that Faires could not possibly hope to pay for.  I feel that each Rennie brings at least 5 folks to faire. 5 people that likely have never even heard of  a Renn Faire before.

This. During faire season, all me and my friends talk about is how much fun we've had that weekend at faire; when it isn't faire season, about 90% of the time all me and my friends talk about is how much we wish we were at faire. It's very rare that a person starts hanging out with us and DOESN'T end up going to faire.

Not to mention, I don't think a lot of people would go to a renaissance festival if it was just a bunch of 'danes and some actors. The playtrons definitely give renaissance festivals a more real feeling. The actors who are getting paid to be there can't very well go sit in the tavern or walk around with a bottle of mead, eventually bringing that comforting sense of debauchery we've all come to know and love about ren fests. haha

[MorganaLightskirt]

Everyone at work knows when Faire is...or they just come find me...I love Faire and I feel it would survive without me...I would miss a pleasant and enjoyable time of year to catch up with old friends and make new ones.

[Merlin the Elder]

...**snip**...But there are others (none that I've heard from in this thread!) who insist that they deserve more than other patrons, because they are garbed.....

I agree with you there. In my dane profession, I'm seeing an awful lot of this "entitlement" feeling. I don't want to say it's a generational thing. I can't really pinpoint where it starts. We buy season passes each year regardless of how many times we expect to be able to visit the village (750 mile round-trip). That (at Scarby) provides us with a couple of perks, like close-up parking and a discount at the souvenir shop. The rest that we're entitled to, as I said, is a good time, but no other special privileges.

I really enjoy it when someone wants to get a photo. That makes me feel like I'm helping to make their experience better. I had a little girl come up to me on one occasion and ask me if it's difficult to become a wizard. I talked to her for a few minutes, and then she told me that she wanted to be a wizard when she grew up.

Do the faires need us? Maybe not. But ask yourself, would the faire be better off without us? I would suggest that there isn't a faire in the country that would answer that in the affirmative.

[cowgrrl]

I wouldn't say that faires need us as we are not cast or actual workers for the faire.  However, I do think we benefit the faire & its vendors.  I cannot count how many times I've been asked about my Moresca bodice & I've been happy to plug them, their products & their customer service.  I also have some family members who, after we purchased some salsa & other goodies for them at Fiery Faire, will visit FF every year when they come to make their own purchases. 

[Blue66669]

I'm with Queen Maggie on this one. At TRF, it's so vastly huge that the "rennies" really are not needed. As cast now, and a booth worker previously, most of our focus is thrown to the patron. We play to the patron because the playtrons entertain themselves. Playtrons have their friends and their agendas. My husband has been a long time rennie, and until this year, had almost no interaction with our faire's cast. Nor did he care to! I find that a LOT of the TRF playtrons come to play amongst themselves and have a good time. Yes, their money is spent in the pubs and getting food and sometimes garb. Sometimes they are a distraction to what we're trying to accomplish. TRF's money comes from the families that come out once or twice a year, buying souvenirs and other fun things to take home with them.

[Laird Fraser of Lovatt]

I'm with Queen Maggie on this one. At TRF, it's so vastly huge that the "rennies" really are not needed. As cast now, and a booth worker previously, most of our focus is thrown to the patron. We play to the patron because the playtrons entertain themselves. Playtrons have their friends and their agendas. My husband has been a long time rennie, and until this year, had almost no interaction with our faire's cast. Nor did he care to! I find that a LOT of the TRF playtrons come to play amongst themselves and have a good time. Yes, their money is spent in the pubs and getting food and sometimes garb. Sometimes they are a distraction to what we're trying to accomplish. TRF's money comes from the families that come out once or twice a year, buying souvenirs and other fun things to take home with them.

*Not in the face!*

[LadyDracolich]

I really think it depends on what kind of rennie you are.  Are you stirring up drama and being generally annoying?  If so,  you're not needed or desired.  Are you respectful of the cast and vendors, do you respond kindly to patrons?  I would say you are welcome but maybe not needed.  However, at other smaller fairs, I would say garbed rennies who are in that second category are needed.  Why?  Because at smaller fairs (I attend several) they hire very few cast members.  There are acts, but they stay mostly in their stage areas.  So who is left to walk the lanes and make things seem more realistic?  Rennies.  It's been my experience at these smaller fairs that most of the rennies who attend do fall into that second category.  They go to support the smaller faire in hopes that it'll keep bringing in more and more patrons and grow.  

So, in some cases, I think rennies are needed.  In other cases, not so much. :/  

[Blue66669]

I'm with Queen Maggie on this one. At TRF, it's so vastly huge that the "rennies" really are not needed. As cast now, and a booth worker previously, most of our focus is thrown to the patron. We play to the patron because the playtrons entertain themselves. Playtrons have their friends and their agendas. My husband has been a long time rennie, and until this year, had almost no interaction with our faire's cast. Nor did he care to! I find that a LOT of the TRF playtrons come to play amongst themselves and have a good time. Yes, their money is spent in the pubs and getting food and sometimes garb. Sometimes they are a distraction to what we're trying to accomplish. TRF's money comes from the families that come out once or twice a year, buying souvenirs and other fun things to take home with them.

*Not in the face!*

Imma put it all up in yer face LOLOL! I love you Fras.

Oh, and then there are wonderful playtrons who bring treats for cast and boothies. Those ones can stay.

And I totally agree with you Drac. It was like that at KYHRF. Very small with a light cast. Here, playtrons are very much so needed to fill in the gaps and complete the ambience.

[Rowan MacD]

I really think it depends on what kind of rennie you are.  Are you stirring up drama and being generally annoying?  If so,  you're not needed or desired.  Are you respectful of the cast and vendors, do you respond kindly to patrons?  I would say you are welcome but maybe not needed.  However, at other smaller fairs, I would say garbed rennies who are in that second category are needed.  Why?  Because at smaller fairs (I attend several) they hire very few cast members.  There are acts, but they stay mostly in their stage areas.  So who is left to walk the lanes and make things seem more realistic?  Rennies.  It's been my experience at these smaller fairs that most of the rennies who attend do fall into that second category.  They go to support the smaller faire in hopes that it'll keep bringing in more and more patrons and grow.  
So, in some cases, I think rennies are needed.  In other cases, not so much. :/  

So true! I attend both large and small faires, and I adjust my behavior accordingly.  If it does not seem that interaction on my part is needed or particularly welcomed (as sometimes happens at the larger venues with bigger casts) then I let the paid actors do their thing with no interference from me.  I am happy to become a neutral part of the crowd scene and pursue my own agenda.  The trick is to find your niche and stay in it.
  I have been asked if I would like to be on cast a few times,  but I choose to be a Playtron because my work schedule and other activities preclude firm commitments to volunteer or to work at any fair, and I don't like to promise what I may not be able to deliver. 

 
   
 

[robert of armstrong]

I like to think that, as long as we aren't in the distracting/annoying/PAY ATTENTION TO ME!! catergory, any Faire would be happy to have us.  I am on my own agenda.  I show up, walk the lanes, go to the pubs and sing along, buy what I am looking for, see those I cherish.  And get photographed.  Over and over and over.  I'll admit I love it.  It once took me 45 minutes to walk from the Dragons Pub to the Jousting feild at MDRF.  I figure I'm at least giving the Faire attendee a little more background to look at on the tapestry that is the Faire.  What I get in return is more than I deserve -

I get to be at Faire.

[DonaCatalina]

I also think a lot of faires think of us as free advertising. I mean who else is going to do their level best to covert all their family and friends into regular faire-goers?

[Dinobabe]

This is only an observation:

Several times the purchasing of garb has been mentioned.  Even someone stopping to ask where a particular items was purchased.  Why do mundanes purchase garb?  If there weren't "rennies" wearing "costumes" (whether they made or purchased it) would mundanes be less likely to purchase clothing?  I think rennies encourage action; whether spending money, interacting with cast, returning the next year or even the next weekend.  This doesn't mean the faire would close down without rennies, just that we are a valuable and important part of the faire experience making each moment that much more magical by just being there!