If you could choose would you work at a fair / or just go to one

[Sir Michael Geare]

I've worked and been on cast for majority of the faires that I've attended.  I have attended a few as a patron as well.  Given the choice, like so many, I would choose to be on cast and work at the faire.  The experience and fun is different when working especially the after-hours/back stage fun. 

Some say the rules stop them from working, the rules aren't that hard to conform to.  They are there to ensure the atmosphere for you the patrons.  Look at it from a different point of view.  There are rules regardless if you are a patron or participant.  The rules are roughly the same with some geared for the participant and others for the patron.

[BLAKDUKE]

I would never work at one(except for the 2 that we perform in) The only reason is that the 2 we perform in I get to do what I love most, walk around the faire and play with people.  Most other faires that I have seen there are set scenarios and heavy scripting, i.e. stand here. be there, deliver this line with this inflection.  Not for me.  If I choose to play with a patron/playtron, then that is what I do.

[Queen Bonnie]

 I enjoy working at Sherwood and playing at Scarby and TRF!

[Baron Dacre]

Work!

I'd been a patron for many years before working, but how many times can you see the same shops and shows.

I have a day job (I'm a C# web developer, so I make decenent money) As a member of Court I don't get paid, I do it because I love it.

My main gig is poetry, and wooing in the streets, if I can make a teenager blush or a tired mother giggle my day is made.

I come home on Sunday night exhausted but fulfilled.

I've made lasting friends, conquered a good deal of my shyness and met the love of my life. This is what working faire has brought me.

[Bob of the Lake]

I've daydreamed about working at faire but I can't act, sing, play an instrument, or create anything anyone would want, so I think I'll just remain a dedicated faire-goer. Besides, if you're working, you can't drink!   

[Lady Christina de Pond]

but there is always the pub sing at the end of the day bob

[Bob of the Lake]

but there is always the pub sing at the end of the day bob

Oh, I never miss the pub sing. Since half the people there can't sing either, I fit right in! 

[Valiss]

Join a guild. It's literally the best of both worlds.

[Merlin the Elder]

I wish I had the talent—and lived close enough—because I would most assuredly be happy to be on cast.

[Welsh Wench]

I play by no one's rules but my own.
Pass.

[Lady Kett]

I've daydreamed about working at faire but I can't act, sing, play an instrument, or create anything anyone would want, so I think I'll just remain a dedicated faire-goer. Besides, if you're working, you can't drink!   

2 Thumbs Up, there! I'd much rather play the whole time with no pressure to perform.

[Captain Jack Wolfe]

I've done both, sometimes in the same day.  Sometimes more than once in the same day.  Of course I meant work!   

[Lady Nicolette]

I've done both, I really have loved having my own booth, especially when sales are going well!
Just playing is fun, too, but when I have a choice, I prefer to work.

[maeven]

I've daydreamed about working at faire but I can't act, sing, play an instrument, or create anything anyone would want, so I think I'll just remain a dedicated faire-goer. Besides, if you're working, you can't drink!   

I would love to audition to work at faire, but I'm worried about messing up. Plus, I don't think I have any talent either. I have never worked at faire though, so it's hard to say which one I would rather pick. I do love being a playtron, though!

[Norfolk]

The Baroness and I were playtrons at our home faire (Colorado) for about ten years, and thoroughly enjoyed every day we spent on the festival grounds.  Last season, we were invited to join the cast, and thoroughly enjoyed that as well.  So much so, that we'll be back this season.

As with most things, there are trade-offs:  As members of the cast, we must be there whether we're in the mood or not, and regardless of weather.  We may not drink during the festival day, and are not allowed to watch any of the stage shows.  The days are l-o-n-g, 11 hrs or so both Saturday and Sunday, most of that on our feet.  We have a very limited amount of time to visit with friends and relatives who come to festival for the day, and when doing so must (at least try to) stay in character.  We are required to attend six weekends of rehearsals, unpaid of course, before opening weekend.  Sounds like a bummer, right?  Quite the contrary.  We love it!  Being part of the story, bringing it to life for the patrons, especially the children, is truly modern-day magic for our souls.  And the other members of the cast feel the same as we do, making cast call a joy.  It's certainly not for everyone, and I'm not sure how long we will last, but for now, as one of the other actors put it, "it's the crack to our inner addict".

Besides, we still get to play as patrons at AZ, MN, KS, Scarby, and TRF now and then.