Ren-Fest doesn't want Platt

[Platt]

So, many of you saw a person dressed as Platt Saturday at Ren-fest... I stress *looking* like Platt, but not acting like him.

There is a reason for this.

On my way into the front gate Saturday, I was met by a nice person named Betty Spreen, who (according to her card) is the Entertainment Director for the Colorado Renaissance Festival.

She approached me, and asked if I was a jester, (Yes) and if I juggled and such (Yes).   She then went on to tell me that "While in the Colorado Renaissance Festival, you are not allowed to perform, interact with other guests," or pretty much play my character.   However, she did state, as she handed me her card, that "If I would like to be a cast member and work for the Renaissance Festival, to give her call next year."

Excuse my bluntness, but WTF?!?!

I have been going to the Ren-Fest for 20 years now.  I have brought Platt to the Festival for about 7.  My "performances" consist of a child (or adult) coming to talk to me, and me acting like a jester.

I have NEVER taken money, or asked for anything in return.  I have NEVER taken away from the actual cast members who work there, and in some cases, have been THANKED by people who worked there, because I bring in business, or because I draw attention to THEIR performances.

I have always tried to be polite to everyone I see, and respect those who ARE cast members, in that I don't try to outshine them, or make a mockery of what they do at the Ren-Fest.  I know it's hard work being a character, (Especially one such as a jester, fairy, or Merry Men... things that children can immediately relate to), but Cripes people....   I'M FREE ENTERTAINMENT.

So... right now I'm thinking very hard and deeply about if I really want to return to the Ren-Fest.  I love the people, I love the Festival itself, but I PAY to come to the Ren-Fest and be Platt (or any other character that I go as).  I don't show up to be "Me dressed as XXX".   I don't want to have to tell kids.. "Sorry.  Yes, I'm dressed as a jester, but you know what?  I can't do a damned thing, so go F* off you little brat"

Yeah, I have a bad taste in my mouth from this, which is one of the reasons why you didn't/don't see me Sunday.  I don't want my bad feelings toward the Ren-Fest management to flow into my character (as it did Saturday) and/or ruin anyone elses time at the festival.

*******

I appologize for the rant here.  I'm just frustrated.  Platt is the Jester for the Kingdom of DragonFen, Kingdom of Mottistone, is a recognized Jester with the Kingdom of Stonehaven, is the Official Jester of the Colorado Rogues, jester of the Colorado Cavaliers, was the jester of the Red Feather Rangers....  (Yeah, the list goes on and on).... and for the first time since I put on the yellow, red, and blue of the jester....  I didn't have a smile on my face, and I didn't make others smile.

Thank you, Colorado Renaissance Festival, for ruining a day that I was going to use to relax after a hard week of work.  Thank you Ms. Spreen, for making me question if I ever wanted to return to a place that I used to love.  Thank you for making me wonder if I even want to be Platt anymore.

~Shawn Grothendick
plattjester@hotmail.com

[Radu the Gypsy]

Welcome to the ranks.

Last year, on Music and Dance weekend, I ran into a friend of mine from teh circuit who had come out for the weekend from California.  SHe's a flute player, and was working under the assumption that she'd be playing with a bunch of other visiting musicians, who never made an appearance.

She and I were talking about this early in the day, and she asked if I had one of my drums with me.  I mentioned I had one in the car, and she asked if I'd be willing to relive old times and provide her a basic back beat for her music.  Happily, I agreed to help her out.

Now, I should mention, I was there as a patron, and she as a visiting performer.  She was not taking tips, didnt even put a hat out.  We found a nice shaded spot away from other music groups and stages, where we wouldnt interfere with other performers and began to play.

About 5 minutes later, Ms. Spreen walked up and thanked her for playing.  She then turned to me and informed me that I couldnt play my drum at the faire.

My response was something to the tune of "I'm sorry Betty, I'll make certain not to add anything to the atmosphere of faire in the future.  My Bad."

And before anyone comes down on Platt or I, saying we are bashing faire Management, let me point out these are simple facts of interaction with said management, not comments that We could do it better, or anything like that.  These events happened, we are reporting them here.  Accept them or ignore them at your pleasure. but please dont try to tell us we cant talk about them.

Again Platt, welcome to the ranks of the dispossessed.

[Francisco Paula]

Sorry to hear this Platt. I did enjoy your company before canon. Oh i was the big pirate picking bugs from your hair and eating them. 

[Tanda]

But I've only just met Platt 

And been ducked. Thanks for that by the way. It made me very happy. 

I understand not wanting to return after such an interaction.

[NelleMoorley]

Platt, I've always loved your character, and I want to thank you for my duckie that you gave me Saturday!  Please know that, although Betty speaks for management and I have no power to override her decisions, she does not necessarily speak for the people who play on the streets and have found family in playtrons and cast alike.  I'm not sure what management's reasoning could be, but regardless, this one member of the Colorado Renaissance Festival (me) has been enchanted by Platt, and would never say she didn't want you back.

*hugs*

[Angelhood]

Wow, sorry to hear about both of these instances. Unfortunately, I'm sure there are similar testimonies.

I was there on Saturday, with a substantial amount of crew representing the Highland Rogues. At one point a patron in plain clothes approached our group and just wanted pictures with the females of our group. She was wanting to take a picture for her birthday with a bunch of girl pirates. We always happily oblige for pictures and when we discovered it was her birthday we belted out three verses of the pirate birthday song for her. It ended up drawing a small crowd with three other cameras, one I suspect might have been taking video instead.

Our captain always has a pouch full of the plastic gold coins to hand out to kids. Many times he's been offered cash by parents in exchange. He always refuses and explains that he's just here as a visitor just like them.

It saddens me to think how many priceless moments like these and countless others provided by other playtrons like Platt, that are being squashed out of existence because of any reasons thought of as good intentions by management.

[Cynthia_Orella]

Ahhck.... Yeah Betty Said the same thing to a friend of mine last year. He was dressed as a wilder (elf  like thing.) his costume was amazing and he was really really entertaining. And Betty asked him to "stop being so entertaining" and like with the rest of you, handed him a card and asked him to return to cast the coming year (and we all have seen how well THAT would have gone...)

Really when you think about it when people come in costume they are a character, if their not its not fun. And Playtrons are much much more fun then every single person being in cargo pants and renn faire t-shirts.... As long as your not accepting money, or disrupting anyone I don't think management has any right to kick you out.

Personally I say ignore them and have fun. The paid actors make the faire, but the Playtrons fill in the gaps.

XOXO
Cynthia

[Radu the Gypsy]

See, what I dont get is playtrons are free entertainment.  and I mean free in that they dont even provide us a pass to get in, it costs them absolutely nothing to have us there.  And people such as Platt and myself and the Elf really only add to the atmosphere.  So how exactly is it a smart business decision to tell us not to play?  And that all we are doing, playing, having fun, enjoying ourselves, while at the same time generally entertaining the patrons around us.

From a psychological stand point I can understand it.  We arent on the payroll, we arent there on free passes, we arent in any way under the managements thumb.  Thus, we are not under their control.  And lets face it, those in charge of faire are all about having control.  I am curious to see if Betty would actually call security and have someone escorted out for having the audacity to ignore her and continue playing.

[Hey- Arent You?]

       Elijah Loves Platt   
sez don't be not Platt

[bellevivre]

I know this isn't my faire, but it's an interesting discussion.

Has any contacted management and presented the 'we are free entertainment that pays YOU' argument? I'd just like to know what thier reasoned logic is...

Only rarely have i ever seen this done at the faires I go to- and one case was plain discrimination that we rennies overturned...

[Saber]

before this turns into a bash-management-fest... remember that, any business (and that is what faire is) reserves the right to refuse service (admittance etc.) to any person(s) for any reason.

That being said, I do NOT agree with not allowing Platt to be Platt... I agree that free entertainment is good... hell, a good portion of the "Norms" that attend go year after year for the people that are NOT paid by the faire, (IE: Rogues, Barbarians, Platt etc.)

This is not to discount the paid performers, Twig is a delight, Fool Hardy are wonderful, and so are the rest of them.  I have to agree with the statement of a "control factor" by management, just from personal interactions with the higher-ups during my employ with the faire.

Just my two bits.

[Mattrim]

I am fairly sure I heard at the beginning of this year it was said that all the extra cast that was turned away because Mr. Paradise felt they weren't necessary,  as the patrons that come in garb make up for the missing pieces.  I've also heard rumors that in the past the same authority felt it was a waste to pay cast, as all should just be volunteers since they will all be there in garb anyway.

[Cynthia_Orella]

For one they DO NOT LIKE cast being on a volunteer basis, because they can't ensure said people. So there are maybe one or two truly volunteer cast members. and they wont make that fact well known.

And I'm not opening up the WHY people got "let go" just before faire started, but it had nothing to do with Paradise feeling patrons filled the gaps just fine...........

I'm not saying management sucks or anything like that. I think its a matter of lack of control. You can't tell a patron their costume isn't period... cause honestly if your their to have fun (and your not into being perfectly period, which is fine) you don't care about that rule.