Cast Changes

[Kiss-me-Kate]

Muffin-well said!!!!!!!   

[groomporter]

Interestingly enough, most all the cast members have not received contracts yet... so most do not even know their status.  As Terpsichory did not find out their group status until very late for a group, the same is likely to be for the individuals contracts... paid or volunteer - leaving decisions to be cast until the last minute and the overall opening chaos to ensue.

Hardly anything unusual. I remember a number of years when contracts when finalized at dress press, and at least one time when a number of contracts weren't signed until the first Saturday.

[William_MacKean]

First weekend is pretty typical.

[groomporter]

Yeah there was a year when a number of street characters showed up in street clothes at the first 8am cast call since they didn't have contracts signed yet that year.

[Kiss-me-Kate]

The management and PTB are just running on "Rennie Time."   

[auntiegiggles]

The management and PTB are just running on "Rennie Time."   

ROFL 

I didn't sign my contract until the 3rd weekend of fest last year....but I did see that Anita posted on Facebook today that she was printing out the contracts.  She wants people who know they won't be working out there this year to let her know so she can save a few trees 

[Kiss-me-Kate]

Lauren didn't sign hers until 5th weekend.   She wasn't even supposed to get one, but Carr made her sign it anyways.  I suppose, she is a minor, and they didn't want any liability if she hurt herself, or offended someone.
I will be surprised if they make her sign one this year.  She just hurls insults for one show  per day if she is lucky.   Techhnically she was a Nanny last year, not an entertainer. 

[saphire_glade]

Hey I got my contract in the mail today. Amazingly enough it contains that special phrase that will keep me working there.

[Lady Spicer]

As did many others this Saturday past, including the Spicers.  Seems to be no changes to ours (in general)... wonder about others though - or if rocking the boat with more changes after the first has been postponed until the 2012 season?

[MissBubu]

I got my contract, with the one minor change I asked for. I haven't heard from any of the other peasants.

[Jon Hanslow]

Alright, more of my 2c,

From the point of view of a "playtron", and as someone who has seen the festival change dramatically over the 13ish years I've been going...A lot of whats going on surprises me on one hand, but doesn't on the other.

I've heard the horror stories from a few years ago about after hours stuff, but I've heard its been cleaned up in recent years..So this really (at least in my eyes) is a non issue.

The one thing I suppose that irks me about this whole lot, is this whole VIP-Playtron bit...It just seems like they want to further alienate those who already feel left out this year (and in the coming years). Granted, I've never been on cast, but have been there for 13 years plonking down 80 bucks a year for a season pass...And Hanslow has been "alive" out there for 3 years.

Idk...I think the whole thing is just a ploy to get the cheapest they can get, and run with it. But hey...I could be wrong. Maybe these changes really will be for the better in the long run...

[Naween]

It is my hope that Terpsichory may return in some fashion on a volunteer contract.  I have occasionally sat in on their rehearsals and provided music for their non-fest gigs, and I know they work hard and have talent and, in many cases, extensive formal training in dance.

It is my observation that, despite their careful, artistic, energetic performances, and accurate period costuming, the fest crowds showed little interest in their show.

...wait...is Terpsichory the group that teaches the dance lessons? If so, I will miss them terribly! They were extremely kind to us, and I loved learning the dances every year!
I DO have to admit though, that while I love "historically INSPIRED", Historically ACCURATE actually bores me to death.

[Lady Spicer]

They have taken a volunteer contract... and are likely to still have dance lessions and the dance sessions

[Naween]

They have taken a volunteer contract... and are likely to still have dance lessions and the dance sessions

Lovely! Hopefully we will see them again then - they are one my my fave things at Faire!

[LadyFae]

The Bust Dusters got the boot, too!  GRRRR!!!!!