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Controversial mandatory "Renaissance University" at TRF

Started by groomporter, April 20, 2024, 10:29:41 AM

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groomporter

An Email went out to crafters explaining that they will be required to attend. But they make no explanation of how out of town participants are supposed to attend the classes. And they say there will be potential a penalty. Since George Coulam has apparently stepped back, whoever has taken over is off the deep end. Sure! make an effort to improve the performance aspects, but seriously?

"Lack of participation during rehearsals and inadequate demonstration of these skills during performance, will result in the Owner/Manager being fined $500.00"

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Hello everyone,
I hope you all are having a good week!!
TRF is reinstating Renaissance University classes for all participants this season.  Participants are expected to attend as many sessions as possible.   Weekly and year end prizes will be awarded in multiple categories for outstanding  performance this season!!
Participation is mandatory. 
See below for important dates and more information concerning 2024 Renaissance University and  TRF Participant Rewards.
Please respond to this email with which dates you and your employees will be attending.
 
Lori Wright
TRF Vendor Coordinator

Renaissance University
This training program is provided at no cost.
Texas Renaissance Festival presents a sixteenth century village, with several fantasy elements. This unique event creates a need for all participants to view themselves as performers, and their workspace, the stage on which they perform.
The Renaissance University training program will provide the participant, both new and returning, tools that will teach and refine the specific performance skills needed by TRF. 
It is our belief that the Owners/Managers should be able to exhibit the skills needed, to work any position in their organization, and subsequently help tutor their employees in the refinement of these skills.
TRF defines Participants as...
Anyone who comes in contact with our audience
Expectations of Participants
•    Appropriate use of the King's English
•    Use of appropriate Dialect – Standard British, Cockney, Spanish, French, Scottish, German, Eastern European
•    Demonstrable Patron contact skills – Greeting, Reverence, Trade Knowledge, Parting
•    Enter into and exit from any non-scripted association with a Patron.
•    Appear comfortable in the environment, and make others feel comfortable as well
•    Develop and use an effective, entertaining hawk to gather Patrons
•    Ability to deal with situations that do not happen as planned during Patron interactions.
•    Creating a memorable and entertaining character using vocal, physical and costume tools, while staying within the parameters  set by TRF
All TRF Owners/Vendors/Employees will be assessed on the following criteria:
As a Participant at TRF you are expected to demonstrate the following performance skills and have them observed and tested prior to dress rehearsal and observed and tested continually on performance days.
Performance Skill Assessment
• King's English               
• Dialects                     
• Costumes                   
• Contact Skills               
• Knowledge of Trade           
• Effective Hawk               
• Character History Worksheets       
• Rehearsal Participation       
• Daily Performance
Lack of participation during rehearsals and inadequate demonstration of these skills during performance, will result in the Owner/Manager being fined $500.00
Rehearsal/Workshop Schedule
Think of this as if we are rehearsing and performing in a theatrical play, which is what we are doing. Numerous hours of rehearsal are needed to achieve anything that is presentable to the audience. I encourage all participants to participate in as many sessions as possible. One rehearsal is not enough! Homework is required!
• Booth Owners / Managers - Rehearsals/Workshops
             Saturday – August 10        9:00 am – 12:00 pm
             Saturday – August 17         9:00 am – 12:00 pm
             Saturday – August 24        9:00 am – 12:00 pm
             Saturday – August 31         9:00 am – 12:00 pm
• Employee - Rehearsal/Workshops
            Saturday – September 7      9:00 am – 12:00 pm
            Saturday – September 8      9:00 am – 12:00 pm
            Saturday – September 14     9:00 am – 12:00 pm
            Saturday – September 15     9:00 am – 12:00 pm
            Saturday – September 21     9:00 am – 12:00 pm
            Saturday – September 22     9:00 am – 12:00 pm
            Saturday – September 28    9:00 am – 12:00 pm
            Saturday – September 29     9:00 am – 12:00 pm
• Dress Rehearsal
            Saturday – October 5             9:00 am – 12:00 pm
• Performance Maintenance
             Saturdays and Sundays
             October 12 – December 1    8:00 am – 10:00 am
When you die can you donate your body to pseudo-science?

Trillium

This may be in response to complaints over the past few years in the lack of immersion. It has begun to feel more like flea market than renfest. Some vendors had slacked off on accents and appropriate address.
Got faerie dust?

KiltedPrivateer

It's been a theme park for quite a while in my personal opinion. Our family stopped attending years ago now. And it is unlikely that brushing up on the King's english will be enough to draw us back  ;D
Member of Clan Procrastination
Crew of the Procrastinator
Lover of Lady Kitara

groomporter

I have nothing against the goal, especially as someone with a historical reenactment background, but it is unreasonable to expect out of town crafters and their traveling staff to attend workshops when so many are at other out of state shows that end just before TRF -and then to potentially penalize them... A friend who has booths at two other shows that compete with the workshops sent an Email just saying when do you want the $500 fine. It's almost like they want to drive out traveling crafters.
When you die can you donate your body to pseudo-science?

Trillium

Yeah, their way of going about it isn't very smart, especially with the amount of vendors traveling here as the last faire of the season. They need to have a better plan for non-local vendors and staff. But I suspect the majority of people not following to the program are local. Those who do this for a living and not an extra paycheck are much more likely to act appropriately in the first place.
Got faerie dust?

groomporter

An artisan I know said they sent a reply asking where to send the $500 penalty since it will cost them far more to send their staff to the workshops from out of state.
When you die can you donate your body to pseudo-science?