The Journeyman Company

Have you ever wanted to act at a renaissance faire?

Have your friends ever said you should try out sometime but you never got around to it? Well, now's your chance!

Welcome to the 2009 Journeyman Company of the New York Renaissance Faire!

The Journeyman Company is a volunteer internship program and is made up of people from all walks of life who all share the same dream: to act at a renaissance faire. Once you've completed the intense and fun workshops you will walk away knowing everything you've ever needed to act at a renaissance faire including character development to the nuances of Elizabethan language to advanced improvisational acting techniques no matter your level of experience. What's more, you'll have a chance to strut your stuff in our 2009 season after you complete all the workshops! Please note: you must be 16 years of age or older to join the company.

The Journeyman Company is also a great place for experienced performers to brush up on their skills and lead their fellow actors by example without the need to commit to an entire season of performance.

Auditions for the 2009 Journeyman Company will take place at the New York Renaissance Faire Office, located across the road from the front gate of the faire, Saturday, June 6th, 2009 at 1:00pm, 600 Route 17A, Tuxedo, NY 10987. No experience is necessary.

Rehearsals and Workshops will be held Saturdays and Sundays, July 11th to July 26th, on the faire grounds for those accepted into the program. Workshop requirements are determined by pre-existing skill level.

Compensation includes, but is not limited to, preferred actor parking, complimentary tickets for friends and family and onsite camping during performance weekends*.

Rehearsals and Workshops will be held Saturdays and Sundays on the faire grounds during the month of July for those accepted into the program. Workshop requirements are determined by pre-existing skill level.

Performance dates are Saturdays, Sundays, including Labor Day Monday, from August 1st through September 20, 2009. Call times are 9am to 7pm during performance days. Journeyman Company members are required to commit to five weekends out of eight including Labor Day Monday.

Audition Requirements

Monologues are not required. Instead, create a character who lives in our quaint village of Sterling during the reign of Elizabeth I and be prepared to perform it.

1. The character should be something in which you'd actually be cast. Same gender, within reasonable approximation of your actual age, etc.
2. Be original! We prize originality and creativity above all else. No literary or historical characters but feel free to be inspired by such.
3. Be ludicrous! Yes, have fun with it. Actually, have a blast with it! For example, we're not looking for the village grounds keeper who's allergic to grass (funny, but not probable). Instead, I'd like to see something like a village grounds keeper who sifts through people's garbage thereby making them the village gossip mill as well, albeit their source of info is a little filthy. Come up with a name that fits as well. A blacksmith might have the last name Smith, but that's boring. How about "Roger Smackenhammer" or Katie Armorall"? You get the idea.
4. You have absolute freedom. Being a grounds keeper or a blacksmith is perfectly acceptable but we've had characters who were turnip farmers, poop smiths, rat catcher/chef, poets/playwrights, overly dramatic aspiring actors, knight-wannabe, etc.
5. Accents are not required - you will not be judged on them.
6. You don't need to be funny! Nope, feel free to create a dramatic role, a pitiful role, a lover's role. Whatever you wish, you're the writer/actor/director on this one.

During your audition, you will perform the character you created. Here's what that performance should include:

1. Entire piece must be between 30 and 60 seconds.
2. Establish the platform through language and/or movement. If you come up with a pig farmer, perhaps they approach us through the mud. If they are wearing a duke's coronet, perhaps they hand it to their servant who summarily drops it. Or maybe they're just on the noisy streets of a medieval village and need to shout over the rabid attacking geese in the background. Whatever your choice make it active, make it yours.
3. Once you step up to perform the character introduction, you're in-character until you sit back down.
4. State your name (ex. "Good morrow! I be Roger Smackenhammer...")
5. State a brief introduction (ex. "...the village sword smith and purveyor of fine baby toys.")
6. State your reason for being in the shire. (ex. "I heard that today the queen was coming to the shire, so I thought I would show Her Majesty how I pound things...")
7. State a hope (ex. "...into great metal shapes so Her Majesty could make me her personal smith.")
8. Give yourself an exit (ex. "Well, I be off to finish my custom order of fish leashes. May your arm be ever strong and your hammer ever quick! (exit)")

Questions? For more information contact, Steve Kraus, Director of the Journeyman Company, at nyrfjc@gmail.com or call the faire office at (845) 351-5171, ext 24.

*Based on travel distance to the site and campground availability. First come,first served.

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OPEN CALL AUDITIONS

Auditions have been held.

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The Professional Company

Currently seeking all types, especially actors with special skills (i.e. stage combat, singers, dancers, belly dancers, jugglers, acrobats, etc.) for paid roles and non-paid roles in scripted shows. All roles available in Shakespeare's "Taming of the Shrew". In addition, we are casting roles in Queen Elizabeth's Court, the "Tales of Robin Hood" and other internal shows. Furthermore, there are many opportunities for men with strong vocal and stage combat skills. We are also seeking actors with strong physical comedy skills for an opening in the "Wet Dirt Show". You must be 16 years of age or older to join the company.

Compensation:
Members of the Professional Company are paid based on levels of participation and years of experience with the New York Renaissance Faire.

Rehearsal Commitment:
Mandatory Company Meeting, May 30th, 10am - 3pm, in NYC. Night and weekend rehearsals in NYC beginning May 31st through July 31st. Expect a minimum of two rehearsals per week, evenings and weekends. On-site weekend rehearsals for actor/combatants will begin on June 20th. Full Company on-site weekend rehearsals begin July 11th. There will be no rehearsals July 3rd, 4th, or 5th. Members of the Performance Company are guided through improvisation and Elizabethan language workshops to learn/enhance necessary skills. Transportation from NYC provided for on-site weekend rehearsals in July and for the 8 weekend performances (Saturdays & Sundays from August 1st through September 20th, including Labor Day).

Rehearsal Times:
Rehearsals can be scheduled the following: Monday through Friday evenings beginning at 6:00pm. Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 7pm.

Performance Dates:
Saturdays, Sundays and Labor Day Monday from August 1st through September 20th, 2009. Performances are daytime only. Actors MUST be available for all 17 performance dates and Dress Rehearsal Weekend (July 25 & 26) NO PARTIALS. Call times are 9am until 7pm.

2009 Auditions:
Experienced actors (Equity or non-union OK) who are interested in auditioning for the faire should plan to attend OPEN AUDITIONS on Friday, May 1st & Saturday, May 2nd from 12:30-7:00PM at Ripley-Grier Studios, 520 8th Ave (between 36th & 37th street), 16th floor, NYC. Auditionees will be seen in order of arrival. Bring 8'x10' pix and theatrical resume. Please prepare a 1 minute monologue that shows us your strengths as an actor. Singers should also prepare 16-32 bars a cappella (belt and legit O.K. - no opera).

For additional information call Christopher DeTroy at 845-351-5171 or e-mail kastuff1313@yahoo.com

2009 Productions:
The Scenario - Scripted and Improvisational Scenes. Seeking actors to portray members of Queen Elizabeth's Court, Robin Hood's Band of Merry Men, and Sheriff's Guard.

The Villagers of Sterling - Improvisational scenes and street work. Seeking actors with strong improvisational skills with the ability to create absurd comic characters, to portray the villagers of Sterling Shire.

Shakespeare's "Taming of the Shrew" - Full-length main stage production. Seeking comedic actors. All roles open.

The Living Chess Game - Seeking actors with strong actor/combatant training. SAFD Certification not required.

SPLAT! Family Theatre - Seeking actors with strong improvisational comedy skills and no fear of water.

The Gypsy Troupe - Circus skills/acrobatics.

Belly Dancers - Seeking actors with belly dancing skills.

Maypole Country Dancers - Seeking actors with dance skills.

In-House Vocal Arrangements - Seeking men and women with strong part-singing ability.

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Independent Contract Company

All 2009 Contracts for our Independent Contract Company are currently filled. The Faire is always seeking self-contained Renaissance-style Musicians, Magicians, Jugglers, Acrobats, Stilt Walkers, Knife-Throwers, Mud Performers, Puppeteers, Swordsmen, Clowns, Fire Eaters and other interesting acts with half-hour stage shows or street shows for future seasons.

To be considered for our 2010 season:
Call Christopher DeTroy at 845-351-5171 or email: kastuff1313@yahoo.com
or should send a cover letter with contact and rate information along with a CD or DVD of your act to:

Christopher DeTroy
c/o New York Renaissance Faire
600 Route 17A
Tuxedo, NY 10987

 

The New York Renaissance is an Equal Opportunity Employer.