The Medieval Surreal Life...
What an interesting weekend. It was my first faire as an actor. And it was surreal coming to the site on Friday to help with the Viking Encampment and seeing everything in The Shire come alive. It was a bit overwhelming, but the thought of playing in this medieval world the following morning was...oh boy. Name the emotion and I felt it. Everything from terrifying to euphoric. The passion this community has is infectious and I love it!
Saturday morning on the drive from Southbridge, I psyched myself up with the music of Brian Tyler’s "Timeline". It didn't really work, but I tried. “Gladiator” would have been better. I had so much nervous energy I thought I was going to burst. What was the day going to be like? Would patrons want to talk to me? Would the heat affect my performance at all? Thank goodness I was not the only one feeling all these new emotions. And with sweet words in my ear right before the gate, I was ready to go.
Overall, the first faire day went well, but I wasn't happy with my individual performance. I had several witty and powerful lines in my head for the last few weeks, ready at a moments notice to spout through a crowd of patrons, but when I tried to use them, I ended up stumbling all over my words and sounding like a huge idiot...So I let my princess do all the talking. Then of course I got into my whole "woe is me lonely handmaiden" state. I can't help it. Fawn brings Guenevere to life, but she also has the good grace of a built in audience. Every little girl wants to be Princess Guen. Nobody aspires to be a handmaiden. (Though one little girl thought I was Princess Fiona from Shrek. Apparently we share the same tailor...Though after some thought, I wonder if she meant cute Cameron Diaz Fiona, or Green Ogre Fiona...Hmmm...)
I decided to make a few adjustments the next day and take some earlier advice from Roger about making my own character memorable. (Remember the day we stood outside at Roselyn Park for hours after everyone left practice to discuss my “passion” and “flaw”??? Good times.) It's weird how interacting with other actors changes your character...On one hand, I'm the feisty gal that tries to rush the stage to attack Lamorek after his off color comment to Guen in the court show. But I also had some great bits with Ironsides that left me shaking in my shoes and on the ground in the fetal position. They kind of contradict each other, but I guess it's something I'll have to be aware of next weekend. I'm probably thinking about it too much. Rich liked my reaction to Guen’s big “The Point, Sir Knight…” speech in the court show when I agree with her in a loud “HA!” to Ironsides, then cower behind Aunt Elenor…I’ll probably keep that. And I guess having “known” Ironsides most of my life, I might be afraid of him. Afraid of one knight, hating another…It’s possible. On a side note, pillow jousting with Guen, then buddying up to attack Princess Nia rocked!
This weekend will be better, easier…And my family will be here. 8 are coming…Maybe 10. They’ve never been to a Ren Faire, so I’m really anxious to see their reactions to everything. I think they’ll have a good time. They are also looking forward to meeting B. Me, too. I’ll have to warn him that they are huggers. Haha! I’ve told them a lot about him, and though they were skeptical at first, I think they realize that this man is very special to me and someone that is going to be in my life for a very long time. Meeting the parents…It’s a crazy world we live in. It’s been one month today…One crazy month that feels like six amazing ones.
Thanks to Pope and Cardinal for pulling me onstage for “Poprah” last season. Thanks to the CT Ren Faire for casting me in this wonderful production. Thank the gods of every faith that delivered this gift of a man to my life.
Saturday morning on the drive from Southbridge, I psyched myself up with the music of Brian Tyler’s "Timeline". It didn't really work, but I tried. “Gladiator” would have been better. I had so much nervous energy I thought I was going to burst. What was the day going to be like? Would patrons want to talk to me? Would the heat affect my performance at all? Thank goodness I was not the only one feeling all these new emotions. And with sweet words in my ear right before the gate, I was ready to go.
Overall, the first faire day went well, but I wasn't happy with my individual performance. I had several witty and powerful lines in my head for the last few weeks, ready at a moments notice to spout through a crowd of patrons, but when I tried to use them, I ended up stumbling all over my words and sounding like a huge idiot...So I let my princess do all the talking. Then of course I got into my whole "woe is me lonely handmaiden" state. I can't help it. Fawn brings Guenevere to life, but she also has the good grace of a built in audience. Every little girl wants to be Princess Guen. Nobody aspires to be a handmaiden. (Though one little girl thought I was Princess Fiona from Shrek. Apparently we share the same tailor...Though after some thought, I wonder if she meant cute Cameron Diaz Fiona, or Green Ogre Fiona...Hmmm...)
I decided to make a few adjustments the next day and take some earlier advice from Roger about making my own character memorable. (Remember the day we stood outside at Roselyn Park for hours after everyone left practice to discuss my “passion” and “flaw”??? Good times.) It's weird how interacting with other actors changes your character...On one hand, I'm the feisty gal that tries to rush the stage to attack Lamorek after his off color comment to Guen in the court show. But I also had some great bits with Ironsides that left me shaking in my shoes and on the ground in the fetal position. They kind of contradict each other, but I guess it's something I'll have to be aware of next weekend. I'm probably thinking about it too much. Rich liked my reaction to Guen’s big “The Point, Sir Knight…” speech in the court show when I agree with her in a loud “HA!” to Ironsides, then cower behind Aunt Elenor…I’ll probably keep that. And I guess having “known” Ironsides most of my life, I might be afraid of him. Afraid of one knight, hating another…It’s possible. On a side note, pillow jousting with Guen, then buddying up to attack Princess Nia rocked!
This weekend will be better, easier…And my family will be here. 8 are coming…Maybe 10. They’ve never been to a Ren Faire, so I’m really anxious to see their reactions to everything. I think they’ll have a good time. They are also looking forward to meeting B. Me, too. I’ll have to warn him that they are huggers. Haha! I’ve told them a lot about him, and though they were skeptical at first, I think they realize that this man is very special to me and someone that is going to be in my life for a very long time. Meeting the parents…It’s a crazy world we live in. It’s been one month today…One crazy month that feels like six amazing ones.
Thanks to Pope and Cardinal for pulling me onstage for “Poprah” last season. Thanks to the CT Ren Faire for casting me in this wonderful production. Thank the gods of every faith that delivered this gift of a man to my life.