First Cast Letter Ever
Dear performer,
Sorry to subject you to a form letter, but due to our
great turnout at our first audition this is simply
easier to do. I also want to apologize for the delay,
as I know some of you have been waiting eagerly. More
specific information concerning your role will be
forthcoming as we cast people following our May 4th
audition. If you know of others who might want to try
for a role in our faire, please put them in contact
with Misty Kuprevich at:
Now to the meat of the matter. We're happy to let
you know that we would like to have you as a member of
our 2002 cast. This year is a milestone in the
faire's history as it marks the formation of a local
cast which will continue to grow with the faire. In
it's first 3 years, CTRF-get used to the abbreviation.
It saves time- previously the Olde Worlde Faire has
built a reputation as an enjoyable family
entertainment. This year it is our goal to move
further forward on our journey to become a renowned
world-class faire. As a member of the budding
Performer's Guild, you are instrumental in making this
happen.
And so, now that you have joined us, you are likely
full of questions about who you will be working with,
what commitments you must keep, and how you are to
develop the skills which are so vital to a successful
faire performance. I will attempt to answer some of
these here. Others will be forth coming as you are
cast into specific roles. Please read all the way
through this as there may be a not specific to you at
the end of this letter.
First, who the heck are these Autumn Tree Production
folks? You will be meeting more as workshops and
rehearsals take place, but let me throw out a few key
players here.
Stephen Pasker-this would be me. You probably
remember me as the tall, thin fellow from your
audition. I am the Producer for Autumn Tree
Productions, a company which specializes in this
venue. On top of the overall administration of the
show I shall also be doing some direction and leading
a few workshops throughout the training process.
Scott Rodlin- the wiry, dark haired gentleman of
average height who was also at the audition. Scott is
my Assistant Producer as well as being the Fight
Director and a director of some of our shows.
Misty Kuprevich-The first person you probably met at
auditions, you should all know Misty. She is our
Stage Manager, which in many ways makes her more
important than anyone else on this list. She'll be
the one keeping you moving throughout the days ahead
Mark Johnson- The older tall gentleman at auditions,
Mark is joining us this year as our Music Director.
You may know him from his previous work with the
Renaissance Revelers.
I realize that this list is about to get very long,
so I'm going to cut it short here and let you know
that you will meet all these folks and more, including
our other directors, our writers, and our workshop
folks, at our first rehearsal. Don't worry if you
forget names. Soon enough you'll have enough trouble
just remembering characters!
I was about to go into commitments here, but let me
instead take a few moments to tell you about the story
we'll be telling:
The setting:
It is a troubled time for Britain. It has been years
since there was a High King to unify the divided
people of the Isle. It is a time of religious unrest
as the young religion of the Christians slowly
replaces the older religions which draw their beliefs
from the natural world. Humans are gaining more and
more control over their more earth-based neighbors,
the Fey. The Fey are split into two courts on how to
deal with this issue. The Seelie are those who are
inclined to work with and through humans to preserve
some semblance of their influence on the land. They
tend to be more caring and understanding, though some
are quite mischievous. Their races tend to be those
of the elves, the dryads, those more forgiving and
generous in their outlook. The Unseelie have decided
that it is "Us or them" and are preparing to slow the
humans progress, even going to war if need be. This
creatures tend toward the more brutish Fey races,
trolls, goblins, and the like.
It is just over 2 years since Arthur drew the sword
from the stone and became a King. In that time he has
had to squash numerous uprisings and rebellious kings.
Some of this has happened through diplomacy, some
through war. Now he is ready to be crowned the High
King of Britain. He seeks to create a land where all
can live together, Christian and Pagan, Human and
Seelie. His coronation is the basis for our faire.
However, the Unseelie, with the help of the human ally
Morgan, have decided that Arthur is too closely tied
to the new ways of the humans and seek to maintain the
old ways as long as possible. they have found a like
minded soul in the form of the only King Arthur has
not attempted to subdue or conquer, King Rhience of
Wales. Rhience, seen by many as backwards, strongly
supports the old ways and refuses to come under
Arthur's rule.
And so we find ourselves at the beginning of the day.
Here is a brief rundown of the shows of the day:
The Day’s events-
The basis for the day is a faire held in honor of
Arthur’s Coronation as High King. All are invited to
join in the celebration. There will be a Living Chess
match, a tourney, and numerous shows for the populous.
Arthur has opened his gates to all the denizens of
his realm, Norman, Welsh, Saxon, even the non-humans
of the Fey.
Opening gate- The Herald is telling the populous of
the day’s events when Rhience shows up and interrupts
everything, declaring he is there for Arthur’s beard.
Arthur and his entourage do not know of this. They
remain off stage for now.
Opening Court- The Coronation begins but is
interrupted by the gruff arrival of Rience who shows
now regard for Arthur. He attacks Arthur and Arthur’s
sword is broken! He challenges for the right of his
own sovereignty, especially from a king so young he
cannot grow a beard. Arthur, under Merlin’s advice,
accepts the challenge but gets to name the terms. He
chooses Chess. Rience grudgingly accepts.
Chess Match- Between Arthur (advised by Merlin) and
Rience (advised by Morgan), things go poorly for
Arthur. He plays a better strategy game but Rience’s
pieces triumph. Rience wins the game, gaining his own
sovereignty, but Arthur. in his frustration, decides
to challenge Rhience to another competition to
determine his fate. Rhience agrees, setting the prize
as the right to be High King, and choosing the
competition as a tourney of arms.
Well, I could tell you more, but that would ruin the
surprise! So this gives you a good look at the way
the day will go.
Now the true meat of the matter. What is your
commitment and what will you learn? Here is a look at
that. The dates listed here are firm. The subjects
may change, but the dates will not. If you cannot
make any of these for any reason, please let Misty
know ASAP!
All weekend rehearsals are 10-5 each day. Directions
will be forthcoming. If you need housing, please let
us know ASAP. Also, if you are local and willing to
host a wayward performer or two, let us know that as
well.
June 22-23: Introductions, plot overview, script
read-throughs, and the start of character development,
costuming
July 13-14: Character development, improv, history,
music
August 3-4: Accent, Improv, interaction, mannerisms.
Music
August 24-25: Improv, accent, mannerisms, safety,
music, interaction, fights
August 31-September 1: The whole picture, station,
improv, interaction, music, blocking of shows, fights
September 7-8: rehearsal, further workshops, music,
fights
September 14-15: rehearsal, further workshops, music,
fights, done in costume
September 21-22: Dress Rehearsal! Attendance is
MANDATORY!
Sept 28-29, October 5-6, 12-13: Faire dates,
Attendance is MANDATORY!
So, there you are, 8 weekends. It seems like a lot of
time, but trust me it will barely seem enough. We
have a lot to cover in that time and it is vital that
you be there. So let us know of conflicts ASAP.
Well, as you can tell from the above there are a lot
of topics we're going to cover. Remember that at a
faire of this sort there is no "off stage" or bit
parts. The vast majority of our performing takes
place on the street directly interacting with the
audience. I mention this for a few reasons. One,
most of what will be covered in workshops is geared
towards this interaction. It is something which
"standard" theater cannot prepare you for. Most
actors are safely on stage where the audience will
never impact the events they are portraying. We have
a unique chance to incorporate our patrons into the
show an make them a part of the story. Hence the
heavy slant towards those skills.
I also mention it for casting reasons. Obviously, we
cannot put everyone on stage or in the role of King
Arthur or Morgan le Fey. There are some of us whose
stage will be the street. This "street cast" is vital
to the success of our show. Unlike a strictly staged
show, there really are no "extras". We cannot create
the atmosphere of a coronation festival without those
whose job it is to directly interact with patrons. I
say this because there are those who think of these
roles as bit parts. In my experience there are NO bit
parts. In fact, at the end of the day the family of
four is not likely to remember exactly what Merlin
said on stage during the Chess Match, but EVERY MOMENT
they spent being accosted by a distressed dryad who
has accused them of cutting down her tree will remain
in their memory for years to come. This is because
for that period of time THEY were the focus of the
story. So, when you are given a role remember this.
Treat this year as a time to learn and grow and enjoy
the fact that you may not be locked into scheduled
stage shows.
Well, this is getting quite lengthy. Let me cut it
short here. If you have questions or concerns, feel
free to let me know. I'll send out updates in the
weeks ahead. Thanks, and congratulations!
Stephen