What a great program this is and Steve Kraus who is the instructor/Director of the program has done a great job.

What is that thou sayest? Tis an improv/street theater class for the Lundegaard Guildies and Friends of Faire for NYRF/Tux. An apprenticeship in acting if thou wilst. 3 weekends of intensive, total immersion, language/improv/thinking on thy feet workshops.

Tis also a way to impress the powers that be so much, that some may get a call back to work main cast next season, without having to audition. I be good, but I be FoF and not totally involved with the program, other than participating in all the workshops and getting the cast familiar with meself, me character and FoF and what we do for them all.

By the end of the 2nd weekend, we were almost on a par with most of the paid cast. I say almost. Some of those folks are just so outrageously talented.

We did hold our own in "Hit and Runs" with the main cast, but we did have a better grasp of the language over quiet a few of them. To be fair, a few of the cast are professional actors that are there for a summer gig, the improv training and to pad their resumes and have never been to a "Ren" faire, while most of the Journeymen, save one are "Rennies" and fairly schooled in "BFA". ie: Thee, thy, thine, me, my, mine, etc.

We did manage to impress not only our own Director, but the cast's improv Director was very happy with us as well. (pats self on the back) Heh.

This coming weekend is Dress Rehearsals. The Journeymen will be getting their assignments for the season, as I will not, seeing that I be FoF. I do not even have to go this weekend, but any excuse to don me garb and be me piratical self will most likely have me there at least on Sunday.

Actually the main reason would be so that I can see where I can be to be the most effective during the day and to get the cast used to seeing me in full garb so that they will recognize me during the run and that way be more willing to do "Street" with me if the opportunity presents itself. I have already set up a few scenarios with a few folks. One of them involves a Russian Princess and her disgruntled Chamber maid. Yarrrrr. Side note, I have been told I am not allowed to pull me flintlock on the Dragon mascott this season. :(   I got away with it last season, but thats because security did not see me do it and I was warned they might react badly since it is not part of a scripted scene. I accuse the dragon of being an alligator and we all know how pirates feel about them toothy critters.

One of the most talented women on the cast, during a practice Hit and Run, decided to include me piratical wenchwife and meself in her back story. This opens up all kinds of fun as she plays one of three courtisans that travel with the Royal party.

So, needless to say, I am looking forward to this season at Tux. There have been a lot of changes, not only to the cast, but the faire itself. Is it going to be better? I really have no idea, but I am looking forward to having a lot of fun with the patrons, the cast, the Journeymen, the vendors and my brothers and sisters of FoF.

Less than 12 days and counting. Yarrrr.

Caire vie,