Performances are not limited to the theater; they can happen anywhere. Have you ever been to a Renaissance Faire?

Good morrow, my lord and my lady! My name is Danielle and I have homeschooled my kids for 20 years. When we started homeschooling, I was concerned my kids may not be able to participate in some of the fun activities like drama that I was able to do growing up, but I quickly found out that I had nothing to worry about and found there are a lot of ways to fit drama into your homeschool.

One way to experience drama is to get dressed up and travel back in time. This usually only happens in our imaginations, but there’s a fun way to be transported back to 16th century Medieval England - attend a Renaissance Faire.

Join in the Drama at a Renaissance Faire

At the theater you sit in a chair and watch the actors perform their play. It’s a pretty passive event. However, at a Renaissance Faire you often are invited to be a part of the festivities. When we went with our kids, my daughter was pulled in as soon as we stepped through the front gate. She was taught how to dance, then watched as the dancers went around the Maypole. Even when we left the dance, the music continued as we traveled around the town with a plethora of instruments to enjoy.

At a Renaissance Faire everyone is a part of the show. You can dress up and join in or walk around and experience it as a spectator. Actors are everywhere, always in character to entertain you whether they are just walking around, dancing, singing or making something from that time period. Imagine an entire fairgrounds set back in time. Who would you want to see?

You can be a part of the fun in many ways. You don’t even have to sit for a show to see a performance. There’s often a parade that comes through or actors in character just walking around. You can dress up and blend into the theme of the Faire or just sit back and enjoy the show as actors wander the grounds and put on performances. All the actors are in character, and you often forget they are acting because they walk and talk as if they really are those characters.

You Never Know Who You Will Meet

Get swept up in the adventures of Robin Hood. Watch the story unfold around you as actors pop up around town giving tidbits of the story as the day goes on. You could see Robin Hood himself or Little John or Maid Miriam. 

It is rare to have a Queen sighting, especially if you live in America, so imagine you are walking along minding your own business and along comes the Queen! Queen Elizabeth I that is. Will you bow to her royal majesty as a loyal subject? What will she say?

Maybe you’ve dreamt of being a part of King Arthur’s court. It is common to see knights in shining armor on their horses in a jousting match. Hear the clanging of the swords as each knight fights for the quest for victory. Which side will you be cheering for? If you’re hungry, maybe you’ll get a seat at the round table and enjoy a giant turkey leg. 😀

Stage Plays and Performances Around Every Corner

If you like being pulled into the show there are plenty to entertain you the day through. Improvised plays are fun to watch because every show is different. The performers engage the audience in their act by calling them up on stage to be a part of the performance or asking them to call out different words or sayings to create their original performance. There are always lots of laughs at these shows. If you’ve ever tried to improvise, you soon realize that it isn't easy and is truly an art. You have to think quickly on your feet to make the show flow well. I think this is why I enjoy these shows, because I can respect how hard it is to improvise when the actors aren’t following a script and relying on random audience members to supply their material. (Want to learn how to improvise? Check out Places Everyone!)

Another great opportunity at a Renaissance Faire is to see a Shakespeare play. Many are performed, usually in abbreviated form. If you are an inspiring actor, experiencing a Shakespeare play is a must. It’s fun to watch how others perfom a particular piece, then try your hand at performing one of the Bard’s works yourself. The abridged format makes it more digestible if you have limited time or actors. 

You can also enjoy many circus type acts with jesters to add the comedic flair, magic to awe you with surprise, acrobats to ooh and ahh at as they fly through the air, and daredevil acts to keep you hanging on the edge of your seat.

Unique Experiences at a Renaissance Faire

Falconry is something unique and different that you don't usually get to see in person. Typically, we see falcons in the wild or at the zoo. In the wild, they are free to fly wherever they please looking for their next meal. In the zoo, they often seem limited because they are in an enclosed space. What’s really cool is to see a falcon with his trainer at the Renaissance Faire. Imagine you are in an open fairground with trees lining the perimeter. The trainer is holding the falcon on his arm then releases him and watches him fly off into the trees. Next thing you know the falcon is returning to his trainers arm again. It’s really cool to watch.

Want to test your skills at axe throwing or archery? You’ve been watching the entertainers, now see what you can do. Is it as easy as it looks, or do you miss by a mile? If you’re anything like me, you want to keep trying until you get it right.

There are also artisans there perfecting their craft making paper, working with metal, and weaving through a loom. They could be making wooden toys, something with leather or the latest weaponry.

Maybe you're not satisfied watching others perform and want to join in the action and be a real part of the show. Did you know you can audition for the cast and work the whole faire? When acting, we try to put ourselves in the position of the character we are portraying. Costumes, props and the right scenery can really help us transform the stage and convince the audience we are really from that time. Imagine an entire fairground all designed to be in the 16th century. What a fun way to explore your craft as an actor.

Benefits of Attending a Renaissance Faire

You do have the time to fit drama into your homeschool with a trip to a Renaissance Faire. You can:

• Step back in time

• Experience multiple performances

• Join in on the fun by dressing up in a costume

• Apply to be one of the actors and enjoy the faire for the entire season

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Don’t want to wait because you want to get started with drama right now… Learn how to do improv and much more with Places Everyone! - drama game fun for the whole semester curriculum and get started today!

Fare thee well! 😀

Danielle at homeschooldrama.com