A New You at the Renaissance Faire
Aye, lords and ladies! While reading Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare’s take of star-crossed lovers, you’ve been transported to the Renaissance Era and are now a contemporary of the Bard. Thou canst ne’er wear jeans and a t-shirt in Elizabethan times. Verily, thou must create a “new you.” Thou must learn how to dress, how to speak, what to eat, and how to live the daily life of the Renaissance people.
Good morrow and fair-thee-well!
Building a Character
First, you need to create a new you. Check out the website:
After completing the questionnaire, you will be matched with an occupation which suits you. You will be using websites to research the areas of clothing, language, daily life, and an overview of a Renaissance Faire. Then you will complete a character analysis worksheet about your “new you.”
Helpful websites:
General:
Renaissance names:
Clothing:
Jobs:
its.guilford.k12.nc.us/act/grade6/gr6_files/dowk_jobs/jobs.doc
(or google: Renaissance Jobs)
Creating a Booth:
Now that you have created your character, your group will be creating a booth that will be presented during our renaissance fair. You will present your booth to a group of elementary students from the elementary school. You and your booth will be graded on your booth brochure, costuming, language, the look of the booth itself, and your participation in the presentation.
Other ideas to Google:
music
tarot cards or palm reading
dancing
embroidery
calligraphy
jewelry making
storytellers
jesters
crafts
When planning your booth/activity, consider:
-
Are you going to make products to sell to Faire guests, like manuscripts or spices?
-
Are you going to create and display models or artwork?
-
Are you going to decorate your booth to recreate a historical place, like a cathedral?
-
Are you going to provide your guests a service, like fortune-telling?
-
Are you going to do a performance for your guests, like a poetry reading or a puppet show?
-
Are you going to allow your guests to take part in an activity, like carving soap sculptures or making jewelry?
We will have four in-class work days, but do not plan to do ALL your work for the Faire in class!
Some booth ideas: food, games, arts and crafts, sword fights, acting, dramatic readings, gypsies, and music
Helpful Websites:
or
google your specific idea
Note: You will receive specific information about your brochure later.
Renaissance Faire Requirements:
Clothing: You will be graded on appropriate Renaissance attire. For girls, this means a long (to the floor) dress or long skirt and blouse. No spaghetti straps or strapless types of dresses or shirts will be permitted. The best would be a long skirt and blouse. Flat shoes or sandals would be appropriate and hair should be worn up. For guys, your outfit would be the same type of long-sleeved dress shirt and short pants with long socks. A white long-sleeved dress shirt would be best, and either cargo shorts or some type of pants rolled up. Knee-height white socks and shoes (not athletic) would be most appropriate.
Some online suggestions include:
Either Gender:
-
Shirt: off-white or dyed, with full sleeves
-
Cape: reaches only to small of the back and is used as a decorative item
-
Cloak: ankle-length and hooded; used for warmth
-
Muffin Cap: loose cap with a floppy top
-
Biggins: close fitting hat to keep the head warm or other hats clean
Women:
-
Bodice: A tight fitting vest which supports the bosom
-
Skirts: In two layers, an overskirt and an underskirt
-
Chemise: A one piece loose undergarment
-
Snood: A loose woven hairnet
Men:
-
Jerkin: A vest
-
Doublet: Another overshirt buttoning all the way up the front; sometimes has detachable sleeves
-
Breeches: Pants by another name without pockets
-
Slops: Baggy trousers, generally cut to mid-thigh
-
Hose: Knitted stockings worn under slops
Booth: You will have either a ½ a round or rectangular table or a space on the floor, whichever is appropriate for your booth. You need to have a tablecloth if you use a table. All areas need a SIGN that includes: your booth name, some advertising, directions for game, menu, stories to choose from, etc. It should be large, clear and neat.
Brochure: Each group needs to create a tri-fold brochure (use Microsoft Publisher) that advertises your booth and gives extra background information on your presentation. This will be displayed at your booth during the fair. Don’t forget to include pictures!
Presentation: I will be coming around during the faire to grade your booth and presentation to the students. You should interact with the students as much as possible. This includes encouraging them to visit your booth, talking in Renaissance language, etc.
|