I guess i couldn't pass up answering this thread, even after I read through it all.

There are definate stages of performers/rennies/re-enactors- and the pay will vary with each of them. It comes down to a basic principle here : if you draw crowds to the faire you get paid more. The ones doing it for the hat or $25 a day DO NOT have an "show or Act" that people want to see. Although there are many many talented people around doing the side shows. (so don't yell at me here about not wanting to see them) I starterd going to faires in 89, and really enjoyed watching the shows, then about 94 i started "acting and Playing" more, but still held no real part in the show. ( or responsibility for that part) Then in 96 I Started "working shows" I started to treat it not as fun, but as a job.. what a difference in my focus. I have played instruments for 25 years now, and about 5 years ago started singing again.. As it stands now, this is my day job, I just recorded my first CD due out in NOV of this year, and I expect to to be paid for what I do, to include my travel and other expenses. My point being I treat it like a job, I would rather be on the stge then watching so I take what I do VERY seroiusly and strive to get better all the time. Which means a rehearsal schedule and voice coaches, and alot of other stuff. One thing i have learned over the years, is people get "caught up " in faires, and their performance skills get blown up as they talk to people about working at the faire since it looks like fun. Everyone who wants to perform has played an instrument in the high school band , but hasn't picked it up in years, they can sing, but not with a stage voice so people can hear them, or they don't lose there voice. I do not mean to sound harrsh, but to defend the professionals out there who WORK HARD to bring the performances to life for everyone, this is a very tough buisness, and they do a great job just getting up on stage to be judged harshly by those who could not or would not be able to do what the performers are doing. NOw that my rant is over.. i hope that clears up a bit of the difference between a performer and a rennie/re-enactor/playtron(playtrin- apparently there's a difference) Jill