The goal of workshops is to create not just an event, but a world. Our visitors comment regularly in social media about being transported to another place and time, and no one else does that the way that we do. In order for a world to really thrive, its' inhabitants need to not only look their characters and act their characters, they need to *think* their characters. This allows us all to really become other people and it's a lot of fun, both for our audience and for us. 

So the theme for workshops this year is... "a penny for your thoughts"... get it?
(for those of you who are new, read the penultimate paragraph of the plot on this page) 

That means you get an extra hour of sleep after the first day of workshops, which we'll all probably need...

We are using the EventBrite system as we do for the tickets to the Dickens Fair.   

Workshops and rehearsals begin at 10AM November 1st,  at Oceana High School in Pacifica and run until approximately 5:00PM.

As always, there will be a mandatory meeting at 10:00AM in the cafeteria on the first day of workshops. This meeting is always a lot of fun and a little crazy; announcements are made, staff, directors and workshop leaders are introduced, and there is general amusement had by all. Some of the directors will still be looking for people; they will announce whether they are. Read the missives and look for groups that interest you. You must be part of a group to work at the Fair, whether it's caroling, dancing at Fezziwig's or being a Dickens character. Don't be shy; ask questions of the directors and see if it's what you want to do and might be good at.

The workshop/rehearsal schedule, for the first two weekends, workshop descriptions and workshop map will be available shortly on the missive page and will be announced in a forthcoming missive. The schedule for the third workshop/dress rehearsal weekend at the Cow Palace will be posted a bit later
 
Workshops will continue November 2nd, 8th and 9th. The third weekend of workshops and rehearsals (November 15th and 16th) will be held at the Cow Palace, with a limited number of workshops taught on Saturday. No workshops will be taught on Sunday; that will be dress rehearsal day, which will also include a 10:00AM morning meeting. 
Please plan on attending these meetings; they're our only chance to have all of our performers in one place, all at the same time. 

Note: Stakeout for the vendors isn't until the 8th (at the Cow Palace), so it will not be available the first weekend of workshops.  Please do not go to the Cow Palace until dress rehearsal weekend unless you are building a booth or environmental area, as we have limited build time and there will be much construction equipment, power tools, etc. The Green Room areas will be available on dress rehearsal weekend. 

 #1 A completed, printed online registration form with:

 New Folks

(from Liz Martin) 

 Please be careful with your passes!

Although we are not charging a registration fee this year, we will still be charging for replacement passes.

They are not only a ticket to the fair, they allow entrance to our backstage areas, which could be a safety concern for participants and their valuables. 

Participant tickets are still only $15 for adults and $8 for children.  Participant tickets are good ANY weekend - an even better value with the higher price of the final two weekends!  The ONLY regularly available lower priced ticket is the Twilight Special of $13 Adult, $8 child (good after 4 PM each Fair day).  You may use credit cards at workshops and at the pass house.  Participant tickets are not available on line and may only be purchased in person, and with a current 2014 gate pass.

Patrick Morris will once again have food for sale at all three workshop weekends. Expect many tasty treats for both breakfast and lunch.

Please, there is no smoking allowed anywhere on Oceana High School grounds.

We are not allowed to have them at the school. Please do not endanger our relationship with the school by bringing them. 

Please,  before you shoot that video, or take photographs with the intention of posting either online, ask the subject whether it is all right with them.  Most especially, video should not be taken in workshop classes or rehearsals without the approval of the teacher or director.

 You can find directions here: http://ohs.juhsd.net/?PageName=%27Directions%27

or

From the East Bay
After the crossing the Bay Bridge, follow signs to 101 south
After passing Cesar Chavez exit merge to the right lane
At the Hwy 101/Hwy280 split, take Hwy 280 on the right
Take the Hwy 1 South exit
As you come down the hill into Pacifica, take Paloma offramp (2nd exit)
Turn left at the stop sign, onto Paloma
As you come to the next stop, you will see a sign directing you to parking.

From the North Bay and San Francisco
(After crossing the GG Bridge)
Take 19th Avenue south, which will merge into Hwy 280 south
Take the Hwy 1 South exit
As you come down the hill into Pacifica, take Paloma offramp (2nd exit)
Turn left at the stop sign, onto Paloma
As you come to the next stop, you will see a sign directing you to parking.

From the South Bay and Peninsula
Take Hwy 101 North

After passing the airport, take the 380 connection to 280 North

Take the Hwy 1 South/Pacifica exit

As you go up the hill stay in the left lanes

After coming down the hill into Pacifica take the second exit (Paloma)

Turn left at the stop sign (onto Paloma)

At the next stop sign look for the Workshop Parking sign.

(from Norman Bradley)

Here's how to get to Oceana High School. Take Sam Trans bus number 112 from the Colma BART station and get off at Palmetto and Paloma and walk up the hill. The important times are: in the morning leave BART @ 08:50 arrive at about @ 09:15, in the afternoon catch the bus @ 17:42 arrive at BART @ 18:16. These are the first and last buses on the weekend. 

For the Cow Palace Take either the MUNI 9 (San Bruno) or Sam Trans 292 and walk up the hill.   

There is a Dickens Fair ride sharing group at  

(from Mark Ungar)

Audio engineering background preferred. Must be able to troubleshoot professional audio equipment on the fly - the show must go on! 10 AM to 7 PM, with breaks. It is also possible to split this job into two shifts between two qualified people. It's a costumed position, obviously.

Please send resumes to Mark Ungar at [email protected]

(from Gerald Zepeda)

Dastardly Villain, Sultry Villainess, and  Lovely Ing�nue, seek a Dashing Young Hero for theatrical shenanigans... Jack is Back!  is a fun comedic melodrama adapted and directed by Gerald Zepeda.

Hero: male, appear 20s thru 30s; Villainess.

Rehearsals: All pre-Fair Weekends, Sat. 11/1 thru Sun. 11/16 and Sat & Sun. 10/25 & 10/26.

Requirements: Must attend all scheduled rehearsals and performances. May be required to take some Dickens Fair workshops.

Auditions / Info:

Contact Gerald Zepeda by email... [email protected]  or  [email protected]  or text (510) 693-1161 as soon as possible.

(from Laura Gregory ) 

 That's right - Mad Sal needs a couple of big, strong, handsome (you know, Sal loves handsome men!) men to act as Doormen / Bodyguards / Bouncers / House Managers. This is a paid position.