The Great Dickens Christmas Fair Missive
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Great Dickens Christmas Fair 2018 - October Missive #3 ~ Workshops!
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Notes from your Missive Maven:
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It's the Wonderful Workshop Missive!
Workshop/Rehearsal Schedules will be posted on the missive site this week.
The Great Costume Missive and the Children's Missive will be forthcoming.
Cat
Please remember to contact the folks referenced in each notice below, rather than hitting "reply".
Cat Taylor
Entertainment Director & Missive Maven
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Overview of Requirements for Performers - including LHC Workshops & Costume Approval
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#1 Sign up for the Missive List
Go to Cat's
Dickens Fair Participants page at
http://cattaylor.com/dickens-fair-participants/ to sign up for the Missive List. In the months preceding the beginning of workshops, you will receive an email missive approximately every one to two weeks, informing you about workshops, performing opportunities at the Fair, and other useful information. Just before we get to workshops and the Fair itself, the frequency will increase to once a week, sometimes more if there's a lot of news. We do not do physical mailings to our performers; the Missives are the only way to stay apprised of all the important information about performing at the Dickens Fair. Missives from last season along with current information can also be found at
http://cattaylor.com/dickens-fair-participants/.
#2 Research!
If you spend much time commuting, listen to some of the Dickens books on tape or CD, to further your knowledge and fire your imagination. Patrick Stewart's Christmas Carol (the audio version) is fabulous and so is the Oliver Twist read by Dick Cavett (no kidding). All of the Dickens books are downloadable for various formats, there are fabulous websites with entire books (accessible from the missive website), and there are movies galore; especially notable is the 1951 Christmas Carol starring Alastair Sim. You are heartily encouraged to actually read the books, too...
#3 Audition
Think about what you would like to do (dance in Fezziwig's, sing with the Carolers, portray a Dickens character) and watch the missives for auditions for that group or character. If you would like to propose a show or know a part in a show you would like to audition for, email Entertainment Director Cat Taylor at
[email protected] and tell her your idea, or ask to be connected to the director of the particular show. Auditions happen before, during and after Workshops, so you will have plenty of time to find a show or group. See #5 below.
#4 Costume Approval
Once you have an idea of what you'll be doing at the Fair, start putting your costume ideas together. There's lots of information on this website, so you can start looking around for appropriate garments. Remember, what you wear is determined by who your character is, so make sure you get the part you're auditioning for before you finalize your costume. Your costume will also have to be approved by the costume department for appropriate fit, style and materials before you will receive your gate pass. For information on costumes and costume approval, please read the 2017 Great Costume Missive at
http://www.cattaylor.com/102517.html; there will be a 2018 version shortly.
Feel free to contact Liz at
[email protected]
at any time throughout the year with your costume questions.
#5 Required Workshops and Rehearsals
The 2018 Workshops begin on October 27th at 10:00AM at Oceana High School in Pacifica.
The Workshops are presented by the Living History Centre.
The Living History Centre Education Director is none other than the illustrious Robert Young, who also portrays Charles Dickens. More workshop information and exact schedule will be announced in forthcoming missives.
- 2018 LHC Workshops will be held at Oceana High School on October 27 and 28, and November 3 and 4 from 10:00AM to 5:00PM.
As always, there will be a
meeting at 10:00AM
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 third weekend of workshops and rehearsals (November 10 and 11) 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 the two above 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 November 3rd (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 very limited build time this hear and there will be much construction equipment, power tools, etc.
The greenroom areas will be available on dress rehearsal weekend.
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New! Workshop Requirements for 2018
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With the new educational partnership between Red Barn Productions and the Living History Centre we will be harkening back to some of the methods that worked so well in the past, including
a renewed focus on the technique we call Theatrical Living History and on the learning process throughout the course of the Fair.
All performers at the Great Dickens Christmas Fair are students of the Living History Centre College of Performing Arts (COPA). Based on the number of years you have participated, you will have different Workshop requirements.
Some of the directors got together at the new LHC library this past week, to discuss our past becoming prologue, in a rather exciting emphasis not only on the art that we create, but the education that we offer.
As part of this renewed emphasis, we are returning to the three-tiered performer guidelines.
- Apprentices (New Folks) are required to take 7 workshops.
- Journeymen (2 to 5 Years) are required to take 5 workshops.
- Masters (6 Years or more) are required to take 3 workshops.
Apprentices (New Folks) are required to take the following seven classes:
- Orientation I: A Beginner's Guide to Life And Times in Our London
- Orientation II: All You Need to Know about Dickens Fair - A Survival Guide
- Either Victorian or Cockney language (Irish or Scots may be substituted for those whose characters specifically require these)
- Physical Characterization
- The "How to Pass Costume Approval" class
- An Improv/Acting class (will be marked with an "A" on the class schedule)
- A Social History class (will be marked with an "S" on the class schedule)
Please note that Physical Characterization is a prerequisite for the Character Lab and other improv/acting labs. Please do not try to take the labs if you have not yet taken the Physical Characterization workshop.
Journeymen and Masters (Dickens Fair Veterans)
Journeymen please take these five workshops:
- A language workshop
- An in-depth character or acting/improv workshop (marked with an "A" on the schedule), AND
- A social history workshop of your choice (Marked with an "S" on the schedule)
- Elective
- Elective
Masters please take three workshops*:
- A language workshop
- An in-depth character or acting/improv workshop (marked with an "A" on the schedule), AND
- A social history workshop of your choice (marked with an "S" on the schedule).
*You are encouraged to take more workshops. Support and model for newer participants, and give us feedback on the workshop. We aim to provide new workshops every year for your education, preparation and delight.
Class Size Limitations
Some classes can only accept a limited number of people at one time in order to functionally teach their class. Please arrive at that class early if that is the only time you can take it. If any of the teachers turn you away because their class is full, please do not argue, but come back at another time.
NOTE: We further encourage Journeymen and Masters to plan to take Workshops on Week 2 and not try to complete all their requirements on Week 1. The Week 1 classes need to have room for new folks too! Week 2 Workshops very often have plenty of room.
Take Lots of Workshops!
We encourage you to take as many workshops as possible; they are meant to be both fun and educational, and will help you make your way more credibly and enjoyably through the streets of our London.
It may seem like old hat to some of you, but to have a real ensemble cast, we all need to work together and remember that we really are creating our version of Victorian England and should be representing our characters *ALL THE TIME* when in front of the audience. Workshops are the best way to make that happen.
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Paperwork: What You Will Need to Get Your Pass (including photo)
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Your Checklist:
#1 A completed, printed, online registration form with:
#2 Your director's or booth owner's signature
#3 Costume Approval from the official costume department
#4 Sign-offs from the appropriate number of workshop teachers (see above requirements)
#5 Once the form is complete, you bring it and your ID to the pass house, where your
information is entered into the system, checked for your name on a cast list and Fastrak approval, and you're given a photo ticket with your last name on it.
#6 Take the photo to the photo operator, where they match it to the database and take the photo.
The photo pass is ready in approx. 2 minutes.
Important Note:
The photo system will not be available until the second weekend of workshops, so passes will not be issued on the first weekend of workshops. To help alleviate lines, the pass house will also be open
Friday, Nov. 9th and
Friday, Nov. 16th
9am-5pm at the Cow Palace.
Special Notes:
Your name must be on a cast list at the office, and your director must have signed your registration form before your pass will be issued. Directors will only sign registration forms after all appropriate workshop classes and costume approval have been completed.
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Rules and Workshops for Minors (Under 18) and Their Guardians
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There will be a detailed children's missive coming out soon, but here's the basic registration information:
Age specifications:
0 - 4 No registration form needed
5 -17 Registration form, with all appropriate signatures and approvals, plus guardian information.
18 - up Registration form, with all appropriate signatures and approvals.
- Minors will not be granted a gate pass unless their registration and volunteer agreement are properly completed.
- Minors must have an onsite guardian at all times.
Taking on the role of guardian for a minor at the Dickens Fair is more than just signing a piece of paper. It means that you are responsible for that minor in their parent's stead.
Here are the required workshops:
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Update & Clarification on New Cow Palace Parking Passes
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The new parking passes will be window stickers. This is a Cow Palace requirement, and is primarily to insure the strict Cow Palace policy that parking passes may only be used by registered participants and not friends and family members. Please also have your gate passes available when you drive into the parking lot, as they may be checked. Participant parking passes are still only $30.00.
Due to some Cow Palace parking lot layout changes, parking is also at a premium this year. We sincerely appreciate your assistance in reducing the number of parking passes needed for our participant community by coordinating ride sharing.
Important Note on Parking Pass Sharing:
Because the parking passes are now hi-tech window stickers, they are only transferable between vehicles with advance permission. If you plan to share a parking pass between registered participants using multiple vehicles on different days, simply let us know at the time of purchase. We will then provide an official clear plastic mount for your pass so it can be shared between vehicles. Affixing the sticker to the (inside) of your windshield is still best as it will prevent loss. We are only allowed a limited number of the plastic mounts.
Please do not lose your parking pass as replacements will cost $30.00 and may not be available as the Cow Palace provides only a limited number. If you do not have a parking pass, the Cow Palace parking staff will charge you $12.00 per day. Again, parking passes may ONLY be used by registered participants and gate passes will be frequently be checked at the entrance to all parking lots.
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Notes From the Costume Department
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(from Liz Martin)
Never fear, the great costume missive will be forthcoming within the next week.
Still need to have something made?
Here's a list of costumers who are still taking commissions:
Debra Sherman
Located in Oakland, 50 years experience. Theatrical work, bridal, antique restorations, millinery etc
Denise Pieracci
East Bay, also San Francisco and South Bay
Specialty is tailored menswear and Victorian gowns, working with lace is a particular specialty of mine.
Carol Wood
Womenswear, but I can do men's and children's,
Mary Ann Hadley
Sonoma County
I am willing to come to Daly City during the Fair
Specialty: Corsetry, Historic costumery, millinery, women's costumes.GBACG/5 years exp
Mae Matos
Pacifica, San Mateo County area
Barbara Ebel
Bonnets & hats
Jacqueline Palacios
Headwear; bonnets, day caps,, men's caps, etc.
Repairs
Calvaleigh Rasmussen
--I live in Berkeley, and am happy to take work from anyone will to travel to Berkeley. I'm also happy to travel to people who live within easy bicycling distance of Berkeley. ;-)
--Specialty: I'm great with repairs of all sorts, and am generally equipped for fixing most costume pieces. As far as things I'm willing to make/work on, I will do pieces, but not whole costumes, given my schedule this year. I am also happy to help people with making costumes if they would like to be involved in their costume, but don't quite know how to do it without a guiding hand. I will do corset repairs, but will not sew corsets from scratch.
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Please, Be Respectful of the Classrooms
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Please remember that we are guests and should be careful not to disturb someone else's home.
Over the past few years, we had complaints from parents and teachers about students artwork being damaged, teacher's desks being rearranged, trash and other issues that almost cost us the use of the school. Since then, someone takes pictures of the classrooms each morning to make sure anything that might have been moved can be put back properly that evening.
Please be respectful and remind our younger participants to be respectful.
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A Note on Video & Photos at Workshops - Ask First
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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.
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Please, Do Not Bring Animals to Workshops!
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We are not allowed to have them at the school. Please do not endanger our relationship with the school by bringing them.
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Finding Our Way & Remembering Our Manners
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Oceana is a lovely school and there will be quite a lot of us showing up on Saturday morning, so please arrive early and allow some extra time for parking and reconnoitering.
Important: There will be two parking lots and two entrances to the school, one from each parking lot (please see map on missive site). Please follow directions from the parking attendants/security staff. Please do not park in the first small parking lot you see on Paloma, near the tennis courts. That is reserved for patrons of the Oceana Pool, and it will upset a lot of people if any of us park there. Continue up the street to the entrance to the school parking lot, to which you will be directed by staff or signs.
Special Note: Please carpool if possible. If you arrive late and there is no parking left in the lot, please be careful not to block people's driveways. That happened last year and we'd prefer not to upset the neighbors.
The Morning Meeting will be in the Cafeteria, there will be signs directing you.
Please park only where you are instructed to by security personnel.
Please do not move furniture in the classrooms if you can possibly help it, or unless authorized by one of the workshop teachers. In order to disrupt the school functions as little as possible, everything must be left exactly as we found it.
Please pick up after yourself and the people around you.
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Breakfast & Lunch at Workshops
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Patrick Morris will once again have food for sale at all three workshop weekends. Expect many tasty treats for both breakfast and lunch.
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Local Hotel Deals
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We have negotiated some good deals with local area hotels. These are to be used by Dickens Fair Participants and their families only. For each hotel, the deal is subject to availability so sooner is better.
The "promo code" is: "Charles Dickens" or "Dickens Fair" for both of the below hotels. Please call the numbers below to inquire about price and availability. No online booking is possible for these promotional prices.
1. Dial 650-583-7300 (for both hotels)
2. Dial 0 to reach the front desk directly.
3. The front desk will make the reservations at the property level (when option #1 is pressed, it goes to the central reservation line which handles calls for all other guests).
The Ramada Inn $85.00 plus taxes of $12.50 (subject to availability)
http://www.ramadasanfranciscoairport.com/
721 Airport Blvd. S. San Francisco 94080
650-583-7300
The Days Inn (same owner as Ramada, smaller property) $85.00 plus taxes of $12.50 (subject to availability)
http://daysinnsfairport.com/location/
1113 Airport Blvd. S. San Francisco 94080
650-873-9300
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Reminder: Performer & Merchant Online Registration for the 2018 Great Dickens Christmas Fair
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We will once again be using the Eventbrite system for participant registration, as we do for the tickets to the Dickens Fair. This system is for all participants in all categories.
Everyone enters their registration information, and by clicking the appropriate boxes, will have extra fields to fill in based on what they're doing at the fair.
Please also note that there is a place to acknowledge that you have received and read the
Participant Handbook, which can now be found on the missive site at
Booth owners and booth workers - complete the online registration form and agree to the terms and conditions. You will receive a confirmation email from Eventbrite. Print out the "Ticket" and bring to the Passhouse after your booth owner and the costume director have signed off. You are heartily encouraged, but not required, to take Workshops. Most importantly, the Orientation and Language workshops.
Performers - Complete this online registration form and agree to the terms and conditions. You will receive a confirmation email from Eventbrite. Print out the "Ticket," and bring to Workshops. Read on...
The 2018 Workshop program is presented by
The Living History Centre, a California not-for-profit educational organization. All performers will be student volunteers of the Living History Centre College of Performing Arts. You will be asked to complete the LHC Volunteer agreement, including a list of benefits you receive as a Volunteer. As in the past, those receiving compensation will contract directly with Red Barn Productions as well.
In order to receive a Fair gate pass and other benefits of participation, each performer must complete a list of required workshops, receive costume approval, then be cast into a performing group at the Fair and obtain your director's signature on your registration form. Completion of the workshop program does not guarantee participation in the Dickens Christmas Fair.
Workshop Dates & Location
The 2018 LHC Workshops will be held at Oceana High School in Pacifica, on October 27th & 28th, November 3rd & 4th and at the Cow Palace on the Saturday November 10th from 10:00AM to 5:00PM.
As always, there will be an important meeting at 10:00AM on the first day of workshops. This meeting is where 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 and will make announcements.
Read the missives at http://cattaylor.com/dickens-fair-participants/ and look for auditions for groups that interest you.
The third weekend of the LHC workshops and rehearsals (November 10th and 11th) 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 in Fezziwigs.
Come in costume to this meeting, there will be pictures!
Once you have completed the pre-fair process you will take the completed Eventbrite receipt/registration form to the Pass House to be validated (scanned) and checked against the cast lists so you can receive your gate pass. This allows us to have everyone's information in a computerized system in case of emergency etc, without having to enter every registration form manually.
This year, starting on the second workshop weekend, we will also be taking pictures for our new
fancy gate passes, so p
asses will not be available on the first weekend on workshops. More on the new passes soon.
All participants will still need to be on one of the director or booth owner lists, which will be cross-checked when each person brings their completed registration form to the registration desk or pass house.
The Registration Form-
This registration process will of course not be available to the general public so you will need a password to access.
The URL:
https://dcfparticipantregistration.eventbrite.com
The password is:
Registration@DCF2018
The password is case sensitive.
Please get registered soon and we will see you October 27th at workshops!
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Reminder: The Move to MailChimp is Taking Longer Than Expected
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Evidently my missive formatting is special, or at least uncommon, so finding or creating a template to accommodate it has been difficult. If you know someone who is only signed up for MailChimp and not Constant Contact, please have them check the missive page to read anything that they might have missed. If you'd like to re-sign up for the Constant Contact missives in the meantime, please do so
here
: Thanks.
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Reminder: Facebook Ride Sharing Group
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Just a reminder that there is a Dickens Fair ride sharing group at
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Contact Information
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For specific questions regarding performing at the Fair, please email Cat Taylor
If your group would like to perform at the Fair for just one day (school caroling groups, etc.)
please email Robert Young
For specific questions regarding vending at the Fair please email Vendors
For specific questions the beverage department please email Beverage
For questions regarding costumes, please email Costumes
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