Julie Jackson, Former Festie
Saiorse O'Dison

Mac's Pub, The Dregs 2002-2005
[submitted 7/10/2006]

pub_lass@yahoo.com

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Amanda Jaeger, Entertainment ~ Commedia dell'Arte
Valentina d'Venizia, actress

I started working at Fest in 2003 at Como Cottage with the Herpetological Society. In 2006, I joined the commedia troupe I Arroganti and cut my stage-acting teeth with them. I have now assumed the director's role in the troupe for the 2008 season.
[submitted 3/2/2008]

fest.commedia@gmail.com

I finally came to Fest in 2000 after years of hounding by a good friend to come and work. After the first weekend I wondered why I ever said no.
[submitted 9/15/2004]

geek23@comcast.net

2004 will be Christopher's 4th year playing Friar Tuck in "The Adventures of Robin Hood". He joined the group when David Runeborg moved from playing Friar Tuck to Little John with Don Preston playing Robin Hood. Chris is the one that does NOT go into the pond during the show - and he is very thankful for that during the last couple weekends each season!
[submitted 4/17/2004]

csjason@aol.com

The 13th son of a 13th son of baron, he has lived on the baron's estate, which is near the village, up until the last few weeks, at which point he was sent out to make his way in the world. I now wander the village while trying to learn how to be a proper peasant, as I have no land or riches to my name. Places I can be found during fest: any and all dirty peasant activities, such as peasant sing-a-long/parade, vilification, etc.. and wandering the village aimlessly trying to be peasant like. I may also be working at treetop stage beginning this second weekend, but that is not firm yet.

teffendr@mninter.net

Went to fest in 05' as a paytron and instantly wanted to work there, started out in 06' as a CKC(Boo) minion hawking Nut Rolls, best known that year for sitting inside my cart one rainy day and singing at the top of my lungs, got upgraded the next year to working with Felix Needleworthy. You can find me either in the booth or walking around handing out brownies from my basket, i'm still working on trying to find a fest name, when not at fest i'm in bloomington MN studying to ubtain my theater degree from NCC, I love you all and i can't wait to go home!
[submitted 7/28/2008]

anjohnson@lycos.com

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Bonnie Johnson, Patron This year (2004) I will collect my fifth key as a Citizen of the Realm, but my sister and I (we have been referred to by some as "The Shade Ladies" because of the parasols we often carry) have been regular attendees for many years more. I have been accused of being addicted to and obsessed with our Faire but I don't understand why people say it as if this is a bad thing. The Faire is my "Brigadoon," that magical place that only appears at regular intervals (it only seems like one hundred years in between). I eagerly look forward to the time when friends come out to play and we may all meet again for songs and laughter. Aye, 'tis a magical place! [submitted 7/29/2004]

ladyblue792@yahoo.com

I started doing Festival back in 83 at the Fencing booth (being a Fencer at the time, it seemed absolutely perfect). The following year I did the Academy thing at Augsberg. During those early years, I was part of the Original Human Combat Chess game, when the Human Chess game was still being performed at Crown Stage, and the "Chess Masters" were Bill Lochen and Howard I-can't-for-the-life-of-me-remember-his-last-name. In 86 I went out of state to college. I didn't come back to festival again until 88. I figured I would ease my way back in, so I went back and helped out at the Fencing booth again. From there I joined the Royal Guard when that formed up, under the auspices of En Garde Unlimited, and once again took part in the Human Combat Chess game. I was a member of the Guard for about 4 years until joining the Royal Court and taking on the guise of Thomas Greystoke (yes, the same Greystoke of Tarzan fame - only several hundred years earlier), Duke of Exeter, Knight of the Garter, Lord High Treasurer, blah, blah, blah. I also took part in the Trail of Terror, in its first year of existence. I did "The Pit and the Pendulum" at Pavilion.

exeter_appleby@yahoo.com

I started going to the RenFest when i was very little but of course, dont remember it. One of my bestfriends in 2003 asked me to tag along with her family to the refest. We dressed as Gypsies b.c it was the Mid East wknd, we entered in the contest they were having me not having ANY experiance of bellydancing i got up there and got 2nd place which i thought was pretty cool! well after that i took up belly dancing and now im a offical troop member of the Sun/moon bellydancers!! !! YAY! You can see me preform during the MidEAst Wknd of the Ren Fest im one the littlest ones there about 5'3-5'4 have brown med. lenght hair, i also have TONZ of flowers im my hair!!! Ill also be probably be up there every wknd so
[submitted 03-01-2005]

tripper4231@yahoo.com

Heather Johnson, Safety Services

I started at the fencing booth in 1999 when I was 21 years old, almost 22. In 2001 I began street entertainment with the Wyrd Sisters along with Molly Thunborg and Jaime Mastel. Outside of the festival I am a single mother of a little girl named Ivy Raine and work at Wells Fargo.

I started at the fencing booth in 2001 and have been there ever since. I sing in my church choir and play the cello in my spare time. I am a major geek, and I like it that way. During the run I can be found at the fencing booth, as I am too shy to go much of anyplace else.
[submitted 8/19/2005]

theladystarhawk@yahoo.com
http://www.fencingbooth.com

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I joined the festival in 2003, I voulenteered my time at the Kings Academy of Arms (fencing booth!) with my sister Heather Johnson (who started in 2000?). I look forward to voulenteering again this summer and many years to come (yes, I work for no pay, sad huh?). Hopefully I can help out in other areas of the MRF, (like my dad's friend's shop Whimsey Winks?) so if you'd like assistance, email me (thanks). I scuplt, paint, dance, sing, act, (hobbies, can you guess?) and would love to learn combat (if anyone can help). I will be starting at MCAD this fall and I can't wait. *grins*
[submitted 2/22/2004]

Z_angel_of_music@yhoo.com
http://www.fencingbooth.com

I have been going to fest since 1999. I got my first season pass in 2001 and a job in a then co-worker's now friend's booth The Ye Olde Bath Shoppe in 2003. I joined the Jaycees in 2006 and no longer work in the Bath Shoppe and still don’t have a character name.
[submitted 8/23/2007]

poetsgrandaughter@yahoo.com

I was a patron at Ren Fest for 15 years until I bcame friends with Jill Bigelow (then Stage Manager of the Bakery Stage). Convinced to audition for academy in 1993, I won over some of the Veterans by facetiously saying, "I want to be part of the Renaissance Festival so I can make lots of money as an actor, make important contacts in the theatre business, and find Mr. Right!". Seeing that beneath the sweet exterior, lay the heart of a Smart A**, they let me into Academy. I went through Academy with the intention of becoming the next Stage Manager of the Bakery Stage. Jill was most eager (almost too eager) to hand it over to me in 1994. I Stage Managed from 1994-1997 and was the Assistant Stage Manager to Kirsten Levison(-Petersen) in 1998. I hope that I have created a warm, friendly atmosphere at the Bakery during my stint in management. The Bakery has been my second home for 10 years. The Panini Family, which includes the Dew Drop Jugglers and Brother Paul, shall always be near and dear to my heart. I am currently the MN Commissioner Clan Johnston/e in America
[submitted 4/27/2006]

DeeLJohnston@mchsi.com

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Jackie & Dennis Johnston, Playtron
Parents of Dee Lorilee

Dennis is the former MN Commissioner of Clan Johnston/e in America
Jackie is currently the National Newsletter Editor for Clan Johnston/e in America

We have been patrons of the Renaissance Festival since 1977 and, if you haven't guessed it by now, we're Scottish. When not enjoying the hospitality of the Beautiful Bakery Babes, we can be found working at the Clan Tent on Scottish Weekend. Stop on by...maybe we're related! (Scary, isn't it!) Jackie is known by some as "The Mother of the Minnesota Tartan". She organized the creation of the Minnesota Tartan and the Minnesota Dress Tartan (MN Senate Resolution passed on 2-4-2002).

I started the show in '87 as a hawker for a crafter, then with a little push from friends I developed a crusty old character, A mix of Yoda, Miracle Max & and the old guy on the Bridge of Death from Monty Python. After a couple of years the fest actually paid me for street entertainment. Then I hired on as site crew, then painter-sign-technician guy. Now I'm no longer on staff, but I am on contract with the fest as a painter and Halloween tech. My new business is called The Distressed Painter, Theatrical building paint & Signs.

paintreni@earthlink.net

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Jim Jordan, Teatro Del Norte
Pyrates of Portobello Captain Jack Barbarosa

I've been a part of fests since my "early years" in Texas. This will be my 19th year here in Minnesota and my 5th year as a performer at MRF. In 2002 I formed the Theatre of the North (Teatro Del Norte) Productions as the parent company for the "Pyrates of Portobello" (PoP) and "DrumQuest". Visit our website at www.theatreofthenorth.org. In 2004 PoP added music to our repertoire, rounding the PoP cast out with wonderful musicians and beautiful voices in addition to our street improv. In addition I've played drum jam for years and been a guest drummer with gypsies as "Gitano the Gypsy. I've also been a guest performer at Scarby, Bristol, SCRPF and TRF and been a contracted performer at the Siouxland Renaissance festival since its inception and lead the Drum Jam there each year. (Where to my knowledge the only limbo drum jam occurs!) In 2005 our carefree pirate days were ended with the vast responsibility of a Letter of Marque from the Queen herself in addition to our wonderful benefactors Lord & Lady Spicer! We now operate a purely legitimate marine "pre-salvage" business with all proper taxes and cargo being properly distributed (to the pence!) to the crown and benefactors. We'll be back again at MRF in 2006 and also the Siouxland Renaissance Festival. Drop by and share a jack of grog!
[submitted 05/19/2006]

seamuspadrig@hotmail.com

James Jorgenson, Shop Worker ~ Wooden Swords

Micky Jorgensen, Shakopee Jaycees
Chesters...er...um...I mean Jesters Pub Mistress

I have been volunteering full-time as a beer wench since 1988. I've worked every beer booth at Fest at some time or another, but my real "home" is Jesters (next to the horse gate) with my best friends, Jay and Nancy. If we're not out front sampling the wares, check in the backyard by the BBQ and flower garden!

MickJorg@aol.com

Zanna Joyce, Royal Court
Lady Beatrice Goodwyn, Handmaiden to Her Majesty Queen Margaret, Keeper of the Queen's Robes

From 1989 to 2001 I came out to MRF as a loyal playtron, and was inspired to join the cast with my daughter, Jem, who plays the hammered dulcimer. My first year I was on the street. This will be my eighth year in the Royal Court as Mistress Beatrice Goodwyn, Handmaiden. My official title is "Mistress of the Bedchamber." (Minds out of the gutter! ) The bearer of this (actual and historical) title was charged with the well being, personal care and comfort of the Queen, supervising among other things, her dressing, eating and sleeping arrangements.
[submitted 8/16/2010]

zanna@mninter.net

[submitted 9/4/2009]