ethod acting isn't acting. Your job as a faire participant is to become someone new and spend your day inhabiting your new persona unless you're backstage. It's silly and fun, it can bring the past to life, and it can be very rewarding. After dressing the part and speaking the part, acting the part is your next step.

It isn't just you. Most people going to faire want the illusion of being somewhere and somewhen else. Patrons might not realize they also want to be someone else. Don't give them the choice -- you're in character, pull them into your world -- rather than allowing them to pull you into their mundane real world.

Helpful tips. For good street conduct as a faire worker, be you guild or boothie, be courteous and polite, keep in character, and have fun.

• Stay in character. Customers are here for the illusion!
• Keep it "real". Ask customers about their day, about their odd clothing, about that giant turkey leg.
• Don't put customers on the spot when gigging. Some people are shy, and don't want to be the center of attention. You can't know until you try, but take a no as a no. Provide customers (and yourself!) with an out such that the gig may be terminated without excessive awkwardness.
• Stay in BFA (Basic Faire Accent). Normal english detracts from the faire experience for the customer. The less you speak in "normal" english, the less you'll be in the habit. For that matter, nothing prevents customers from overhearing you quite like muttered BFA.
• Don't talk about the real world. Don't ask customers about the score at the baseball game, or talk about getting a new computer. Let them enjoy the faire atmosphere. If you're not buying into the fantasy, why are you wearing those funny clothes?
• Don't touch customers physically. You're a scary guy in a costume and while you do this everyday, the customer does not. Offer your arm or a gentle hand on an elbow. Used effectively, this is an excellent way to capture someone's attention. Some people are good at this and some are not -- by no means ever pull on someone.
• Use period plates and utensils whenever possible. A good mug isn't that expensive and on a hot day a huge mug is a blessing. A huge mug of ale is always a blessing.
• Make sure customers water their animals regularly. Most visitors don't realize how hot a faire can be for their pets. Heat and dust will dehydrate an animal very quickly.
• Have fun, remember we're here to have a festival. If we have fun so will the people visiting. Sometimes you must amuse yourself first -- a smile on your face can put a smile on many faces.