Fezziwig's Workshop FAQ
For the Great Dickens Christmas Fair
NOTE: the data except the dates applies to most years
Where and When are Dickens Fair workshops? Workshops will be on site at the Cow Palace All workshop days start at 10am See the schedule page for dates.
What is the Schedule for Fair?
Weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas 11am to 7pm
What do I have to do before faire starts?
Attend enough of the workshop dates to satisfy your workshop requirements (at least 2 days). Attend the late afternoon Fezziwig rehearsals each day that you are there, locations will change so listen to announcements. Learn the games and songs as well as the dances. Each person must fill out a character profile and write out the directions to one game or set dance - make this introduction as brief and as in Character as possible.
What do I have to pay for?
There is a $10 insurance charge, paid only once. If you want a parking pass, run of faire, it will be available to performers at $30, which is half of the usual rate.
Can I get participant tickets at a special rate?
Yes
Am I going to be paid?
Well, no. And you have to provide your own costume, though we will help all that is humanly possible. There will be certain perks, which will make your life at faire a bit easier and more comfortable. We will make certain that you are made aware of them.
I've attended (or not attended) the optional pre-faire practices. Does that mean I am automatically accepted (or not)?
Alas, no. There will be a number limit. We hope to cast many of you, but we can't cast all of you. We will have to make the difficult choices and balance the cast by number and ability within the permissible quantity.
Can I do Fezziwigs and be part of a Book cast that does street scenes?
Yes, up to a certain number of you can. You may be regarded as Drop-in and may technically report to either Robert Young or David (or whoever is doing the check ins) each morning.
When will we know who has been accepted as Fezziwig's cast?
Dress weekend, the cast list will be sent to the email list. If for some reason you wish to withdraw before that, please make sure that you inform David (Mr. Leonowens). Observance of this courtesy will certainly affect your casting in future faires.
Please Note: This faire is auditioning everybody. We are performers rather than participants; they are looking for a higher level of professionalism. We have used the optional situations to give us a chance to look at you folks at more leisure, to that extent it gives you a better chance to be appreciated if you come to them. But for those of you who will be joining us on during workshops for the first time, you will get your chance. We have not automatically filled the ranks already.
What do I do at workshops?
Sign up at the Fezziwig Table on the first day and get your name tag. (If you miss the 3rd, see David Batzloff, (Mr. Leonowens), to get your tag). This gives us a chance to know who you are when we come to your application, if you have a Dickens character or not, and who it is, and for your directors to get a look at your skills as you take workshops. Then come to the late afternoon rehearsal and find out more.
Classes you Must Take:
Language, either Cockney or VicSpeak
Manners Upper and Lower class
Orientation
Dance at the appropriate level

Cathleen requests that Fezziwiggers join in her workshops as often as possible in order to help new dancers, however do not do so if it means you are missing the only chance to take a required workshop OR her room is already full.

The other classes are recommended, but not required

What classes are available
Not a complete list, but here are the ones we know about:
Orientation and Introduction to Dickens London
Victorian Speech
Manners
Cockney Speech and Manners
Dance (Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced)
Characterization & Street Theatre
Victorian Song
Hallelujah Chorus
Victorian Performing Styles
Where can I get more information?
Keep an eye on the Fezziwig's website, the Fair's website. also you can ask our directors questions by email. (see the contacts page), for the email impaired, there is a fezziwig's phone message at 415-869-2825 which will relay any important information, and you can leave a message there also.
Again, plan to attend the late afternoon Fezziwig rehearsals each day that you attend workshops, locations will change so listen to announcements. We will neither wish to nor be able to answer the same question for each of you individually.