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Volume 38 Issue 9
February 13, 2001

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Long ago, not far away
The Renaissance Festival returns to the East Valley

BY BECKY RASMUSSEN
MESA LEGEND
Submitted February 13, 2001

Bob Estrin/MESA LEGEND

MCC student, Shanna Gay and her fellow actors tease a patron at the 2001 Renaissance Festival.

Nestled in the quaint town of Gold Canyon, another era is brought to life, an era of romance and chivalry. The Renaissance Era, a time when life was simple.

As the gates open at the Renaissance Festival each day, visitors are drawn into a medieval village, which is throwing a fair for visiting royalty.

"Once you step through the gate, there’s a transformation that takes place for the patrons," said Kent Shelton, who has been jousting as the leader of the king’s knights for several years at the Arizona Renaissance Festival.

Bob Estrin/MESA LEGEND

MCC student Shanna Gay leads a pack of eccentric Renaissance Festival actors. The Renaissance Festival runs through March 25, Saturdays and Sundays.

"It’s immediate," Shelton said. "There’s music and dancers, jugglers, acrobats,the atmosphere, the medieval buildings. Everything is happening right away."

The entire 30-acre village is a living theater, with a cast of over 1,000 actors, artisans, musicians and dancers in colorful costumes, creating merriment all around.

MCC student, Shanna Gay, is what the Renaissance folk would call a "weekender." Every season, for the past three years, she has devoted her weekends to the Renaissance Festival.

Gay portrays an 8-year-old Irish gypsy, also known as a tinker.

This newly created role was not her first choice in her initial audition, but she happily admits now that she is one of the original tinkers at the Festival.

Gay became involved in the Renaissance Festival three years ago when her Gilbert High School acting teacher encouraged her students to audition.

"I have so much fun that I forget the reality around me," Gay added.

Every December interested participants are required to audition. Almost everyone who auditions is given a role.

They are then invited to take part in nine training workshops, put on by a professional acting instructor.

Bob Estrin/MESA LEGEND

Shanna Gay, an MCC student, get trampled at the Renaissance Festival

"As a veteran, I am not required to attend the workshops, but it’s a good refresher and the instructor is so knowledgeable," Gay said. "I am also able to pick up and share ideas with the other cast members. It’s just a lot of fun," she added.

Prior to participating she had only been a patron at the Festival, who looked forward to attending each year and taking part in the array of entertainment.

"I will always be involved in the Renaissance," said Gay. "I’m a ‘lifer.’ The festival is a place to cut loose and leave your cares behind, a place not to worry," Shelton said.

The Renaissance Festival is open Saturdays and Sunday, and will run through March 25.

The festival opens at 10 a.m. and closes at 6 p.m. For more information on the Renaissance Festival, call (520) 463-2700, or go to www.royalfaires.com.

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