Listed below is a selection of roles that are available for our 2026 season, it is not a complete character list nor is it a final. (This list may be updated periodically prior to the auditions in late August.)
**PAGE UPDATED ON JULY 22nd**
Special Events & Marketing Characters
We are building a team of fun and interesting characters that work with the marketing department on show days to help make our special events great! Personalities for the following characters are variable and can be tailored to each performer’s preference. This is a specialized group of performers that will move around the site to help with Contests, VIPs, Weddings, and Media events on site each show day. Group members must be comfortable being in the spotlight and playing host to special guests.
Duchess/Duke of Fairhaven. Age 21+. Upper Class costume. The role is a liaison with the Marketing and Promotions department that will help with special events during show days. This includes being the Master of Ceremonies for all Themed Weekend Contests, Hosting VIPs and Contest Winners, and participating in Media events on site each show day. Performer must feel confident leading a large group. (NOTE: This role may also involve using modern technology such as streaming video services and smartphones. Social media knowledge would be extremely helpful.)
Leonardo da Vinci's Apprentice. Age 18+. Lower Class costume. Science and education focused character. Must be comfortable in front of a camera. Highly enthusiastic about STEM (or STEAM) education topics, this character will be featured in several ways both before the season begins as well as having unique opportunities during the show days. (NOTE: This role may also involve using modern technology such as streaming video services and smartphones. Social media knowledge would be extremely helpful.)
Revelry Team. Age 21+. All Costume Levels. This is a small team of characters that focus on Special Events and being VIP Hosts to support the Duke/Duchess of Fairhaven as they make the day special for our patrons. Characters can vary.
Pirates at the Mermaid Grotto - Age 18+. Pirate/Peasant Class Costume. FAMILY FRIENDLY. Personalities are variable and can be tailored to each performer’s preference. This group assists the mermaids with moving between the water and land, sets up/shuts down the Mermaid Grotto each show day, assists with patron lines and traffic, and anything else needed.
Stage Crew & Sound Technicians. All Ages. Middle and Lower Class costume. Includes stage managers, running/props crew, and line control. The crew members will help make sure that the stages run smoothly on show days. Sound Technicians will be focused on maintaining volume levels and troubleshooting any issues that come with the sound equipment.
Joust Rabble Rousers. Age 18+. Middle Class costume. This crew’s ultimate goal is to make sure that the Joust Arena and its attending audience is safe and entertained. They are rabble rousers/cheerleaders, entertainers, and crowd control for a 5000-person arena. They make sure the tilt field and arena are ready for the show, the crowd is safe and having fun, and that everyone enters and exits safely. This is a specialized extension of Stage Crew.
Historical Characters in the Lanes
For these characters the word "historical" simply means that their names have been pulled from real people in history. That's it. We have no expectations that these characters will be "historically accurate" because that is impossible without an actual time machine. We want the performers of these roles to have an understanding of who the people were, but not feel limited by what history has told us about them.
Mansa Musa of Mali. All Ages. Upper Class costume. Leader of Mali Empire.
William Shakespeare / Geoffrey Chaucer / Kit Marlowe. All Ages. Middle Class costumes. English writers.
Joan of Arc. All Ages. Middle Class costume. French soldier.
Ibn Battuta. All Ages. Middle Class costume. Moroccan explorer.
Johannes Gutenberg. All Ages. Middle or Upper Class costume. Inventor.
Nostradamus. All Ages. Middle Class costume. Physician and seer.
Anyone else in history that would be a good addition to the festival will be considered! If you have a character idea for yourself then we want to hear it... please feel free to suggest someone that lived between 1200-1600 and we will consider adding them to the cast list.
Tailor Shop (the Swift Tailors) - NEW in 2026!!
All ages and genders. Middle Costume levels. All roles listed here will be demonstrating their skills during show days and helping construct real historical outfits to be put on display for the patrons.
Embroiderer. All Ages. Middle Class costume.
Knitter. All Ages. Middle Class costume.
Lace Maker. All Ages. Middle Class costume.
Milliner. All Ages. Middle Class costume.
With Foolish Intent (the Jesters of Fairhaven)
Will Sommers. Age 21+. Any Costume level. Historical Jester/Fool.
Jane Foole. Age 21+. Any Costume level. Historical Jester/Fool.
The Fool. Age 21+. Any Costume level. Literary Jester/Fool from King Lear.
Free-For-All Moore. Age 21+. Any Costume level. Original Jester/Fool.
Hullabaloo Blue. Age 21+. Any Costume level. Original Jester/Fool.
English Nobility and Upper Class Characters
Royal Guards. All Ages and genders. Upper Class costume. Closest friends and protectors of the Royal Family.
Royal Family of England. Age 16-20. Upper Class costume.
Ambassadors from around the world. All ages and genders. Upper Class costume.
All ages and genders. Lower or Middle class costumes. Personalities are defined by classic characters in Commedia, which are the origins for many modern popular character stereotypes.
Literary Characters Brought to Life
All ages and genders. Lower, Middle, or Upper class costumes. Personalities are defined by literary characters from well known Medieval and Renaissance books and poems.
Nick Bottom. From A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Sir Percival / Sir Gawain. From the Legends of King Arthur.
Athos / Porthos / Aramis. From The Three Musketeers.
Hamlet / Rosencranz / Guildenstern. From Hamlet.
Scheherazade. From One Thousand and One Nights.
Robin Hood / Will Scarlet / Robin Hood's Gang. From the Legends of Robin Hood.
Juliet’s Nurse / Mercutio. From Romeo & Juliet.
Sancho Panza. From Man of la Mancha.
Trouble-All / Bristle / Haggis. From Bartholomew Fair.
Viola / Sebastian. From Twelfth Night.
Middle & Lower Class Characters
The Beggar Court. All Ages. Lower Class Costume. This group of some interesting residents of Fairhaven will bring a different kind of class to the lanes. They may not be rich with titles like the royals, but that doesn't stop them from making up their own titles and putting on airs.
Sir Knight de Compost (Dung Dealer)
Fanciest of Earwax (Town Lunatic)
Barony of Bunions (Shoe Cleaner)
A Knight Playing Hooky from the Joust. All Ages. Middle Class costume.
Privy Cleaner. All Ages. Lower Class costume.
Fire Tender / Butcher / Village Cook / Gardener. All Ages. Middle Class costume.
Executioner. Age 21+. Lower or Middle Class costume.
The Croquet Players. Age 15+. Any costume level. Can be anyone as long as they LOVE croquet.
Barber Surgeon. All Ages. Lower Class costume.
Postmaster / Village Messenger. All Ages. Lower or Middle Class costume.
Carriage Warranty Salesperson. All Ages. All Costume levels.
Tinkers. All Ages. Lower Class costume. Inventors and collectors.
Alchemist. All Ages. Middle Class costume.
And MUCH more... there are hundreds of possible roles available in the village! We have only listed a few possible roles.
Fantasy & Mythical Characters
All ages and genders. Lower or Middle Costume levels. All roles listed here must be family friendly. (NOTE: We are not adding any D&D player characters, fairies, dragons, or mermaids to the festival's cast this season.)
Djinn / Genies
Goblins
Ogres
The Sphinx
Gnomes
Centaur
Bridge Trolls
Village Witch
If you have a character idea of your own, we are happy to talk to you about it. Some of the most original and memorable characters in the lanes are the creations of the performers playing them... bring us your ideas!
