Each year, the Medieval Fair recreates life in the Middle Ages for three days with performances from blacksmith demonstrations to jousts and acrobatic shows. Although these acts come from far and wide, 10 OU students have added their passion to the fair by working in the cast this year.
The Medieval Fair cast members are required to be present for the entirety of the fair to interact with and entertain visitors. Bailey Chaples, biology and pre-med junior who is in the cast for Medieval Fair, said the cast dresses in medieval garb and stays in character, often as a real person who was alive around the year 1360.
The Medieval Fair cast is a diverse group of 42 people, ranging in age from 14 to 65, said Ann Marie Eckart, Medieval Fair coordinator.
Chaples, who is participating in the cast for her second year, is a native Oklahoman who grew up going to the OU Medieval Fair. When she came to OU, she was excited to learn she could participate in it as well, she said.
This year, she is playing Lady Maud Plantagenet, who lived during the Middle Ages. Plantagenet was the daughter of the richest man in England and died of the plague at age 27, Chaples said.
Kyra Williams, chemical engineering junior, has been in the fair for four years. She plays Princess Joan of Kent, another historical figure. Williams’ characterization of the princess is a bubbly, dorky personality who is nice to children and strives to impress her mother-in-law, the queen, she said.
Both Chaples and Williams attended an audition focused on improvisational work before joining the cast. At the audition, would-be cast members had to answer a prompt to help panel members pick what character would be the best fit for each person.
At the last audition, for example, the question was, “If you were a kitchen utensil, which one would you be and why?” Williams said.
The auditions process is very inclusive.
“Basically there’s a role for everybody. The improv auditions just help us identify where you fit within the cast and whether you’re ready for court or ready to be a street character,” Eckart said.
Cast members rehearse once every two weeks starting in October. At the first rehearsal, they are given the names of the characters that they will be in the fair, Chaples said.
After she was given Lady Maud Plantagenet, Chaples used ancestry.com to research her character, she said.
During the rehearsal period, cast members learn about the history, manners, songs and dances from medieval times. They also learn how to improvise, because interactions at the fair are unscripted, Eckart said.
Cast members are also in charge of creating their own period costumes, which differ from character to character.
“I have to lace myself in, I can’t use zippers or buttons in my costume, I have to hide watches and everything,” Williams said.
Part of Chaples’ costume for this year is called a “Gates of Hell dress” and was typically worn by rich females of the time period, she said. The dress cinches in to show the outline of the hip area, making it both “a symbol of female immodesty” and wealth at the time, she said.
The members of the Medieval Fair cast are supportive and feel like family, Williams said.
In fact, Williams even brought her boyfriend “into the fold,” she said. This year, he plays the Black Prince, who is married to Williams’ character.
In the past, he played Geoffrey Chaucer, who was married to Williams' previous character, Philippa Roet, and they would banter back and forth, Williams said.
The fair also gives both Williams and Chaples a chance to express their creativity in ways their majors might not.
Chaples attended a very small high school that didn't have an acting program, so for her, the fair is an opportunity to wave goodbye to her comfort zone, she said.
“For three days, you get to step outside of being you and whatever it is you’re doing, whatever it is you’re studying, and you get to be a part of this new world that you help create and build,” Chaples said.
Participating in the Medieval Fair provides a “creative, weird outlet” for Williams and others who like to be different, Williams said.
“I guess medieval fair for me is just an inclusive place, where everyone can feel like they belong,” Williams said. “They get along and they have a good time and everyone’s happy 'cause you know there’s fun things to do and it’s okay to be different.”
Visitors to the fair can stop by the Royal Court to see Lady Maud Plantagenet, Princess Joan of Kent and other characters on cast this year at Reaves Park in Norman from March 31 to April 2.
“You can’t be shy,” Chaples said. “Because for 30 hours, at least, you’re going to have people looking at you, watching you, and it’s your job to be entertaining. So there is no such thing as a comfort zone ... all you have left is you playing with the other people. And that’s what it is: It’s playing and it’s great.”
