- Where are you located?
Our business address is based in Pennsylvania, but we tour all over the place. Consequently, several members have moved to various locations over time. We’ve got some folks in south, some folks in the Pacific Northwest, some in the middle of the country. We are practically everywhere and that is delightful.
- What got you interested in starting out in this business?
(not my fault the numbers keep defaulting to one, sorry about that) I started going to the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire back in 1988? 87? My family and I used to go once a year and I was just fascinated by it. The costumes, the spectacle, the swords. In 2010 when the job market crashed, I decided to audition for PA. I got in and started work as an actor. Best decision I’ve ever made.
- When did you start selling or performing? In general or at renaissance fests?
I personally started performing at Ren Faires in 2010 during the economic downturn. I was coming off a stint working with cover bands and I just wanted to switch gears. Our group started in 2013 when TJ Miller from NJRF (New Jersey Renaissance Faire) asked me, as the music director, to put together a cast vocal ensemble. In 2014 we were approached by Doc Amor from the Pittsburgh festival to fill in for their adult ladies act. We just kept going after that.
- What advice do you have to give to others that are just starting out in this business? Or how to stay in this business?
Best advice I was given early on was from Doug Kondiolka from Don Juan and Miguel (that is not spelled correctly, sorry). He was running a workshop at the PA faire in 2010 and I asked him “what should I do before I go on the circuit?” He said “get the best costumes you can – the more pictures people take of you, the more likely a festival will bring you back.” I really took that to heart. To stay in business? Talk to other people in your industry. Ask them important questions, like how much is a fair wage to be paid and if everyone is getting good tips on a good day. Controversial opinion, I know, but the more we share info the easier it is for all of us to stay afloat. Everyone deserves to be here.
- How do you handle thefts or copying of your works?
I haven’t had anyone directly copy our work, but I’ve got some cease and desist letters ready to go if it happens. It’s a matter of time, I’m sure.
Additionally, I think we can all exist in the same space. I’ve had people tell me I should be upset when I find out there is another female acappella bawdy act. We aren’t the first, we won’t be the last. There’s space for everyone out here.
- Are you doing any online sales or virtual performances?
About a month or two into the pandemic, the anxious among us got together and decided to do something called Ladies Unlaced. It was just a concept at first – the idea being we’d pretend to be topless and performer without our dresses on. Still risque, still hilarious, everyone can do it safely from home. We’d send guide vocals to everyone to record to in their homes and Lady Elsa, our tech wiz, would edit the clips together. Nothing made me happier than being able to send some money to performers, to my friends, who were all out of work and freaking out. I’m glad I was able to provide even a small amount of support.
We’ve now down 52 episodes of that series and counting. Now it’s just an excuse to talk directly to our audience and show off the various ladies from the different teams all over the country.
- Are you creating more stock or more content?
We just released our fifth studio album, Aurally Ambitious. I am super proud of that work – the tone quality, the great songs, the stuff we pulled off. We’re just getting started.
- Describe your first experience with us or your best experience (could be worst experience if you want to share that)
Okay, this is just a funny story. One time, probably year two, we were a five piece. We’re running through “Mrs. McGraw” (yeah, we don’t do that one anymore) and a huge bumble bee starts stalking Lady Rosaline, our social media mistress. This thing is buzzing all over her head. Eventually, about halfway through the song, it wanders off. But she gets to the line “was you out walking out on the bay” and turns it into “was you out walking out on the BEE” and we just rolled with it. I actually fell over on the stage I was laughing so hard. That’s when I knew what the key to the show was. If we just opened everything up to more improvisation, we’d have something really unique and fun. And we’d never get bored.
- In five years (or less) my goal is to: ___________________
We’re going to keep expanding as long as they’ll let me. More runs at longer shows, more ladies consistently involved with the team. More work for everyone. And we’ll definitely have another album out by then. Probably 2.
- At faire, what was your garb/attire your usual go to?
We got hardcore at the festival. I’m typically wearing about 10lbs of costuming. Corset, leather boots, big hat, bloomers, chemise, two skirts, bodice, pouches, mics, jewelry, enough makeup to make a drag queen proud. My heaviest outfit is about 40lbs, but that’s reserved for the winter (it’s snowed in Louisiana on a contract).
When I go as my human self? Jeans and t-shirt and I blend in. No one knows who I am. It’s kind of freeing.
- What makes you stand out?
I think we’re really diverse and fun. There’s not a particular look that represents us. We’re all really individual humans and we’re all “pretty women”. I like that we can really define our own version of beauty for the audience and we just own it. It doesn’t hurt that we take up like 12 feet of space when we stand next to each other either.I think the other thing that stands out is how much improv we can do throughout a show. We can directly address audience interactions, we can reference strange things that happen on stage, we can use practically anything to transition from one song to the next. I think that makes us really stand out.
I’ll add some photos here as well. Let me know if you have any questions about any of my responses or if you need anything else from us.
Thanks so much for the opportunity!
Melissa L. E. Baker
Lady Morgan
Producing Director, Chaste Treasure
Author’s Note:
I’ve actually seen this group perform at Robin Hood Renaissance Faire in CT. They were entertaining and again, I mentioned this last week, and I’ll write it again every time I feature a “bawdy” group. What this means is that the material is mostly PG13 rated and has some sexual innuendos. As we state in faire, if your kids understand what they are saying, it’s not our fault.
Please do your own research on this group, as this is PROMOTIONAL way of getting folks featured.
If you, your group, your troupe, or if you are an author of a novel that is Renaissance Themed, and would like to be featured, please reach out to us on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/renperfmerch
HUZZAH!
