- What is it that you do? Taliesin Phoenix is a storyteller, bard, poet, seanchaì and I bring tails from folklore and mythology and poetry from all over the world to entertain patrons at fairs and festivals.
- Where are you located? New Haven, Connecticut
- What got you interested in starting out in this business? I’ve always been a performer, and a lover of oral storytelling, so it just made sense to bring the two together.
- When did you start performing? In general or at renaissance fests? I’ve been performing and acting for almost 30 years, but I brought this show to life and started performing at fairs and festivals in 2021.
- What was your local faire or home faire? The Midsummer Fantasy Renaissance Faire
- What advice do you have to give to others that are just starting out in this business? Or how to stay in this business? Never stop working on your art. Keep iterating, keep creating, keep getting out there and as long as you love doing it, you should keep doing it.
- How do you handle thefts or copying of your works? All my work is copyrighted, and I’ve been lucky not to experience much in terms of copying or theft, but I’ve worked in publishing most of my professional career, so I know how to handle those things when they’re not done in the spirit of fair use or good faith.
- Are you doing any online sales or virtual performances? I don’t often perform virtually, but I certainly have several times over the last few years.
- Why Renaissance Faires or theme? What is it that made you so interested in this period? My show is uniquely suited to this time period because oral storytelling was such an important part of so many cultures, and only since the Advent of mass media has it become a less usual form of entertainment and learning for people. I love the opportunity to bring this art form back, where I can, and medieval or Renaissance festivals are a great opportunity to do that.
- In five years (or less) my goal is to: I would love to be performing 25 to 40 weekends a year by the time I get to 5 years, and I would love to bring to life a theater show that would tour.
- What makes your act/wares unique or different? I’ve spent a lot of time studying folklore mythology and traditional oral storytelling, so I think that my unique approach to bringing those stories to life is how I really stand out. I weave together humor and drama along with traditional rhetorical techniques to make my stories and poetry memorable and impactful, I think.
- What would you say to a new person looking to try out or vending? If you’re looking to start up as a performer, I recommend you find your closest local renaissance fair or festival, and just audition. The best way to learn is by doing and the best way to do is to get started.
- Plug your website or fan page here (or both) You can find out about me at http://www.storyphoenix.com or on Facebook and Instagram @TaliesinPhoenix
