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I Made $4000 Working 16 Days

That's $31.25 an Hour

By Dani AshPublished 5 years ago 7 min read
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Do you have a knack for the Theater? Do you like making money? The seriously, work at the Renaissance Festival. Not everyone who works at the Renaissance Festival travels. If you've ever gone, there's always a big mix of people who travel, private vendors (local and traveling), and local people looking to make some extra cash.

You have quite a few options at the Renaissance Festival. Personally, I worked in the front of Joust Kitchen. I dressed up in old time clothing, spoke in an accent, handed out turkey legs, and "Huzzah to the Tipper"ed. I made sure my face was pretty, my breasts were big, and I made so many (ahem) sausage on a stick jokes the merchants in old times would turn over in their graves.

Now, this is not your only option. You can choose between Front or Back. Front means you must wear a costume, where as in the Back you just have to follow protocol. We have amazing cooks, security, parking, and more. Some had shirts, some you could wear whatever you wanted. For front, you could choose either food or merchandise. There are pros and cons for each choice. Let me break them down.

Working Front/Food:

Pros - This one is easier. You work about 9 hours a day, but you are not as busy. It's cooler because you are not next to a hot kitchen or grill. You do have a credit card machine, but you have to do the math yourself. You get paid more. For the Festival I work, they give a little less than one dollar above minimum wage for your first Festival (for everyone they always increase pay 20 cents every year you come). So for example: my friend worked Merch and made $11 an hour, and worked roughly 9 hours a day that's roughly $84 a day after taxes. They did make some tips, and after splitting with their coworkers, they took home $5-$20 a day. It's more laid back, and usually you can take small breaks to rest your legs. That means that with rough math you could make about $3000 depending on tips.

Cons - You make less money. It's roughly a $1000 difference between working the Front in Food and working the Front in Merch. Again, you're in costume and all the same rules apply for tattoos, piercings, hair, etc. You also have to deal with customers, and that can always be difficult, but as I mentioned in the Cons for working Food, the Festival has Disney Rules.

Good For: Those with a love for theater, those with a love for costume, thick skinned, can do simple math, those with injuries, those with physical disabilities (although please still proceed with caution as it is still a physically taxing job, parking lots, buildings, etc are not very accessible).

Not For: Those with many tattoos/piercings, those who don't like costumes or acting, those who struggle with math.

Working Front/Merch:

Pros - This one is easier. You work about 9 hours a day, but you are not as busy. It's cooler because you are not next to a hot kitchen or grill. You do have a credit card machine, but you have to do the math yourself. You get paid more. For the Festival I work, they give a little less than one dollar above minimum wage for your first Festival (for everyone they always increase pay 20 cents every year you come). So for example: my friend worked Merch and made $11 an hour, and worked roughly 9 hours a day that's roughly $84 a day after taxes. They did make some tips, and after splitting with their coworkers, they took home $5-$20 a day. It's more laid back, and usually you can take small breaks to rest your legs. That means that with rough math you could make about $3000 depending on tips.

Cons - You make less money. It's roughly a $1000 difference between working the Front in Food and working the Front in Merch. Again, you're in costume and all the same rules apply for tattoos, piercings, hair, etc. You also have to deal with customers, and that can always be difficult, but as I mentioned in the Cons for working Food, the Festival has Disney Rules.

Good For: Those with a love for theater, those with a love for costume, thick skinned, can do simple math, those with injuries, those with physical disabilities (although please still proceed with caution as it is still a physically taxing job, parking lots, buildings, etc are not very accessible).

Not For: Those with many tattoos/piercings, those who don't like costumes or acting, those who struggle with math.

Working Back/Kitchen:

Pros - This one is probably the busiest, but that is not a bad thing. It's busy, the day goes by fast because you are constantly working. They play music and the people who work in the kitchen are hilarious. You don't have to deal with any customers. You get to wear anything you want (within reason and your pants much be at your ankles for safety). You can have the weirdest hair, any tattoos, piercings visible. You get to cook and that is always fun. You would get paid just like Merch. So, $11 an hour, and you'd work about 9-10 hours a day. That's $81-$100 a day. Your Front staff tips out and give some of their tips to you. My coworkers and I made sure to show our appreciation to our kitchen staff so we tipped out well. I would say you'd make about $3000 with the hours and tip out.

Cons - It is a very labor intensive. You will get your steps in on your fitbit. You need to be able to lift about 50 pounds or so. It can be unsafe (if you don't follow the rules). You could get burned, fall, things like that, but that's why we have precautions and rules right? You really do work the most, usually you'll be the some of the first ones there, and the last ones to leave every day (besides the jobs below).

Good For: Those with many tattoos/piercings, those who don't like costumes or acting, those who struggle with math, cooks, those who are strong.

Not For: Those with a love for theater, those with a love for costume, can do simple math, those with injuries, those with physical disabilities.

Working Back/Other (Parking,Garbage, Security):

Pros - This one gives you the most time outside. You won't have to deal with customers too much. You get to be in the sun and you get to really explore the grounds this way. It is fun, fast-paced, and you will also get all your steps in on your fitbit. You do not need to wear a costume, just pants and a Festival Shirt to show you're Crew. You would get paid just like Merch and Kitchen. So, $11 an hour, and you'd work about 10-11 hours a day. That's $100-$111 a day. You are not tipped out as often as kitchen, but you will also receive a little bit of cash. So you will also possibly make up to $3000.

Cons - Again, it is very labor intensive. You would only have to lift if you are on garbage duty and again 50 pounds is what you'll have to be used to. You WILL BE the truly first and last people on the grounds (especially security).

Good For: Those with many tattoos/piercings, those who don't like costumes or acting, those who struggle with math, those who are strong.

Not For: Those with a love for theater, those with a love for costume, can do simple math, those with injuries, those with physical disabilities.

"Maddie, one of these really works for me and sounds great how do I sign up?"

That's easy. Go to google and search "(your state) Renaissance Festival" and boom you'll get to see when it is, and how to apply. The one I work is the Colorado Festival. Here is their website: https://coloradorenaissance.com/ and to apply you must MAIL in an application and also have a photo for your application as well. The Renaissance Festival will send you a letter back with the information on when they will do their hiring event. It can take awhile, so plan to not do anything else that day.

Honestly, working at the Renaissance Festival is a fun temporary job no matter what you pick, and you'll make good money. For me, it's great because I will only have to work weekends during the summer. That leave 5/7 days of the week to do whatever I want. This is perfect to make extra money for teachers, students, anyone who has weekends free!

I'll see you there!

HUZZAH TO THE TIPPER

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Dani Ash

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