- At the audition, I told them I can't work on saturdays because of shabbat. All (very mandatory) rehearsals and performance days are Saturday and Sunday, so I'd be quite literally missing half of both rehearsals and performances. I assumed this would lead to a very polite email letting me know this wouldn't work out. Instead, I got a callback, and then got cast.

- They have helped me every step of the way so far (we are two weeks away from the start of the faire). A form needs to be delivered on Saturday? Email it instead. Hat measurements need to be taken in the costume shop on saturday? Special dispensation to get them done on sunday. Missed an important period-era dialect workshop on saturday? Here's a pdf with all the info. Important event during the faire my character will be leading? Here are the two people who will be taking it over for you when you can't be there.

- All cast members have been strictly instructed not to use any gendered terms when speaking to any person or audience. That means no "lords and ladies" or "gentleman" or "sir" or any of that. Only "good friend" or "gentles" or "travelers", etc. We literally aren't allowed to assume anybody's gender. They told us that they want no emails this year from patrons about being misgendered. The faire belongs to all people no matter what.

- Jobs within the cast are open to people of all genders. A woman can be the mayor, can be the sheriff, can be whoever she'd like and whatever job she would like. Gnc people can choose how they'd like their character to present. I was asked at my first costume fitting if I'd like my character to lean more feminine, masculine or somewhere in between. The costumer also asked me permission before taking my measurements.

- A post in the cast facebook group started a thread with everyone's pronouns in the comments so that no one in the cast would get misgendered either. I speak from experience when I say that people have truly taken this to heart and do their best to remember it in person during rehearsal interactions.

- Fellow cast members have, at different points throughout rehearsal: offered to keep me posted on what I miss on Saturdays, sent me recommendations on where to get kosher food nearby, gave me advice on how to best utilize the fact that I speak Hebrew/know all about Judaism while remaining in character, and been nothing but respectful when asking questions about it.

Basically: the NYRF is the most wonderful, accepting, warm-hearted and open-minded place on Earth, and I'm so lucky to be working there this summer.

New York Renaissance Faire | Tuxedo