Membership

Membership Information

The Guilde of Sainte Marie is a not-for-profit organization of re-enactors who portray noble life in the 16th century, specifically the courts of the French House of Valois, the English House of Tudor and the Scots House of Stuart.

If you are interested in playing nobility, and want to join a fun, dynamic and family-oriented performing troupe that strives for excellence, then please read further to find out if you will fit within our ranks!

The Guilde of Sainte Marie plays several courts of the Renaissance, providing (usually) a Monarch for each court. Sometimes we simply are there to support the Monarch chosen by the faire.

1520 or 1536 - Court of François Premiere: François I was the epitome of the Renaissance King. He was a devoted patron of the arts and of culture, establishing Leonardo da Vinci as the artist in residence, and Paris's first public University. We have portrayed him in 1520 with his first Queen Claude, and then in 1536 with his second Queen Eleanor of Austria.

1581 - Court of Henri III: Henri III was the last of the Valois kings, and the epitome of how not to run a country. He ruled a lot with his heart, and not his head, and allowed his mother the Dowager Regent Catherine de Medici and his sister Queen Marguerite (Margot) of Navarre important and influential positions within his government. We portray him mid-reign with his Queen Louise de Lorraine-Vaudémont.

1513 - Court of Henry VIII: Henry VIII was the second monarch from the House of Tudor, and wielded the most unfettered power of any English Monarch. This year, we will be playing him married to his beloved Katherine of Aragon, during the decisive Battle of Flodden Field.

1560's - Court of Elizabeth I: Elizabeth I was the last of the Tudor dynasty of England, and ruled during what is called England's Golden Age. She was a strong and self-assured woman who used her wit, charm and politics to earn the things that she and her country needed. She is still considered one of England's greatest monarchs.

1603 - Court of James VI of Scotland/James I of England: James was the Protestant son of Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots, and cousin to Elizabeth I. He believed strongly in the Divine Right of Kings and political absolutism, and while this made him successful in Scotland, it did not work well for him in England. We portray him and his Queen Anne of Denmark at their accession to the English throne after the death of Elizabeth I. Commitment

Whether you are a seasoned faire actor looking for new adventures, or you are a novice to the whole experience of re-enactment, we will find a place for you!

If you have the training and the drive, then we are more than willing to give you the chance at an audition for any role suited for you. We will start you in a beginner's role - such as a maid of honor or lady in waiting to the Queen or noble lady (or a gentleman in waiting to the King or a noble man), a noble bodyguard to the monarch, or an upper middle class householder serving the Monarch.

The Guilde of Sainte Marie does an average of 10-14 events per year (including the 7 weekend run of the Koroneburg Old World European Festival), not including the semi-monthly guild meetings, workshops and work parties. Currently, our events range from Central and Southern California, with one event in Las Vegas, Nevada. We have members ranging from all over Southern and Central California.

Naturally, your level of commitment will dictate the level of character you will be able to play. We do welcome members of all availabilities - full or part-time. When attending a Ste. Marie's event, we of course expect that we will be your priority.

For a current list of events, please see our Calendar, and please contact us for further information and an invite to one of our events!