Entertainment
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
Step into a world where history leaps off the stage and onto the lanes! From the wisk of a masterfully loosed arrow to the quick-witted antics of wandering minstrels and master roguery, the entertainment at The WNC Renaissance Faire never stops.
Our village is packed with world-class performers, towering spectacles, and authentic historical musicians across multiple stages. Keep your eyes sharp—the next show might break out right beside you!
Explore our daily performance schedule below and plan your day of merriment.
Kimberly Larkspur
Kimberly Larkspur is a classically-trained-musician-turned-dancer with a degree in Music Education and History and a well-honed sense of delight in the absurd that led them quite naturally to a life spent sharing and exploring many facets of art both onstage and in the studio. Kimberly runs Dauntless Dance and Movement studio in Houston, TX, where they indulge in an absolute passion for pedagogy and will be joining us dancing amidst a whirl of silk, flashing blades, and bubbling humor accompanied by the sounds of some of the finest musicians in the realm.
Miranda Gibbs
Miranda Gibbs has been acting since middle school and has spent the last 6 years performing at Renaissance faires, where she specializes in improv, character work, and bringing a bit of well-timed chaos to the lane. Along the way, she has earned several certifications through the Society of American Fight Directors, taught courtly dance for 4 years, and spent the last 3 years directing both adults and children in theatrical productions. Currently, Miranda works as the Site Manager for Hynafol, a live action roleplay experience, where she helps bring immersive stories and adventures to life. She will also be serving as Stage Director, bringing stories to the stage and helping performers shine. Miranda will be teaching courtly dancing in a fun, beginner-friendly way,
Weylin Olive
Master Bowyer Weylin Olive of Swiftwood Bows is a fulltime bowyer residing in Winston-Salem, NC with his wife and two children. There he builds bows, and teaches bow building classes in his workshop. Weylin specializes in self bows made from single staves of split wood, typically Osage orange and Pacific yew. How to build an English Longbow with Master Bowyer Weylin Olive.
2 shows a day Sat and Sunday, times TBD
Phil Johnston
Bows of The World hosted by Robinhood himself. Robin of Locksley will take you on a tour of historic bows used around the globe, and the stories associated with archery legends. This will be the introduction to the Royal Open Tournament. A tournament held twice daily and open to any archer in attendance, with a traditional bow.
2 shows a day times TBD
Bigfoot!!! Even Bigfoot can't resist a rennie!!!
Long before North American hunters started shaking cameras at blurry brown shapes in the Pacific Northwest, medieval Europe had its own original, thick-furred forest dweller: the Wodewose (or Woodwose).
If you look at old illuminated manuscripts, page margins, or architectural stone carvings from the Middle Ages and Renaissance, you’ll find him. He's literally Europe's proto-Bigfoot, but with a highly specific, complex place in the medieval mind.
John Lewis - The Sheriff of Nottingham
John is a recovering professional educator, having spent almost 2 decades teaching ancient and medieval history, literature, and languages. Along the way he has also been a first responder, professional jouster (for about a month- that was plenty!), sword teacher, and horseback archery instructor. Currently, John works as a professional leather artist as well as teaching and performing demonstrations of mounted archery and mounted combat. John will be serving as our Entertainment Director, and playing the role of the villainous but handsome, charming, cultured, unfailingly modest, and above all, misunderstood, Sheriff of Nottingham.
Troy Lensing as Little John
Troy is a toolmaker by trade, but has been doing traditional archery for a little over a decade. He has competed in a number of different archery disciplines including; recurve, longbow, and asiatic/horsebow. He holds state titles and records with longbow and traditional recurve. He has placed in national tournaments with traditional recurve and horsebow, and holds national records with horsebow. Troy will be playing the role of Little John and will be helping with the Royal Open Archery tournament.
MadMan Maverick
The World's Second Greatest Magician! Come join the party with this Chaotic Neutral Warlock as he demonstrates skills of illusion, enchantment, and even a bit of evocation. Watch out, he is also known for throwing knives, doing tricks with whips, and shouting “Set it on Fire!”
Thomas Wood Pyro Juggler
Come see the Pyrojuggler Thomas Wood. There will be skill, danger, laughter, balls, blades, and fire! There are indeed multiple versions of the show. Sometimes he's juggling machetes over his face while cracking jokes. Other times he's lighting himself on fire, also while joking. Occasionally he survives.
Paco
A man of many hats and even more strings, Paco is a musician known throughout the lands for his prowess on the guitar, and his voice that will bring grown men to tears. Whether he is performing at an intimate pub or an outdoor stage you are guaranteed to be entertained by this marvelous minstrel.