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Victorian entertainment at it’s best!
I have had the opportunity to create a fantasy business from scratch! I took
an idea and brought it to fruition. You may have seen me { if you live in
Colorado} in my ‘get up and go’. I am hard to miss when I am at work. The
reason is I am a ‘lady with a past’… a past that reaches back over
a century!
What would you expect a lady from the 19th century to look like?
Well first she would don a floor length gown, possibly one with a bit of a
train. If it is sunny she would be carrying a parasol; whatever the weather a
proper lady would be begloved; lace up boots would deftly define her dainty
feet; one more description to top off her image- a beautifully plumed hat! Now
all your imagination has to do is put my face in this picture.
One of the first questions people ask is - what would encourage a relatively
normal person,
such as myself, to don an elaborate, obviously vintage, appearance? Well brew
yourself the perfect cup of tea while I finish my story. (If you use lemon in
your tea, do not add it before the sugar. Sugar will not dissolve once
the citric acid permeates your beverage.)
Now are you comfortable? Allow me to regale you with other questions I’ve
been asked about how and why I started my business: My youngest boy was eight at
the time, he is now 15. I was contemplating how I could now help my family
financially and hopefully find a creative outlet for myself. What did I want to
take into consideration in building my "niche"?
1. I didn’t want to deal with any inventory (I’ve been there)
2. I wanted to make my own schedule.
3. I wanted to work alone.
4. I wanted to challenge my artistic self
5. Pay myself well
6. I wanted to look my very best {to dress up like a princess! ~grin~}
7. I wanted to do something I could feel passionate about!
8. I wanted to do something that would be fantasy oriented.
This may seem a large bill to fill but I was bound and determined to do it!
It took me about a year to decide what I wanted to do. After a lot of
contemplation I came up with an idea I was happy with. I found all this as a
Victorian entertainer! I created Constance Pringle, a finishing school
instructress from England, as my first character. Of course this required that I
learn the proper accent and what a young lady would expect to learn form her
tutor. I had a blast doing the research!
I confided in a friendly librarian, letting her how what information I needed
and why!
You may be wondering how I promoted my new venture. I didn’t have the
financial resources to pay for advertising, which can be exorbitant. I began to
take notice of the fact that each county paper has a section devoted to local
artists. Would they be interested in covering what I am doing when I perform in
their town? I found they are all interested in the unique. Within a year I had 8
articles written on my business and used these to start a portfolio. There is a
consultant in every town that helps small businesses to brainstorm. This is a
free service. The local Chamber of Commerce can tell you how to contact them.
The consultant suggested I look in the phone book for retirement homes, country
clubs, museums, teahouses and wedding shops {for bridal showers}. I then would
talk with their event coordinators to set up performances. The library had
listings of clubs that can be contacted as well.
I am happy to say my business is doing well. As I became comfortable with one
performance, I created another. Soon I expanded to a multitude of characters! I
found even more joy as I evolved to an entertainer able to encourage audience
repartee. That’s when the fun really began! A woman who owns a touring
service saw one of my performances recently and enjoyed it so much she asked if
I would go on a tour of England next May 2001 for ten days. She offered to pay
for all of my expenses if I would entertain the group during the trip! So off to
England I will go…You are welcome to go with us. Yea!
In conclusion, there were many adventures in the building my business, and I
don’t regret any of them! As Constance Pringle was coming to life, she went in
and out of a lot of comas. These frustrating periods finally came to an end and
Constance is alive and well! I’ve even expanded my business to help others
become Victorian entertainers! I have a list of characters they may choose from
to start their own Victorian entertaining business!
My advice is finding something you are deeply interested in and use all that
is available to you!
Best wishes in your success!
Diana is featured in the current issue of "Country Victorian
Decorating Ideas"
You may visit her web site at www.victorianactor.com. or reach her at {303}
660-6429
Current Schedule
Saturday November 4th I will be performing at the
well- known lovely Attie’s Tea House in Loveland, Co. I will be teaching
/performing for a delightful interactive mother- daughter etiquette tea from
2:00-4:00. Reservations are required, call 970-278-9757,or e-mail me at diana@victorianactor.com
Sunday, November 12th 2:00-5:00 p.m. At
the beautiful House of Windsor in Lakewood. This event involves a delightful
slide program on 'the day in the life of a Victorian family'! You will be
entertained while learning of the nuances of society in Victorian England. A
lovely light afternoon tea will be served! Join us for this unique
performance. Call Lady Linda for reservations at 303-237-7696 or e-mail me at diana@victorianactor.com.
Please do not wait to call for a spot because they are always sold out!
Saturday, January 20th 4:00-7:00 p.m.
Fabulous ladies night out tea party! This performance entertains you while
teaching the audience how to put on your very own knock your guests socks off
tea! I will stay in character as Lady Constance Pringle from England. Lady
Constance allows you to watch as she prepares for a very special tea party for
noble ladies of distinction. All ladies will leave with printed literature to
refer back to. Join us for a terrific time. This tea will be catered by the
best! tickets will be $21.50 Call Lady Linda at 303-237-7696 for
reservations or e-mail me at diana@victorianactor.com.
Sunday Feb 25th at the Aurora History
Museum. Join us for a tea party while I entertain the audience as lady
Constance Pringle form Queen Victoria's England
The exact date not quite known yet , but
it will be the latter part of Feb. We will enjoy a delicious tea at the
Castaway's in Manittou Springs in their gorgeous Victorian dining room
downstairs! I will be performing as a 19th century doctor from Ireland!{ Dr.
Tillie O'Malley} This is sure to delight the audience while they learn what
type of medical treatment they would have received if they had lived in
the Victorian era. Enjoy seeing many of the doctor's tools of trade. Not for
the faint of heart! ~Smiles~ Don't forget to bring your man to this
performance, they LOVE it!!! Reservations will be $19.50 Call Lady Linda
for reservations at 303-237-7696, or e-mail me at diana@victorianactor.com
March, exact date pending. Tea and
performance at the English House of Windsor in Lakewood. I will debut my
Victorian milliner with all of her finery from her shoppe "Crem Da- La-
Crem. I have yet to name her and I welcome suggestions! I am looking forward
to bringing her alive!Call Lady Linda at 303-237=7696 for reservations or
e-mail me at diana@victorianactor.com
Look forward to this one with all of your
heart! We will be enjoying some of the exact food from the last dinner on the
Titanic!!!! This event will be catered by the best. I will be portraying a
Lady from England and other characters as well so you can get a good all over
picture of the life of the different people that would have been on
board of the breathtaking { sorry no pun was intended } Titanic. More details
coming. Any suggestions for this event are welcome as we organize this
terrific performance! Call Lady Linda for info at 303-237-7696 or e-mail me at
diana@victorianactor.com
I have a wonderful upcoming event that is
in the works. I have put on many mother/daughter etiquette classes. Why not a
father/ son manners class? Keep in touch for this unique and much needed
event. Call me at 303-660-6429 or e-mail me at diana@victorianactor.com if
you have questions or recommendations for this event.
2001 - I have been invited to go on a
tour to London for 10 fun filled days. I will be performing for the group
periodically with the nuances of life in Victorian England! If you want to
treat yourself to a fabulous trip come with us! E-mail me or call at
303/660-6429 I hope to hear from those enamored with the Victorian era in
England. If you get Victoria Mag. please check out their tour to England and
their schedule. They are asking double for their tour which is almost the same
one , but ours is even one day longer!!! This will be a tour of 15 people
so do not wait to get your reservations! CHECK
OUT THE ITINERARY
Summer 2001 - We will be off to Prince
Edward Island each summer to ‘visit’ author Lucy Maude Montgomerys’ Anne
of Green Gables. We will have the opportunity to see Anne’s home and her
favorite places when we take a special day trip with Carolyn Strom Collins,
the celebrated author of the beautiful table top book,’ The Anne Of Green
Gables Treasury’. I will be charming our tour audience in the in-between
times with my various Victorian characters which includes British nobility and
their servants, and Anne, all grown up! I would be happy to send you an
itinerary with additional information. I may be reached at 303-660-6429 or
through e-mail at diana@victorianactor.com
for a price quote. Check my web site periodically to see when and where my
public performances are and what new characters I have created at www.victorianactor.com.
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