Volunteer brings Elizabethan history to life authentically

For 20 years, commoners have rollicked about in Elizabethan England at the Bristol Renaissance Faire in Wisconsin.

Through a re-creation of a summer day in 1574, when Queen Elizabeth visited the town of Bristol, England, faire attendees have been enchanted by 16th-century games, crafts, music and dance.

But what visitors may not know is that despite the $18.95 admission, the faire performers are all volunteers.

One of those volunteers is Jim Estrella. The Wheeling resident has volunteered as a historical re-enactor at the Bristol Renaissance Faire for the past two years. He plays the part of Spanish ambassador Don Bernardino de Mendoza.

"My first duty is to interact with the patrons and give them the feel that they have entered 1574 Bristol, England," Estrella said.

"We perform as a chapter of history rather than an actual date in history."

Estrella's efforts are appreciated by others.

"Jim has a great rapport with the audience," said Brian McArthur, director for the faire's performing venue, the Guilde of St. George.

"His dialect is primarily Elizabethan, although it's flavored with a Spanish accent. He makes a good effort portraying the difference."

In part, Estrella trained himself as the character through the study of historical research obtained both at the library and on the Internet.

Additionally, he studied through the faire's Bristol Academy of Performing Arts.

"I had gone to fairs as a guy in shorts and a T-shirt, enjoying the sights and sounds," Estrella said.

"Then, through an acquaintance, I was introduced to the director of the Guilde of St. George and we discussed developing a character for me."

The collaboration lead to the choice of Don Bernardino de Mendoza.

However, at the end of the Bristol Renaissance Faire in 2005, Estrella had a working audition playing the part as a Frenchman just to see if he would be a fit. Of course, he was, and that began his volunteering as the ambassador.

"Jim did a great job," said McArthur. "Now, his character as an ambassador brings a new dynamic to the show and allows us to portray different ways society was then and is now."

Something else folks may not be aware of is that this is not just a seasonal effort on Estrella's part. Volunteers are required to attend once-a-month dance workshops and monthly performance workshops starting in January.

"It's a year-round job for me," Estrella said. "Besides the workshops, I do research learning to become more familiar with the Renaissance period and how the politics of the era started."

Also during the year, Estrella will participate in other events, such as the Olde English Faire in downstate Oregon in October, and the Janesville (Wis.) Renaissance Faire in May.

He feels doing so dusts the cobwebs off of his character.

"Because my character is somewhat of a bad guy, I have to develop him so he is believable, yet still appropriate for a family show," said Estrella. "It can be difficult. I am the straight man to most jokes."

There is also a monetary commitment for the volunteer performers. In Estrella's case, he has to spend quite a bit of gas money driving to Wisconsin for the workshops.

In addition, Estrella paid for his own costume, which had a price tag of $2,800. By order of the Guilde and the Bristol Renaissance Faire, all costumes must be handmade.

"The reason we do that is because people can go on the Internet and get a costume. The idea is to look different than that," said the 41-year-old.

"My character would never allow himself to be seen in a garment someone else wears."

McArthur recognizes volunteers like Estrella are a dedicated bunch.

"We have a different dynamic than your standard volunteer organization," said McArthur.

"It's a big commitment in terms of time and money and you have to be passionate to do it."

Estrella has been involved in countless other volunteer positions. He volunteered at a youth camp, portrayed a clown at a children's hospital, and was a volunteer coach for a soccer, T-ball, and a Little League baseball team. He also participated in an AIDS and breast cancer walk and helped in a forest preserve cleanup.

Yet, it is the educational aspect of the Bristol Renaissance Faire that appeals to him the most.

"In some ways, I feel it has to be done," he said.

"People don't realize the impact of Queen Elizabeth's 40-year reign on our world and culture. Its significance is measurable in how we live today."