Fools Guild

"This article is about the American organization. For the Discworld Fools' Guild see Fools' Guild (Discworld)"

Since 1981 the Fools Guild has existed as a disorganization of individuals who identify with the artistic, spiritual or philosophical nature of The Fool. They are an amorphous mass of lively, spontaneous souls who meet throughout the year for theatrical silliness, ensemble style productions, art installations, inhibition removal, Traditional Performance Arts skills exchange and Variety Arts performer networking. The Guild produces three major theme parties a year in Los Angeles: Halloween, New Year's Eve, the High Feast of April Fool's Day, plus a yearly coronation parade and several other events and items depending on the current King.

The Fools Guild was born in the late '70s at the Renaissance Pleasure Faire, where the original improvisational team met while performing as jesters, jugglers, pass-the-hat-acts and mimes. Originally named by former Renaissance Pleasure Faire entertainment director Peg Long, "The Fools Guild" was primarily an improvisational troupe performing at the Renaissance Pleasure Faire near San Francisco and other Bay Area venues. In 1980, they elected the first "King of Fools" from among their membership (King Anonymous I) and continued electing a new King every year to lead the group in folly and revelry.

Around 1982, the Fools Guild moved south to Los Angeles where they rented a large ramshackle house at 8228 Fountain in West Hollywood. The house had a giant main room and very high ceilings, and the Fools seized the opportunity to create parties, workshops and other performance-centered events together. Very quickly a social club of comedic performers evolved and the house became known as the Guild Hall.

(Unbeknownst to them at the time, the house was built specifically "for" parties by the original house builders the Santleys. The Santleys were Vaudeville artists and original members of the Screen Actors Guild. They were also members of the old Hollywood Comedy performers club "The Masquers". The Masquers included silent Film actors and comedy celebrities and they often met at the old 8228 residence.)

Anyway, at the Guild Hall, the Fools events attracted other artists in Hollywood, creating a sort of home base for the emerging "New Vaudeville" scene in Los Angeles. The parties became more ornate, with elaborate themed decor and brilliant costuming, and drew a growing roster of local regulars, including members of the nearby Groundlings Theatre and The Comedy Club. Some Fools continued participation in the Renaissance Pleasure Faires also helped the group continue building relationships with other performers and artists.

In 1987, the original Guild Hall at 8228 Fountain was torn down to make room for an apartment building (over the vocal protests of the Fools). However, by that time the Fool community had grown so strong that the Guild was able to continue the parties using rented venues and kept an active communal life due to the combined volunteer efforts of the Kings and their many minions.

Today, the Fools Guild is an amorphous mass of silly souls who produce three major parties a year in various locations around Los Angeles. Many members are performers, costumers, variety entertainers, artists, professionals in the Entertainment Industry, but just as many are simply fools, enjoying theatrical play with said performers. Most live in the Los Angeles area, with some in the Bay Area California and the rest scattered internationally. The Fools draw inspiration from "The Fool", keeping alive the virtues of play and festivity as a source of creativity and personal fulfillment. A Fools Guild party is an ensemble-created, site-specific installation in which all comers are expected to participate. To enter a Fools Guild party is to immerse yourself in a completely all-encompassing themed environment, with decor, costumes, and characters related to the theme.

The Fools Guild is primarily an ensemble production loosely led by the King of Fools. Perhaps a more accurate term would be "monarch," because the King can be either male or female. The first King of Fools was crowned in 1980 and there has been a new King crowned every year since then at the annual coronation held at the The Renaissance Pleasure Faire in southern California. Originally about twelve people created the parties, eventually the King became the team leader for the year. Since its original inception hundreds and possibly thousands of people have attended Fools Guild Parties, theatrical events and celebrations with a large core of a couple hundred people regularly attending. In the early eighties there was a brief Ladies Auxiliary called "The Queen of Hearts" which was eventually transmuted into the "Mother Folly" organizational title honouring the nurturing role represented by the icon needed by the Fools Guild to function each year. Mother Folly is usually a woman however exceptions exist.

Originally, the King of Fools was appointed in recognition of being an excellent comic performer. Today, however, the Kingship has evolved so that Fools with other strengths, such as community-building or leadership ability, can also be appointed King. The King's role is similar that of the Chieftain of a tribe: part figurehead, part administrator, part love object. Essentially it is an oligarchy with a seasonal figurehead. He or she typically makes all major decisions, produces all events, bears all responsibility, and wields supposedly total royal authority: that is, authority over decisions no one else wants to make. Mother Folly often plans events of her own to supplement the King's events. In the past Kings have instigated charities, new parties, theatrical productions and workshops. The Fools Guild has coronated twenty six kings.

The ex-Kings get together with the current King around March or April to determine who the next King shall be. Many factors are given consideration and many non-royalty bear influence on the decision. Once the decision is made, the ex-Kings surprise the chosen new King and reveal to him or her secretly "You're it". A few weeks later, in spring, the new King is revealed to everyone else and crowned in a traditional parade. The new monarch enjoys a foolish coronation ceremony before thronging masses of foolish subjects.

Through themed costume parties and other creative events, the Fools Guild provides opportunities for "imaginative play for everyone." At Fools Guild parties, people of all ages wear costumes, interact with each other as their characters, dance, eat, drink and play freely for a few short, blessed hours. Parties often include staged live performances and humorous theatrical presentations interspersed with the partying. Improvisational spirit is the primary theme. The end result is a memorable trip to a remarkably colorful world. Recently live music and dancing have accompanied the traditional Disco-style dance floor with the music choice heavily leaning towards swing music as many of the Fools Guild members are talented professional dancers.

Most of the Fools Guild identify with: the archetype of the Fool as a nonconformist; truth through laughter; wisdom through play; whimsy as art. Many are performers, jugglers, actors, musicians, dancers, improvisers, clowns, artists... and just plain old eccentrics.

A major appeal of the Fools Guild to many Guild participants is the overall spirit of free flow. There is no written constitution or any other formal rules. There is no formal membership procedure; if you think you are a fool, then you are a member. There are numerous ever-changing traditions that bind the Fools Guild in an enduring community . The Fools Guild creates a quarterly publication called "The Joker", enjoys an active listserver and has a web site.

The motto of The Fools Guild is:"In Risu Veritas""In Laughter there is Truth"

External links

* [http://www.foolsguild.org/ The Fools Guild website]
* [http://rtgarden.com// rtgarden.com Artists ongoing documentation]