Performing at the Great Pan-Kinetic Exposition

Hello aspiring Pan Kinetic Performers!

This new theatrical event will offer a myriad of opportunities to be creative and have fun.

The entertainment at the Great Pan-Kinetic Exposition will be divided into stage shows, theme characters, and performing groups/environmental areas. All performers will become a person from this age of American Renaissance, with the clothing, language and personality of someone from that era.

Click on "Actor Symposium" above to learn about auditions.

Historical Background
To help us best portray the peak of this remarkable era, we have chosen to focus on the year 1905 which represents the true turning point from what we consider the Victorian Era to the 20th Century. It’s the transitional year when politically, socially, artistically, sociologically, and culturally, we, as a nation, were thrown into the “high gear” of “progress”. We were discarding the beliefs and dogmas that had governed our lives since the 18th Century and were re-creating ourselves as a people. It was also one of the last “pleasant” moments in our history as a nation. We hadn’t experienced the horrors of two World Wars… We hadn’t even been fully exposed to the frailty of Victorian ideals (best defined by the ruins of San Francisco after the Great Quake). We were still idealistic, full of life and curiosity, and patriotism.

So many changes were going on at this time. The world was shrinking due to new forms of communication. Human beings could move faster by car… even FLY! Inventors were being deified. Great leaps in technology and medicine were being made. Women were on the cusp of equality...and many other races and creeds' need for equality were finally being put into the spotlight!

Costumes may range from 1895-1905. Environmental areas and props should incorporate aspects and materials that could be found before 1905.

To Steampunk or Not to Steampunk
Not long after we announced the Pan-Kinetic Expo, we received dozens of questions regarding characters, displays, etc. in the Steampunk genre.

Although what we all seem to consider that “Steampunk” has been around since the mid 1800’s (with the advent of writers like Jules Verne), the actual genre is a late 20th Century concoction that has been building up in popularity under a slow boil. When books like “The Difference Engine” and “League of Extraordinary Gentlemen” came around, suddenly “Steampunk” began to establish its hold on the imaginations of millions.

Many of the concepts, inspirations, and scientific principles behind “Steampunk” have their roots in the turn of the 20th century. This is when the world stopped viewing scientific endeavors as “magic tricks” (and even sorcery) and began to be viewed as great achievements that could benefit mankind. There are many amazing little facts about the people, inventions, and incidents that shaped the 20th Century. For example:

• Did you know that Harry Houdini was the first man to fly over Australia?
• Did you know that Sarah Bernhardt had an insatiable crush on Nikola Tesla?
• Did you know that Alexander Graham Bell tried to sabotage the Wright Bros.’ flight over Kitty Hawk?
• Did you know that Thomas Edison was crafting a machine to talk to the dead?

So, while we are a definitely a “steampunk friendly” event, we are attempting to create an historical setting in which the ideas behind much of what is imagined in steampunk fiction may flourish.

The Details
Three Stages:
Main Stage under the Big Top:
Largest stage and destination for the evening show. Looking for vaudeville, melodrama and other ideas.

Teddy Roosevelt Bandstand
Smaller themed stage at the entrance of the event

Children’s Stage and Area
Tentatively named Tik-Tok's Clock Shop (from the “new” series of Oz books by L Frank Baum).  
Looking for fun and period appropriate children’s entertainment.

Theme Characters
I have posted a list of possible characters, based on some of the most important historical and entertainment figures of the day. Please try and see if one of the characters will fit your aspirations first, but if you find someone else you believe you can portray from this time period, who would significantly add to the event, by all means send me am email proposal.

For a list of characters that are desired by the Pan-Kinetic Exposition already, follow the links below to the Downloadable PDF.

List of Female Characters

List of Male Characters

Groups and Environmental Areas
Telegraph booths, wacky inventors, Wild West performers, tell us your ideas and email me a proposal.

If you are interested in proposing a group or show, please email your proposal to me, Cat Taylor, Entertainment Director, at cat@pankineticexpo.com

OK, I want to Play, What Should I Do Now?

Sign up for the Mailing List
Since we do not do physical mailings to our performers; the e-newsletters are the only way to stay apprised of all the important information about performing at the Exposition. Sign up here.

Research
We have spent a considerable amount of time putting together an extensive list on Amazon.com. Please take the time to visit and be well informed! Any purchase you make from our site goes to support the production of the festival, so research a lot! And remember that Google is your friend!

Facebook
Join the Facebook group for lively discussions, photos, media clips, and more.

Go For It!
Decide what you would like to do and audition or create it yourself. Since this is a brand new event, there are many possibilities.  Audition notices will be posted in the missive and on the Facebook page.

Costume
Once you have an idea of what you'll be doing at the exposition, start putting your costume ideas together. There's lots of information on this website, so you can start looking around for appropriate garments. Remember, what you wear is determined by who your character is, so make sure you get the part you're auditioning for before you finalize your costume. Your costume will also have to be approved by your director before you will receive your gate pass.

Entertainment Staff Information
Entertainment Director: Cat Taylor