February 4, 2008 4:16 PM

Flip Burgers or Fight for Liberty? You decide.

 

We're always looking for good people--people who like to teach, people who like to act, people who like to sing, dance, tell stories, and have fun--all while working in one of the most beautiful environments possible--the great farming outdoor country of Oak Glen.

It's much easier, incredibly, to hire cooks, maintenance people, and dishwashers than it is to hire actors (living historians). I always thought it would be just the opposite, that aspiring actors were waiting tables, valet-parking, and stacking cans at Ralphs while they look for any kind of acting work. I always thought there would be a dozen people waiting in line for every acting position that opened up here. After all, this isn't volunteer community theater. We pay!

Unfortunately, Americans have waxed very shy. We've written letters to theater ensembles, community college instructors, pastors, employment agencies. We advertise. We even have a near full time human resources person, but our guess is that people think they have to have a credential of some sort, an official seal of approval from the Good-Theater-Keeping council.

The truth is we train too. If you like history, and enjoy a family-friendly environment, it doesn't matter if you've never played Max Detweiler in Sound of Music. In fact, you don't have to have any theater experience. You just have to love American history, or the country, and we provide clothing, vocabulary training, and historical background. We've seen shy teenagers outshine Kenneth Branagh. We've seen spry seniors outperform Anne Bancroft. It's incredible what the ordinary person can do--if they set their sights on doing something noble.

And the work we do is noble. You get the satisfaction of giving thousands of guests every year, a glimpse of the past, and an appreciation for the sacrifices of those who have gone before us.

We think you'll look good in the history, so call Maricella today at 909-790-TIME, ext. 202, and we'll get you started on your way.

 

More of the Farm Journal -- Morning of February 4, 2008

 

Life as a Riley's Farm living historian, by the way, is not quite THIS dramatic:

More of the Farm Journal -- Morning of February 4, 2008

More of the Farm Journal -- Morning of February 4, 2008