Mighty bushels of kudos from Efry Ayala!

"Ann-Elizabeth, or AE, as we often refer to her, is quite possibly the most energetic, motivating, and passionate entertainer and teacher I have ever had the chance to work with. While being engaged with work as a costumer and actor at the Bristol Renaissance Fair, I first came into contact with AE as a student of hers. Her activities and coaching were critical to my success, but really it was her highly engaging entertainment style that makes every student be attracted to her a mentor and leader. I am a Corporate Trainer professionally and the skills she taught me for acting have also greatly influenced my professional classroom style.

"Her biggest quality by far is that of being a larger-than-life entertainer. AE's ability to transfor a miniscule hitorical character into a regional celebrity is fodder for legends. She is never one to miss an opportunity to engage a patron, especially big and little children, or a fellow actor. Her presence is so bombastic that even if all the lights were to go out of the world, her laugh, physcial characterization, and persona would light up the room, theater, parade, or forest preserve she performed in. One never knows how the world will turn when interacting with AE, and that is the best part."

(Efrain "Efry" Ayala is the Senior Learning and Development Specialist at Panduit, and he's also the Founder, Designer and Dressmaker at AyalaMurano, Inc.)

Ginger Breo Heaps On Niceness!

“Saying that Ann-Elizabeth is an exemplary fool sounds unintentionally like an insult; it could not be further from it. In a world that disdains the ridiculous, A-E transcends the mundane and raises foolery to an art form. She has frequently made my sides hurt in the best way; if laughter is indeed the best medicine, then she is my general practitioner of fun.”

Designer Bob Stotts Gives a Shout-Out!

“I'm an artist and designer who, for several years, had the good fortune to study, and then perform with, Ann Elizabeth at the Bristol Renaissance Faire. The Ren Faire is a extraordinary entity; a, primarily unscripted, continuous, free-form participatory play which provides a fertile and challenging ground for performers to hone their skills and, of course, provides unique entertainment for the many thousands of visitors every year. Joining the troupe allowed me the opportunity, happily, to participate in a lengthy and rigorous training with the ensamble player cast prior to actually performing for visitors. The directors of the Faire, not surprisingly, entrusted Ann Elizabeth with, probably, the most ethereal and challenging part of the player's training, and something for which she is a bona-fide expert-the creation and development of the characters that we would bring to our "stage". A-E was the natural choice for this as she was (is) universally regarded as one of the most gifted, focused, and professional of the great many fine performers at the Faire. It is actually a funny thing for me to be writing a "recommendation" for a performer of her caliber. As someone who has the good fortune to be a professional in the arts, and fully enjoying a life that revolves around the cultivation of my craft, I have a great appreciation for the passion the Ann Elizabeth brings to her "fools business". Therefore, I unhesitatingly recommend Ann Elizabeth to perform for you or your group, though, I feel confident in saying that few (aside form those that, themselves, do such improvisational acting) will fully appreciate the nuance and quality that A-E brings to the performance of her alter ego, Jane the Phoole. Prepare yourself for a rare treat.”

Zesty Sentiment from Barry Wightman!

“It's as if a strange warp in the fabric of time bounced A-E's alter-ego Jane the Phoole from 15th century England onto our doorstep by way of the Marx Brothers and the Summer of Love. Fly Phoole Airways...gets you there on time....”

(Barry Wightman is the Managing director of Sound and Script LLC!)

Zingy Love from Jim Farris!

“Ann-Elizabeth Shapera is a fool! And I mean that in the most professional, entertaining, energizing, intelligent, literate, life-affirming way possible. Through her character, "Jane, the Phoole", Ann-Elizabeth has given life and meaning to the "fool" in all of us. She embodies a carefree spirit, who is at the same time aware, responsible and caring for the thousands of people she has encountered over the years. Never mean-spirited, "Jane" can often put us in our place, but with a smile ... and the smile is ours! I highly recommend Ann-Elizabeth, and "Jane", for any circumstance where good humor and sparkling wit are called for.”

(Jim Farris directs interactive educational theatrical happenings at the Kenosha Civil War Museum, http://www.kenosha.org/civilwar/index.html , and was one of the great forces behind the heyday glory of the Guilde of St. George at the Bristol Renaissance Faire.)

Gigantic Niceness from Ron Scot Fry!

“In her work as Jane the Phoole, Ann-Elizabeth defines character. This is how she does it. def. 1 character: a distinct, entertaining persona created for the purpose of delighting and fascinating an audience. "Jane the Phoole is a 'character' of renoun at any event where she appears." def. 2 character: a being who is extreme, unusual, original, and possibly eccentric. "That Jane the Phoole is quite the 'character', what?" def. 3 character: the sum of human qualities that includes integrity, intelligence, determination, dedication, sensitivity, honesty, and grace, frequently mentioned by parents as the desired result of eating vegetables or otherwise undergoing 'character building' adversity. "Ann-Elizabeth is a performer and human being of tremendous 'character'." I have had the privilege of working with many of the greatest talents in the Renaissance Faire and New Vaudeville world. Ann-Elizabeth ranks with the best of them. I recommend her whole-heartedly.”

High Praise from Susan Scot Fry!

“Ann-Elizabeth is a visionary performer and leader and manages to create great consistency in the extremely high quality of her work. She is always in growth and has established herself as a valued mentor. If I am seeking pure energetic brilliance, I know it's a phone call away.”

Kind Words from Guilde of St. George Member Becky Dutton!

“Ann-Elizabeth is a master of her art. She is dedicated, hard-working, and always perfecting her performance. Just watching her in action affords others to learn how to improve their own interactions with playtrons at Bristol Renaissance Faire. I have had the privelege to learn from her in workshops, and watch her at faire. She is a wealth of talent and knowledge... Plus she is a really a really nice person!”

Nepotistic Praise from Serious Artist Tom Charney

"I keep thinking about how awesome you are with the audience. You are extremely rare in your abilities with the crowd. Your sense of comic timing is astounding! And so is your ability to read people and groups. You know exactly what to say and how to react. I am in awe of how skilled you really are! I think [since I'm your husband and live with you,] I get to see more of the self-deprecating A-E and less of the skilled professional improv artist that you are which makes those 'Jane' moments so impactful!"

[Tom is my husband, but he's also a brilliant performer and artist himself, so his testimonial should definitely count.]

High Praise from Patron Carole Burns

"Dear Jane, I just want to tell you that you are my idol. I have been involved in theater since 3rd grade and have done everything from act to direct - yet I can't bring it upon myself to do improv. My son, James has been in the St. Michael's guilde for the past 2 years and really wants me to become a part of the faire - but I could never live up to the fantastic people he works with. I really enjoy attending the faire and have become quite the 'jane stalker' because I love watching your antics and am amazed at how easy you make it seem. Thank you for being such a wonderful person and reminding me to live 'outside the box' again! Someday I will return to my love - the theater - but until then I can enjoy living in the walls of the faire and watching my idols rule the day."

Mighty Kudos from Bristol Renaissance Faire Performer Mary Hough

"You are so brilliant with the audience and your interactions that it really is Jane the Phoole up there. That may sound weird, but you have created the ultimate character, which is why you're so tired at the end of the day. You do more in one day than most of us do in a season or several seasons, and you should be really proud of what you bring to the show. I just wanted to let you know I appreciate your creativity and energy."

Generous Compliment from Bristol Renaissance Faire Patron Kurt Magoon

"I wanted to send a quick note of praise for you and all of your cohorts at Bristol. We have been there twice this year and completely enjoyed ourselves both times. Being an actor, I can imagine how difficult it is to perform for such long stretches. I don't know if I could be 'on' all day long like that. Keep up thy great work."

Tremendous Praise From Design Genius Andrew March

"Watching her perform was like watching rain fall from leaves in a forest - elemental, unstoppable, elegant, entrancing and effortless all at the same time."

Praise from Bristol Renaissance Faire's former Artistic Director, Ron Scot Fry

"Your legend is far too brilliant to be woven in anything as common as gold. It must be forged from the very energy of all that is magic and excellent in this world and all others, in a length both mighty and infinite. Don't sell yourself short."

Giant Compliment from the amazing Frank Skony

"As I was perusing some old pictures the other day, I came across one of the Nobles Glade from... Oh, back in 96 I think, which is one of my earliest recollections of being in your presence....You're sitting on the dias, No,not in your now customary place, but off with the maids on one side...Sitting in your blue gown with the large diamonds all over it, biggens cap covering your head just so.... holding what appears to be, and I think was,a gourd hollowed out, open in the back, with some eye holes to act as a mask... We were all so much younger then.... and it almost seems like yesterday and another time all rolled into one, but one thing I noticed in that picture, is the exact same light coming from your face that is still there today, shining perhaps even brighter with the wisdom you've gained as we've seen the dawn of a new millenium, watched good friends come and go from our lives, and faced the hardships that are life as an artist. I've been blessed to know and be a small part of your life, to see you laugh when you're not so happy, to see you cry when you're overjoyed and overwhelmed, to see just what someone can do with their talents, and to see where those talents can take someone personally. You inspire people everyday, wether you know it or not, and you, I think, are well on your way to becoming a legend, not only in your living room, but in the world at large. You have done all of these things, and you're only 33! I can only hope that in 4 years, when I'm at my 'Jesus Day' as you so hilariously called it, that I can look back at the small part of my life that has passed, and say, 'I did that' with as much confidence as I know you can. You have been a great influence in my life... Yeah, as all actors are prone to do, we don't hangout as much as we should or want to, we are separated by a state line and lots of farms that conspire against us at times, but since I have known you, I have always wanted to be, in some small way, a bit like you, and have taken your lead in my endeavours, and in my life...You are the best!"