Friend a Day – Deborah Johnson

Photo by Lena Nicole

I’ve known Deborah for about ten years now.  She is Chair of the Entertainment committee at the Siouxland Renaissance Festival so I get to deal with her every year when we work on The Dregs contract.

The first thing I will say about Deb is that she is very patient.  I’m a bit of a flake when it comes to paperwork and she frequently has to gently remind me that mine is overdue.  I know I’m not the only person who has that problem (she is working with artists after all) but I still appreciate that she is able to handle my flaky nature.

She clearly has a love for the Renaissance Festival culture.  Even though she lives in Sioux Falls, she works a shop in Minnesota every fall.  I think my commute from St. Paul is a pain but that is easy when compared to a commute from South Dakota.

You don’t do that sort of thing unless you love it.  There isn’t enough money to do it for any other reason.  It just has to be your passion.

Deb makes working for the Siouxland Festival a dream.  She is communicative and she always makes a performer feel important and welcome.    When it comes to worrying about a show, I never worry about Siouxland.  It is a comfortable and welcoming show.  Deb is a big reason for that.

Because of the nature of the Renaissance World, I see her infrequently and when I do, we are both busy with other things.  She’s always very willing to listen to thoughts or suggestions for her show and I feel like she always has the best interests of her performers in mind.

I also have to appreciate anyone who is a fan of my band and whose two favorite songs are my leads.

On the festival circuit, you get to know all types.  They are all great people and I’m happy that Deb is one of the great people I’ve been fortunate enough to meet.