Founders Interview - Tara
Who came up with D&D in a Castle, anyway?
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Have you ever wondered who came up with this amazing idea and made it happen? What kind of people are they? What inspires and drives the founders of such an immersive fantasy experience? Today we’re answering these questions and more as we chat with Tara, one half of the sister-brother duo who created D&D in a Castle.
Hi Tara, could you tell us about the lovely gown you are wearing?
Yes! This is my Barovian Ball Gown. I wanted to make something that felt like a fantastical royal gown, not linked to any historical time, something that made me feel like a benevolent queen in a fantasy world.
Did you make your gown yourself?
No, not this time. I found someone who does medieval, Jane Austen, and fantasy costumes. She had this fabric just sitting around that she had had for years, but had never found the right project for it, so we used that, along with a corset I had from my Jane Austen costumes for the underpinnings of the gown. I ordered it especially for the Barovian Ball on the first night of D&D in a Castle in 2019.
Have you made costumes before?
Oh yes. I actually worked as a seamstress’s assistant for a while, and I have made dozens of costumes throughout my life, including regency gowns for my Jane Austen Fun Club, when I heard about the international Jane Austen Festival in Bath and thought we should all go. I helped all the club members make their costumes, which convinced them to attend. My brother Cam, the other half of D&D in a Castle, came as well, and that was the beginning of my Jane Austen events company, Regency Encounters, and of our collaboration on events.
When did your passion for organizing immersive fantasy experiences begin?
Dressing up and role-play was a huge part of my childhood. I have always been into world-building, in my way. When I was a kid, we would create fantasy scenes with our dolls, and I was always dressing up and posing in the garden. One of my favourite make-believes was being a fairy. As an adult, I want to create these seemingly-impossible experiences where people can live out their fantasies.
How is your writing connected to your love of fantasy?
I love to write, and to create these alternative realities with my words. I have published two novels, both inspired by Jane Austen, under my pen name Melanie Kerr. It's not quite slaying dragons, but it is an immersive fantasy, and a playful kind of magic, and I am no stranger to roleplay.
Is helping people live out their fantasies what drives you to do things like D&D in a Castle?
Definitely. I love to cultivate an experience for people. I get excited about creating fantasy and immersive experiences in all forms. I have always wanted to create a residential, vacation-style fantasy experience, and when Cam and I came up with D&D in a Castle, it was the perfect marriage of our two interests.
Is one of your own fantasies about living in a castle?
Yes, I would love to have my own castle, as you see I’m halfway there with this gown.
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What made you create the Festival of Witchcraft and Wizardry?
My whole family loves the idea of magic and spells, especially my middle child. I wanted to do something really memorable for his birthday in the fall, and I came up with a magician theme. Then I thought, what would be the most exciting experience for him? Instead of a themed birthday party, why not create a whole festival? It just kind of snowballed from there.
Would it be fair to say you feel compelled to put your ideas into action?
Yeah, I tend to compulsively obsess over an idea until I’ve fully realized it into the world. I am driven by ideas. Running Regency Balls with historically accurate costumes, music, food, and dancing, or creating a recurring autumn Festival of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and more recently of course, D&D in a Castle, were all born out of an idea.
How exactly did you and your brother Cameron come up with D&D in a Castle?
Cam, who grew up playing D&D every evening and weekend, planned a D&D getaway weekend with his friends in 2017, and they ended up playing D&D non-stop and having the most amazing time. Everyone left feeling like it was the best possible therapy. Cam in particular thought, “this was so amazing, how can we bring this to other people? How can we get them to take the time off necessary to make this happen, you can’t do this in a couple of hours, you need days!” The castle was the key that he came up with for getting people to commit the time, to make it a viable holiday.
He called me the next day and said, “Tara, I’m going to say something and you’re going to hate me. I have an idea and you’re going to have to do it. It's D&D in a castle.” And my answer was, “Oh man! I do have to do that, and I do hate you!”
That’s how D&D in a Castle was born and it has been going strong ever since. Cam’s the D&D and I’m the Castle, that’s how our partnership works.
It sounds like you make a great team. Is this a full-time gig for both of you?
Not at all. We are both working parents, trying to make something cool happen from our kitchens after bedtime. This is entirely a passion project, and all about the dream.
Well, thanks so much Tara, for taking the time today to give us a glimpse into how it all started, and a chance to admire that stunning gown.
Thank you. The Barovian Ball is a highlight for many people who attend, and anyone who wants to dress up definitely should!
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