Joe Kudla "Thomas Snot" (1951 – 2008)
"He was a man, take him for all and all, we shall not look upon his like again" (William Shakespeare, Hamlet) For 35 years Joe Kudla played Thomas Snot, one half of the Puke n' Snot team. This old man in tights made millions of family, friends, and fans tears with laughter. Sadly Joe passed away only a few days before his home town Renaissance Festival opened in Minnesota.

Joe and Mark Sieve (Ralph Puke) first got their start back in 1974 at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival under the names Mouldy & Wart. Shows were ten minutes in length, largely improvised, always in the streets. The next year they changed there names to Puke n' Snot joined at the Minnesota Festival by Penn and Teller. As the years went on that act of Puke n' Snot became bigger. They were seen at many other Renaissance Festivals, Soon the shows would become too big for the streets of any Renaissance Festivals so in 1983 Puke n' Snot moved to stage. Puke n' Snot putting there own spin "trademark brand of mock-Shakespearean vaudeville to audiences composed mostly of morbidly obese, turkey-drumstick devouring, semi-conscious yahoos." Joe and Mark together put out four cds and one dvd of there work over the 35 years of play the old men in tights.

The show goes on Joe passing just days before the Minnesota Renaissance Festival opened millions of family, friends, and fans wondered what was going to happen to the show. It is a show you just have to see when Puke n' Snot where out at the Renaissance Festivals. Joe has a Memorial Fund trying to help Joe's daughter Angela go to college. A "Thomas Snot Pilsner Mug" and "Thomas Snot Memorial Tee Shirt" can be found in their store or online at their home page at www.magaga.com.

Joe "always believed that the show was bigger than the actors…the spirit of the show carries on. People still laugh. Joe would want them to keep laughing. So, to honor Joe and his long legacy", Mark and the Puke n' Snot team keep the shows going with a long time friend of both Joe and Mark. John Gamoke has picking up where Joe left off and is playing "Thomas Snot Jr," and both man (Mark and John) are still acting at Renaissance Festivals today.

You can find out more about Puke n' Snot and what Renaissance Festivals there are at by going to there home page at www.magaga.com. There you can also read more about Joe and what family, friends, and fans have said as will as leave your own thoughts about him, but most of all see there shows Joe would have like, it would make him happy. Long Live Thomas Snot!


Carol Black "Lady Ettie"
Carol Black (Lady Ettie) For more then 25 years Carol is been entertaining young people to the lost arts of chivalry, respect, etiquette, and manners. She reminds the audience through her skills of storytelling and performance. Carol is also a founding member of Renaissance Entertainers, Services, and Crafters United (RESCU).

When one first see Carol one is reminded never judge a book by it's cover. It has been said that Carol is the most approachable character at any festivals, and her fascinating gracefulness and great knowledge of etiquette keeps her audiences mesmerized.

Carol has "performed in theatre's, festivals, and school across the country. Her work has been reviewed and celebrated in major newspapers, magazines, and on television…Her charming toothless smile she brings her message of acceptance to all ages." Carol's shows run between 45 minutes to one hour. Teaching lost arts of chivalry, respect, etiquette, and manners that it doesn't matter who you are or where you come from, one can always be a Lady or a Gentleman. This means No Bullying!

Carol with a costume filled with many surprises. From the oversized large brimmed hat covered with nuts, feathers, flowers, ribbons and bangles, to the flair of the rest of her attire that is accentuated with pouches, pins, colorful cloth, and other adornment, all will find Carol charm and toothless smile a treat for all, even the uncertain.

Carol is the founding member and the president of Renaissance Entertainers, Services, and Crafters United (RESCU) is a non-profit organization established to promote and maintain the health and medical well-being of the participants of Renaissance Faires, historical performances and other artistic events through financial assistance, advocacy, education and preventative programs. RESCU was founded almost 6 years ago by veteran Renaissance participants. They now consist of 10-12 board members including artisans, actors, guild members, and a former bank executive. The board members and volunteers of the RESCU Foundation were or are participants of Renaissance Faires or have a connection that compels them to serve tirelessly so this organization can thrive. The board of the RESCU Foundation spends an incredible amount of volunteer hours assuring RESCU's role in the future. They do everything that needs to be done, through heartache and pressure. But this aspiration cannot be done without assistance.

Carol still performs at Renaissance Festivals and schools still teaching that any young man or woman to be a Lady or a Gentleman by learning lost arts of chivalry, respect, etiquette, and manners. Carol is still working hard with the RESCU today. You can find out more about Carol Black work and what Renaissance Festivals she is at and about her at www.ladyettie.com and find out more about the RESCU Foundation at www.rescufoundation.org.

Labels: hall_of_fame