About the Known World Players

The Known World Players were founded in 1999 by THL Sofia Tyzes and Lady Mica of Skye. The troupe got its inception when Sofia met a bunch of friends one summer afternoon at South Street in Philly for some good Middle Eastern food. Among that group was Mistress Avril Boule, who mentioned her desire to start the Performing Arts Pavillion at Pennsic. A conversation ensued amongst the group, and Sofia got the idea to start a troupe of actors from all over the Known World to perform in a play at Pennsic War. The idea was shelved for a while, until the Performing Arts Pavillion got approval. When that happened, Sofia and Mica began auditioning for the first play, Shakespeare's "As You Like It". The show was very well received, and the Known World Players have been around since.

Since its first year, the Known World Players have performed "Everyman" and "Lysistrata". At Pennsic 32, they performed three 15th century French farces: "The Eel Pie and Cheese Tart", "The Washtub" and "The Worthy Master Pierre Patelin". At Pennsic 33 they performed a version of Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales". At Pennsic 34, guest director, Baron Lorcan Dracontius led the troupe in a stunning performance of "Macbeth". Pennsic 35 saw the 16th century English comedy Gammer Gurton's Needle. At Pennsic 36, we spread our wings and performed 4 plays from the Wakefield Cycle, touring around Pennsic. We'll be returning to the Performing Arts Pavilion for Pennsic 37 with a performance of an original production--Forbidden Pennsic.

The Known World Players are always looking for new talent, both onstage and behind. If you are interested in working with us, contact Sofia at karoline@karolinekramer.com

About the Director

THL Sofia Tyzes, called Zsof/Karoline Kramer Gould

Sofia is a 16th century Hungarian from the town of Buda. The daughter of merchants, she spends her time helping her parents and struggling to understand the occupation of her beloved city by the hated Ottoman Turks. Sofia's husband is currently traveling with her father, learning the trade. Sofia remains behind to care for their two children, Alys and Benjamin.

In the SCA, Sofia is more commonly known as Zsof ("zoaf"). She received her AoA in 1998 in the East Kingdom for her work as a MOL. She moved back to Ohio in 1998 and was not involved on a local level with any SCA group. She re-emerged in 2001 when she became a member of House Red Winged Lion. In 2003, Sofia became protege to Duke Dagan de Darregonne, and she continues to wear her yellow belt proudly. In 2004, Sofia was made a member of the Order of the Evergreen and was able to take the preface The Honorable Lady. In 2005, she was recognized for her hard work with the children of the Known World, and received the Award of the Purple Fret. Sofia still works with children, and is known for her work with the Known World Children's Theater, which she works on every year at Pennsic with Mistress Rhonwen glyn Conwy. In 2007, Zsof became apprenticed to Master Johannes von Narrentstein, who is a member of the Midrealm Commedia troupe I Scandali.

Karoline has been a lover of medieval theater her entire life. It began when she was in high school, where they were blessed to have a very understanding principal and a wonderful theater department. Every year they would perform a Shakespearean play and from there she was hooked. After high school, she went on to college, where she was bitten by the theater bug. Karoline ran away from schooling and moved to Miami, FL where she practiced her art, then on to North Carolina (Greensboro), back to Ohio, and then off to the Philadelphia area...then BACK to Ohio. Karoline now works as music director for the AAA format for The Heights 88.7 on WJCU in Cleveland. Karoline can be reached at karoline@karolinekramer.com