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Posted below is an essay on performing kids
magic. So much of what it said reflected my own feelings,
that I am posting it here for those who want want a little
advice on performing for children. Thank you George
Robinson for permission. Keith Pass
President of SAM 252
Feel free to send me some email at
magicalpass2@aol.com
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KID SHOWS-SOURCE OF EXPERIENCE AND PROFIT
REF: based on writings by Marcus Wielage and George Robinson
The beginner in Magic can find performing for children fun.....
experience building and profitable. The professional will
realize the business potential immediately. It's someone's
birthday every day in your community so the ability to find work
is a matter of motivation and promotion. The key is being
prepared. A children's
performer will find life exciting, rewarding and never boring;
challenging for sure. As Art Linkletter once said, 'children say
the darnedest things', well, during a Magic show they also 'do
the darnedest things'. You must be on your toes at all times and
you must be prepared for anything, but most importantly you must
remain in control.
Larsen & Wright, in the introduction to their manuscript,
Mysteries For Children wrote, “An audience of children is the
most difficult of audiences to control, but to the capable
performer it makes up for this by being the most appreciative
audience once it is won over.” They went on to say, “... the
best of Magic is none too good for them.”
IN THE BEGINNING: Keeping
this in mind, begin by putting your act together with care.
Choose wisely; know your effects; rehearse and remember to think
of your audience as young adults (regardless of their young
age), not babes.
Audience-test your complete act, not bits and pieces of it.
Volunteer to entertain the children in your neighborhood to get
some feedback and emotion from them. Look to the children's ward
at a local hospital as well. This not only helps you, but also
allows you to share your time and Magic with those that might
not otherwise have the opportunity to enjoy Magic in their
environment. A mirror in your rehearsal room is fine for the
practice of 'moves', checking angles, stance, checking your
clothing and makeup, your smile, etc. but you don't get,
reaction, emotion, indifference, joy, applause or the lack of
it, etc. There is no human feedback, which is the only way you
can gauge the level of competence and entertainment in your act.
OBTAINING PAY DATES: One of the best ways to get paying dates is
by word of mouth. Coordinate your business cards, stationary,
envelopes and advertising so that they all represent you and
what you do.
Everything should be direct and simple so that anyone seeing
your business card, etc. will immediately know who you are and
what you do. Make sure you add a tag-line to your handouts,
“.... Specializing in Children's Entertainment”. At a birthday
party performance, make an effort to get your business cards
into the hands of every adult there. This inevitably will lead
to more paying dates. Fun zones like Chucky Cheese, Mr. Gatty's,
etc. are great places to offer your services. Offer the
establishment a percentage of your sales if you have to, but get
them to promote you by allowing you to leave your info there as
hand-outs with the objective of doing birthday party shows
there. Not only do you do your show for your paying clients but
you expose others there to your performance, which will garner
you more pay dates. Don't worry about that fact that you may be
doing a ‘free show' for those around you. You're there to
fulfill a contract; let the venue serve as advertising for you
as well.
Yellow page advertising is costly but if this is your
profession, run the least expensive line ad you can.
Web presence is a must so get a proper web site up. If you don't
have the ability to design a GOOD web site, don't damage your
image by trying. Use professionals for your advertising, your
logo design and your web site. I can't emphasis this enough. Do
what you do best and let others do what they do best for you!
(If you are interested in having a great web site designed for
you by experts at a reasonable cost, drop me a line and I'll put
you in contact with one of the best I know).
When using photos, concentrate on audience reaction; happy
faces, audience participation, etc. because this is what will
motivate the buyer. Sure, show your props, etc. but what a buyer
is ultimately interested in is entertainment. If they believe
you are going to make them the hero because they choose you,
it's a win-win situation.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT: While it is true that you will be
performing for children, you are being hired by adults. They
want entertainment that will reflect well on them, their guests
and friends. A positive appearance, proper speech, professional
presentation and manner will all add up to repeat bookings. Look
successful, act successful, be successful. A positive successful
attitude is contagious.
Keep your props clean and well maintained. Retire any article
that looks tattered, that can not be repaired. Always put your
best foot forward; word of mouth can work for you as well as
against you. Work on developing a reputation of dependability
and punctuality as well as being an accomplished performer.
MOTHER GOOSE IS OUT: Unless you are performing for very young
children, leave the nursery rhyme mother goose-type patter out.
Children perceive themselves as older than they are and not
realizing this will be to your determent. Most effects
specifically designed for children generally fall flat from a
reaction point of view. Use the same effects you would for an
adult performance, possibly changing the patter but don't try to
talk down to your young audience. This will work 100% against
you. Most young people are smarter than we give them credit.
They will appreciate your effort to treat them as young adults
and will response accordingly. Use a natural manner and add
appropriate comedy where needed and they will accept you, which
means they will enjoy themselves and you will enjoy performing
for them.
MONKEY SEE-MONKEY DO: Many times children will try to repeat
what they see a performer do. Dangerous effects or potentially
dangerous effects should be avoided if they might lead to a
child hurting himself or another child. There are simply too
many good effects available to the performer that are both
entertaining and safe. Presenting a Head Chopper, Razor Blade
Swallowing effect or a Rope Through Neck effect, etc. may just
put you and your audience in potential danger. Any negative
reaction from your performance will reflect negatively on you.
PHYSICAL ARRANGEMENTS: If your act requires special physical
requirements, such as electrical outlets, tall ceiling height, a
sink, set up room, etc. it is best to discuss and confirm these
things in advance with your host. The perfect arrangement for
you is to be completely self-sufficient. You should have
everything you need; you should design your act and equipment in
such a way as to contain everything you require for your act. If
you use liquids, bring them with you and have a way of disposing
of the liquid or at least containing the liquid until you arrive
at your home. Design your show for easy and prompt set up, as
well as a quick exit. Pack up in such a manner that you are
basically set up for your next show. Put as little strain or
pressure on your host as possible. After all, they have guests
to attend to. If possible, ask that the children be seated in
chairs, but when this is not possible, you might lay a heavy
rope across the front of your performing area (on the floor) to
designate your performance area. This will serve as a silent
deterrent for them so they don't get too close to your working
area or your props.
CONTROL: When possible, have a parent present to maintain order,
but this is not always possible. You must ultimately be the
controlling factor when performing, regardless. You must assume
command immediately and maintain it throughout your performance.
To accomplish this, you must get their attention at the onset
with a strong magical effect. If you fail at this, you will have
a very hard time getting and maintaining their attention to the
end.
Quickly establish eye contact with each and every child. Make
each child feel you are performing just for him/her. Get
participation. Use your 'assistants' wisely and treat them with
respect. Share the experience with each child by having, one say
the Magic word, another hold the Magic wand, etc. Try to make
each child a part of your show in one way or another. If this
can't be done due to your type of act, at least have them
participate in small groups by shouting the Magic word, etc.
Half the room says the Magic word one time and the other the
next, etc.
To educate yourself about how children react, watch daytime
television shows for their reaction and interaction with each
other well as with the host of the show. Don't feel rejected if
the children fail to applaud. This takes experience on their
part. Someone is said to have made this statement: “Look for the
applause in their eyes not in their hands”. You can help the
applause factor by you applauding a child when he has helped
you, etc.
EXIT: Make sure you thank the children for their attention;
thank your host for the opportunity to share your Magic and make
sure you police your performing area for any prop that did not
get packed, as well as surveying the area for any refuse you may
have left (mouth coil streamers, torn and restored paper, rope
bits, etc.). You should actually try to dispose of these bits
and pieces properly during your act. If you are lucky enough to
travel with an assistant, make this part of his/her duty at the
close of your show as well as during.
FINAL CONTACT: Always send a post card thanking the host along
with your contact information. The post card will also ask them
to recommend you to their friends and family. This little touch
will aid you in leaving a positive mental image in the mind of
your host long after your show, which will in turn add to your
chances of being called back for other events.
CONTRACTS: You should always have something in writing. Book
your shows well enough in advance to send out a contract and
have it signed and
returned to you. Supply a self-addressed, stamped envelope for
your client. Make the contract easy to read and understand. Do
not be overly demanding but do spell out the date, time (this is
a touchy subject, since it seems that birthday parties NEVER
start on time. Ask the client to be realistic when it comes to
stipulating the start time of the show), your fee, and method of
payment (Some people ask for a down payment to guarantee the
time slot, balance when the show is completed). Also, stipulate
the minimum length of time for your performance and any special
requirements you might need or that the client has requested
(like balloon animals, etc.) Legally, if you do
not have a signed contract, you almost always loose any decision
having to be interpreted by law. Worse case scenario, take a
contract with you and have them sign it just prior to the show.
IN CLOSING: Keep a journal (Excel would work fine here) of each
show; your fee, the name of the host, the date, the child's
name, his birth date (or reason for the show), type of effects
performed and your feeling about how your show went over; pros
and cons. Use this information the following year to secure
future bookings. This is invaluable information that will reap
you great rewards if properly kept and used.
Yours in Magic.....
George Robinson Jr.
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