AUDIENCE
WARM-UPS
Too many
children's performers miss a great opportunity to increase the overall
response to their show. They'll hide behind the curtains, waiting for
their introduction. They never interact with their audience and wonder
why they can't hold the little ones attention for 45 minutes.
One of my favorite parts of each program is greeting the students as
they enter the auditorium. I like to walk among them, shake their hands,
and get them excited.
With the "Magic of Science" program, I'll "pull lights"
from behind their ears. The little ones love it. I will also take a
small hanky, display it, shove it in my fist and ~ viola ~ it vanishes.Then
I'll make it reappear in a boy's shirt pocket. Sometimes I'm getting
applause even before everyone has arrived.
Sometimes I'll go through the audience, asking silly questions. I might
ask a boy and girl how long they have been married. Or ask a little
one how old they are. "Six." "Sixteen?" "No,
six." "Oh sixty?" "No, SIX" "Sixtysix?"
These things can really get the audience ready for the show to come.
The students know I'm FUN! And they want to see what happens next. Nothing
is easier than performing for a warm audience. The children no longer
see you as something distant, but as a person they are interested in.
Someone who makes them laugh.
Sometimes, it is not possible to warm up an audience the performance.
In those instances, I will do something before we start to get them
relaxed, laughing and interested. After the applause dies, I may signal
for them to applaud again. Calm them done and then get them clapping
a third time. I do this simply with hand gestures. Kids find this bit
hilarious.
Another favorite is to tell them my name and then ask them their's.
They all yell out their names and I explain that I couldn't hear them
all. I'll have just the girls yell their names, then challenge the boys
to be louder. As soon as the boys yell out their names, I'll respond,
"Who said SpongeBob Squarepants?" This is always good for
laughs. Use whatever character is popular at the time, preferably with
a funny name. "Now that we all know each other, let's start the
show."
Use your imagination, but any interaction you can create early with
your audience will make your job easier and your show better.
Send me your ideas on how you work with your audiences. Thank you and
God bless.
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Dennis
Regling is a professional magician, author and lecturer. He performs
educational programs at over 250 elementary and junior high schools
every year. Additionally, he performs gospel magic programs at church
camps, Vacation Bible Schools and other church events. Dennis has authored
over 12 books for magicians. Dennis currently resides in Freeport, Ohio
and performs throughout the east and midwest.
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The
Performer's Notebook
