How to 'Train' Your Audiences

I carefully eased my wagon past the father. And I wondered what planet he was from.

I was just finishing the setup for my library show.

People were seated in the performing area long before I was ready to go. Making things more challenging was the area itself was super tiny. It was the latest in a long run of itty-bitty libraries I’ve performed in this summer.

I bring my stuff in using a foldable wagon then stash it elsewhere during the show.

With space so tight, I had to sneak past everyone to move the wagon to a different room.

But what made me pause was the father of one child. There was a fair amount of space on the floor around him to move as I wheeled my wagon past him. Yet he didn’t move his bottom at all. He leaned away a little, which didn’t help my wagon get through.

And both the father AND the mother sat in the front row with their two kids…even though other little kids sat behind them. I wondered briefly about sight lines but since I held my props in the air, decided just to do the show.

I wondered if their kids were special needs, explaining why they sat in the front row on the floor. After a couple of routines, I discovered the kids were not on the spectrum and were well-behaved, not needing any special monitoring.

I could only explain their curious seating decisions as being oblivious to live audience etiquette. Every kid audience I ever performed for had parents in the back, kids in the front.

Except this one.

Truthfully, it didn’t matter. It was a really fun show and I enjoyed myself tremendously.

I think the pandemic has caused a lot of people to forget what it’s like to be at a public event. I’m not accusing anyone of being rude. I think some people just don’t know. And I noticed this happening before COVID, too.

As more and more people devote hours of their daily life to their mobile devices, many of them forget how to engage in real life.

So I think it’s up to us entertainers to help them. I’m going to give you my opening script for my family shows, school shows, library shows…and if I see a really fun group, even some adult shows.

“Good morning, everyone!”

(I wait for a response… if needed, I prompt them again.)

Big sigh. Then, “I said, Good morning, everyone!”

(Everyone responds.)

“I’m Cris Johnson. Everyone say, ‘Hi Cris!’”

(Everyone responds.)

“We’re going to have so much fun today! Before I get started, I just have a couple of quick things to tell you. First, this is a LIVE show, so we need everyone to LISTEN so we can all hear what’s going on.”

(I look at parents as I say this. It’s my way of subtly telling them to work with their kids to help us all have a good time.)

“Second, if you see something you like a lot, clap for it. Let’s try that on three. One…two…three!”

(Everyone claps.)

“Great! Number three, if you see something you DON’T like or didn’t think was fun, I need everyone to clap for it!”

None of that last line is original to me. In fact, I doubt any of this is original to me.

But this introduction trains the audience to respond…on two levels.

First, I’m telling them clearly how to respond during the show. And it goes further.

Each time I get them to respond/clap/say hi to me, I’m establishing compliance. I’m training them to listen to me and follow my lead.

Having an opening script like this helps set the stage for the show. It lets adults know what to expect as well as the rules. And it subtly (subconsciously) trains kids to respond.

This is important., Because so many people only seem to interact with their screens, they may need to be trained/encouraged to respond, clap, and engage with the program.

I think this matters. First, the booker needs to know everyone is having fun. Second, if the audience engages with me, they’ll have a better time.

I wish I could reference who created these bits. But whether you use mine or someone else’s, demonstrating to the audience how to interact is an important part of your show.

It helps audiences bond with you and become part of the show instead of just passively watching it.

This is something I cover in my extensive course on performing assemblies in schools. If you’ve ever thought about getting into the school market, this course gives you a detailed look at what your shows need as well as how to book them. And I even include three complete scripts for three different educational shows.

Check it out, and if you have any questions, hit me up at cris@theprofessionalmagicianclubpro.com.   


--Cris

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Need help in multiple areas? I can help you with your website, direct mail, email, or other marketing strategies. I also offer consulting services for crafting magic routines or even entire shows. Want to find out more? Shoot me an email at cris@theprofessionalmagicianclubpro.com.

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