How Do You Handle Small Audiences?

Four kids looked back at me as I greeted the audience.

I was starting my umpteenth Summer Reading Program show of the summer. It’s been a busy season with lots of ups and downs.

Ups, mainly because I’ve been so busy. Not as busy as other library performers, but more than busy enough for me.

Down because about half of my shows have only had six or fewer kids attend. Libraries are struggling to get people back into their buildings since COVID struck.

They explain to me that people have found other things to do with their time. But I’ve noticed it’s only in the very teeny towns I visit. Bigger city libraries’ numbers are at or near pre-pandemic levels.

But the reasoning behind the small turnout is not what I want to cover today.

This week, I wanted to tackle some commonly held pearls of wisdom when it comes to small shows.

I’m not sure if this is across the board or only the advice of a few select experts I’ve heard. But many kids show experts say that when you’re faced with an unexpectedly small crowd, it’s up to you to still put on a great show. In this, I completely agree.

The folks who came to your show did so because they wanted to have a good time. It’s not their concern (nor should it be) that you’ve got such a small audience.

But where I differ from some of these experts is their approach.

Many of these gurus claim that when you’re faced with an itty-bitsy audience, you’ve got to ramp up your energy! Come out blazing!

I liken this approach to certain comic book pictures I’ve seen over the years. The ones where the hero or villain has their fists clenched, arms up, eyes closed, and they’re Projecting (capitalization intended) all their energy out.

And the reader can see these energy bolts, waves, or whatever emanating from the person’s body.

So the recommended protocol, then, is to come out high-energy and give it your ALL!

Sounds good in theory., But in practice, I disagree.

Time after time this summer, I’ve been met with small groups of kids who were extremely shy. They didn’t want to volunteer. And because they were in such a small group of kids, they felt very studied by the adults present.

“Go on, Janice, get up there! It’s FUN!”

And little Janice comes up and, when faced with the piercing stare of the audience, locks up even further.

My policy? I gently ask the volunteer if they’d rather sit down. And if the answer is ‘yes,’ I don’t cajole them to get through the routine.

So I choose, when faced with a small audience, to dial down my energy. I try to match the level of the kids. I don’t want to be bombastic and frighten them.

But as the show progresses, many times these small groups of kids will come out of their shells. After a few routines, they loosen up. They giggle. And they happily volunteer.

What I’m talking about here is rapport. Meet the kids where they are.

Comedy clubs are the best at this. They pack people in very tight. Not only does it trigger a feeling of ‘safety in numbers,’ but it also encourages laughter.

Laughter, like so much human behavior, is contagious. If people are close to each other, a few people laughing can trigger the entire group to laugh.

I recall going to a comedy club years ago. My friend Rodney dragged me to one in Austin, TX. I wasn’t happy about going. Every time I had seen a comedian in the past (usually on cruise ships), they decided to make the audience part of their act.

It was usually put-down humor, making fun of someone’s name or occupation. I hated it.

As we entered this particular comedy club, it was disappointingly barren. And of course, the folks running the place herded us right to the front.

The show got off to a rocky start with the opener. He came out and tried a few bits that didn’t go over well. But instead of doing the best he could, he turned on us. He scolded us, saying “If you don’t start reacting, I’m going to try out the new material on you.”

It was an appalling experience.

Thankfully, the headliner that night did not insult the crowd. I wound up having a good time.

And I think one of the reasons why we laughed so much is we were packed in tight with the (small) audience around us.

But what struck me was the headliner. He knew he had a small crowd. And he announced at the beginning of his set that he was going to give us a great show. We all relaxed and did indeed have a good time.

So the next time you have a smaller-than-expected crowd, gauge the audience before dialing up or dialing down your energy.

Meet them where they are. Put on a great show. And ‘lift’ them to come with you.


Have a great week!

--Cris

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