Planning for Different Stages

“We have a nice big auditorium for you!” my client said with a big smile.

Outwardly, I smiled and said, “That’s great.” Inwardly, I groaned.

I hated auditoriums. They were, in my opinion, the worst place to hold a show.

The reason?

Accessibility. Most auditoriums I’ve performed in had a huge area between the stage and the first row of seats.

That made it tougher to truly connect with the audience because they’re so far away.

Second, it takes a lot longer to get kids up onstage to help with routines.

My second-least favorite stage areas are the old-school stages in gyms.

They are a good four feet off the ground. So I’m elevated way above the kids.

And these stages usually don’t have stairs at the front of the stage.

To go onstage, kids often have to go up a series of stairs around the side of the stage, emerging in the wings.

The result? It takes an excruciating amount of time to get volunteers onstage.

Of course, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention all of the band equipment that usually covers these stages, adding a LOT of setup time as I have to move all of that stuff.

Where you perform your show will impact how successful your show is.

Let’s discuss a few ways you can maximize your show’s success in different seating arrangements.

If you’re a school performer reading this, I feel gyms are usually the best place to perform.

The kids are usually seated on the floor. So are you.

This means getting volunteers up and down is fast and easy.

When performing in a gym, remember that since you’re on the same level as the kids, you’ll need to hold your props up high so everyone can see them.

Even large props become invisible if they are down too low. I often perform for 400-500 kids at a time, so those back rows have the worst sight lines.

The one drawback with gyms is gym classes. Before and after your show, you’ll likely have to deal with gym teachers holding classes.

That means running kids, flying balls, and who knows what else.

The next best area for kids shows? The multi-purpose room.

Many of the ones I’ve performed in have a small stage, usually just a few steps, with the kids seated on the floor in front of you.

These are great because you’re slightly elevated for visibility, but it’s still easy to get volunteers up and down.

Unfortunately, I don’t encounter these as much as I’d like.

Now let’s pivot to corporate shows.

Most of the time, you won’t have any choice of where you perform…but not always.

Most of my corporate shows were held in hotel ballrooms. Round tables that seated six to eight people would be spread throughout the room.

I’d usually be stationed on the dance floor, with tables of guests in front of me and along the sides.

This made for terrible viewing for the audience.

Setting aside the horrible angles for tricks, the bad sightlines meant that at any one point, two-thirds of my audience would be looking at the side of my head.

And since the tables were round, it meant that roughly half the audience would need to turn away from their tables to see the show.

In these situations, I’d do two things. First, I’d ask the DJ (there was always a DJ) to announce that the show was starting in a few minutes.

He’d tell the audience where the show was happening so they could start the process of rearranging their seating for the best view.

This prevented me from having to ask the audience to do it after I’d already been introduced, which is awkward as hell.

Second, since I knew in advance the situation I was heading into, I’d plan the show for maximum visibility.

That means choosing material that I could display to all sides of the room.

And it meant choosing material without any angle problems.

For example, if I were revealing a prediction, I made sure to hold it to the front portion of the audience, then to the sides, so everyone could see it.

Also, I would choose material where people on my sides would not see the method.

Occasionally, the client would ask me how the room should be set up. Yay!

In those situations, I’d try to guide the room setup so everyone was in front of me.

A few times, the client even had rows of chairs set up theater style just for the show.

The audience would enjoy their meals at their tables.

Then they’d make their way to the seating in front of my performing area for the show.

I wish more shows went that way!

Finally, let’s touch upon private parts and birthdays, both kids' and adult shows.

These shows, in my experience, offered the most flexibility potential.

Sure, I’d get some clients who stuck me in a living room with oversized furniture with no way to move or adjust anything.

But many were accommodating and offered to switch things around for the best shows.

In these situations, I’d always try to get the client to let me set up in a room unoccupied by guests.

One with a minimum of furniture.

Oh, and NOT in front of the TV while the men at the party were watching the football game that was always on at my shows.

But if I had no choice in the matter, I always brought smaller props, things I could easily store in my Lefler table before and after I performed them.

And I’d choose material with no angle problems.

Finally, I eventually learned to choose material that sets up fast.

I don’t perform many birthday shows these days. But when I do, I always plan a show that sets up in less than ten minutes.

Here’s your homework for this week:

Look at your booking process.

When you close the deal with a client, do you ask them what the seating arrangements will be? If you don’t, now is the time you start.

If the client gives you options, choose the one that gives your show the best chance to truly shine.

Ask what will be happening in the room before and after your show? This will affect your setup and breakdown times.

Once you have your show seating arrangement/venue information, plan your show accordingly.

Nearly any venue, even outdoors, can work if you plan the right material.

Remember, the true professional gets as much information as possible to plan the best show possible.

Have a great week!

--Cris

 
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