Know Your Surroundings

“Just try to keep the foam away from the giant beehive,” my client said.

“Beehive?” I asked, more than just a little nervous.

“Yup. It’s right there,” she said, pointing at the big honking beehive pictured above.

“Well,”: I thought. “ That certainly wasn’t on my Biongo card for things I thought she’d say to me.”

I was setting up for a foam party for a summer camp. In case you’re not familiar with foam, it involves using a big and heavy air cannon to shoot soapy bubbles at kids. They laugh and play in them.

It’s great fun. This is my first year doing foam parties and overall it’s been fun.

But this beehive encounter reminded me of something important when planning your shows.

Know your surroundings.

In every market, there are potential hazards. When designing your show, the more you can anticipate and plan for these challenges, the better off you’ll be.

Here’s the thing. I’m not advocating for a commando-style show that fits all markets.

I know many magicians like to have a show that ‘plays everywhere.’

Great concept., But for me, that would hinder me too much for certain markets.

So I plan out what I hope will be the perfect show for a specific market.

My school assemblies wouldn’t work for birthdays. My birthday shows certainly would not work for schools.

But knowing – and planning – for those hazards for a specific audience and market will save you a lot of stress and hassle at your gigs.

So let’s take a look at some hazards you might encounter in a few popular markets.

BIRTHDAYS:

Birthdays are unique. You might find yourself in a living room, garage, basement, backyard, party center, or hotel banquet hall.

You may be forced to set up in front of a walkway…near the restroom. People may be coming and going behind or in front of your stuff throughout the show.

The family dog, late arriving guests, or surprise visits from long-lost relatives may interrupt your show.

You may not have privacy to set up or adequate space to perform your show.

Mind you, none of these problems are insurmountable. But knowing about the possibilities in advance will help you prepare the perfect show.

PRESCHOOLS:

You arrive for the gig and are told to set up in one of the classrooms. There are kids everywhere, running around at top speed.

The teachers or aides in the room are more concerned with their phones than your show.

Or you start setting up in the classroom only to hear the shrieks of fear coming from the toddlers. They’re freaking out because there is a stranger in their midst.

Your show for school-age kids in the summer is suddenly attended by toddlers and three-year-olds. Did you pack a show that accommodates a wide age group?

LIBRARIES:

Library shows may be performed outdoors, in community rooms, or ‘in the stacks.’

You may have to deal with people looking for books before and after your show while you set up or break down.

Parents may bring their child to a library, p[lop them down, and vanish, as if to say, “They’re your problem now.”

Despite warnings to the librarian who hired you, you may wind up with a wildly diverse age range. Your material should reflect this possibility.

Like birthdays, you may not have the space you need to set up that big problem or that pretty backdrop.

As with birthdays, none of this should prevent you from seeking out these shows. Libraries are a fantastic market.

SCHOOLS:

My favorite market! But definitely one with challenges.

When setting up, you may not get the time you need. Your assembly space may be occupied by an uncarting physed teacher leading right up to your show start time.

Kids may be eating breakfast in the cafeteria and pepper you with questions while you set up.

Teachers or principals may present you with a list of objectives keywords or quotes they may want you to include in your presentation.

Rather than enter in an orderly fashion, kids may run into the assembly area at full speed. Their teachers follow casually behind them. Control might be an issue.

Again, these are all solvable.

CORPORATE GIGS:

Your area for your show might be right in front of the buffet line. And the buffet line is running until about ten minutes before your show is due to start.

For these situations, you’ll want a show that sets up super-fast.

You arrive for your show and find out the bar has been open since 5:00 PM. You go on at 9:00 PM. Everyone is ripped.

The awards presentation you were told would go on “just a few minutes before your show” drags on for two hours.

Attendees are testy and just want to go home. You’re starting at least 90 minutes late.

There are plenty of other markets I could delve into. And for the ones listed above, there are plenty of other hassles too.

I love performing. It’s been a wonderful career. The only thing I’d change is making that full-time leap a lot sooner than I did.

So when I mention these possible dangers, realize that I’m simply stressing the importance of two things:

1. Know your market and the venues’
2. Being prepared for those challenges

Going in knowing your show can handle any curveball creates an immense feeling of confidence and satisfaction.

That feeling of security will allow you to do what you do best – concentrate on performing and connecting with your audience.

Have a great week!

--Cris

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