How to Bring Real Emotion into Your Performances

Today I performed my first Christmas show of the season.

That’s why this newsletter is going out later than normal.

My wife’s favorite routine in my Christmas Magic show is when I let real emotion slip into my performance.

Here’s my script for the routine:

“My favorite part of Christmas is driving around looking at Christmas lights. My parents would take me out every Christmas Eve to look at peoples’ houses decorated with lights.

“As I got older, I got married. My wife’s favorite part of Christmas is also driving around looking at lights. We do it every Christmas Eve. The lights are so pretty and really put us in the holiday mood.

“So I thought I’d bring a little of my favorite part of Christmas to you today.”

Then I start my music and perform the Miser's Dream with D’Lites.

If you haven’t seen the prop, you use D’Lites to pluck red ‘lights’ out of the air. One by one you drop them into a translucent white bag.

The audience can clearly see the lights ‘tumble’ through the bag, making a ‘pile’ of lights that fills up the bag.

It’s beautiful and simple.

And because I’m telling a story that resonates as true, my performance changes. I become more sincere.

Since I’m mostly a kid show performer these days, my shows are usually filled with goofy magic, jokes, and join-in fun.

But every once in a while, I’ll drop the façade and give audiences a peek at the real me.

I’ll do this during my Anti-Bully shows and my Character Education shows, too.

By telling true stories from my past, I become more than a character. I become a real, three-dimensional person to the audience.

Some would argue you should be sincere in every routine. Me? I’m only comfortable doing it for specific routines.

Besides, those select routines stand out more that way.

These ‘looks behind the curtain’ can strengthen the bond between the performer and the audience.

When you tell a true story, it resonates strongly with an audience.

If you’re a good enough performer, they can sense this sincerity.

I’m certainly not saying my script for the routine above is noteworthy. But since it’s true for me, audiences, especially adults, tell me it’s their favorite part of the show.

Just telling a true story may be enough. But if you’re willing to go a little further, I have a simple acting tip for you.

When you rehearse telling the story (you DO rehearse, right?), do this:

As you tell the story, remember where you were when you were experiencing whatever it is you’re talking about.

Where were you?

What was around you?

Were you inside or out?

How old were you?

Think of everything you could see from that memory.

Make the images as real in your mind as you can.

If you can’t visualize, don’t worry. I have a little tip for you.

Just think about those things. Don’t visualize, just think about them. That’s for the roughly 20% of the population that is not as adept at visualizing.

For the rest of you, practice ‘seeing’ those things in your mind’s eye.

Then add sound. What did you (or others around you) say? What did they sound like?

Imagine the other sounds, too.

Finally, add feelings. Were you outside? If so, could you feel the sunshine? Or the wind against your skin?

What emotions did you feel? Imagine yourself back in that moment, feeling those same emotions.

As an experienced hypnotist, I can tell you this is a simple yet powerful way to tap into your past memories.

By remembering what you saw, felt, and heard, you’re ‘building the gestalt,’ making the memory real and tangible.

The result? Your performance is drawing from your real experiences. Your audiences will easily pick up on your sincerity even more.

This is a simple, powerful way to convey true emotion through your performances.

I will caution you to be selective about what memories you tap into.

Here’s a story to drive this point home.

Around 35 years ago, a friend of mine and I were performing an informal show for some friends in a living room.

Back then, we performed almost nothing but Bizarre magic or mentalism.

My friend wanted to bring real emotion to his performance.

And the piece he was doing was very dark, like a lot of Bizarre magic. For the life of me, I can’t remember what he was performing.

Only how the performance fell apart because of his emotions.

He was telling a story about how his father used to beat him. My friend was and is a very sensitive guy.

Telling this story tapped into some powerful emotions and he wasn’t able to continue.

So he asked me to do my next piece while he composed himself.

I tell you this story for two reasons:

First, to illustrate how powerful this simple technique is.

To brighten the mood, imagine the joyous memories most (hopefully all) of you reading this can tap into.

You can bring those powerfully happy emotions into your show and create a wonderful experience for your audience.

Second, be mindful of what memories you decide to tap into.

Our most vivid memories are linked to powerful emotions. That’s why we remember them so well.

What kind of stories from your past can you use to bring real emotion into your performances?

Have a great week!

--Cris

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