Emergency Kit & Show Lineup Sheets

I checked again in my case and groaned.

I had forgotten a key gimmick for two of my routines. And I was 100 miles from home.

I rarely forget props. But this was a special magnet I wear in the back of my pants. I had forgotten to swap the magnet out of last night’s pants into today’s pair. Oops.

Since COVID hit and I transitioned to being a part-time magician and full-time digital marketer/copywriter, I had neglected to put my emergency kit back into my roll-on tables.

Carrying an emergency kit lets you make roadside repairs or replace lost or broken supplies in a pinch. And while I never want to use my emergency kit, it’s nice knowing it’s there if I need it.

My kit usually lives in my show case at all times.

Like many magicians, I have a Lefler-style roll-on table. (Actually, I have two, but that’s only so I don’t have to scramble to repack different shows on consecutive days.)

In the bottom compartment, I typically carry a small plastic case with different compartments. It’s the kind of container used to hold crafting supplies.

In my container, I have a roll of black electrical tape, fishing thread, black thread, and several strips of Velcro. These are all useful for any number of repairs.

I also carry spare batteries for my microphone, a couple of magnets, paper clips, and safety pins. Hey, you never know.

Finally, I also carry a few extra mouth coils in this case. I don’t use mouth coils in every show, but in a pinch, I can switch to it if a prop breaks or I forget something. I don’t know how you feel about mouth coils, but my routine is strong enough to close a show. It’s one of the tricks everyone comments on after I finish.

These days, I typically don’t forget props very often. Not since I brought my show sheets.

I have typed up my set list for every show. Bully, character, reading, Halloween – you name it, each show has its own sheet.

For libraries, each show has one line-up and thus one sheet. For schools, I have two sheets – one for younger grades and one for older grades.

Each sheet lists the trick, its approximate runtime, and for educational shows, the educational tie-in to the trick.

Each sheet for library or elementary school shows is also laminated. That way, water doesn’t ruin the sheet.

I place the sheet on top of my side table, which sits on a stand to my left, behind one of my roll-up banners. Every time I finish a trick, I can easily ditch it to my left into the side table. Well, it’s more of a side ‘cube’ with plenty of space for most of my props.

This keeps my transitions between tricks fast and smooth. As Eugene Burger used to say, “No wobbling.”

Truthfully, I only started keeping these set lists next to me while I perform about five years ago. I used to take pride in simply remembering everything. But as I kept adding shows, it became too hard.

Before COVID, I might be on the road five days a week. And I might be performing three or four different shows that week. I finally admitted I needed some help keeping things straight.

I also use these sheets to make sure I bring everything with me when I pack for shows. While my system may not be the best, it works for me.

Having set show lineups keeps me organized and secure. There’s nothing I fear more than ‘winging it.’

I’ve heard of some performers who put together a different set list for every show they do. Or they pile a bunch of tricks into their case and do the show on a whim.

I’ve even seen one or two performances like that. Some have been good shows. If that’s your style and you can do it well, my hats off to you.

Me? I like knowing where everything is and when I’m going to perform it. It makes my transitions smoother. And the whole show has a flow to it.

What about you?

How do you stay organized?

What’s in your emergency kit, if you have one?

I’d love to hear. Email me at crisjohnsoninfo@verizon.net.

Until next time, have a great week!

--Cris

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