3 Ways to Stay Organized

I’m embarrassed at how long it took me to pack those shows. But it would have been a LOT longer if I wasn’t so organized.

I’m writing to you today after performing four different shows in two days.

That doesn’t sound like a lot, but when I say four different shows, I mean four different complete shows with different tricks, backdrops, etc.

One show hired me to perform three different shows throughout the day and evening. Once I returned home, I had to swap all of that equipment out and load up my car for a different show at a school the next morning.

I’ve heard stories over the years of some magicians who just perform the same show, regardless of the audience size or ages.

I’d love to do that, but as an educational presenter, I can’t. I need different tricks to deliver and illustrate different messages and lessons.

And I have to prepare for rep[eat audiences.

Before I adopted this philosophy, I’d go into a school with some of the same tricks, even if the show and message were different. Sure enough, the kids would shriek, “I’ve seen that one before!”

It is the bane of kid show performing.

My solution was to ensure each show was 98% different. (That last 2% is my Axtell board which I use in my reading show as well as my holiday shows.)

All of those different tricks mean staying organized is of critical importance.

As I said earlier, planning for four completely distinct shows in two days requires staying organized.

I have developed ways of keeping track of everything over the years. Below are just a few. I don’t think these are particularly revolutionary, but you may find some value.

Additionally, I’m amazed at how many full-time pros I’ve met who have everything they own thrown in a pile in a garage. It’s surprising, to say the least. Me? I gotta know where everything is.

Here it goes…

• I keep each individual show in its own labeled trunk.

Each show has several props and most of these fit comfortably in those big plastic storage footlockers. The ones with the Snap-On lids, I’m sure you’ve seen them.

Most of my tricks fit in each trunk. If a given trick doesn’t fit into a corresponding trunk, it resides at the back wall, either on a shelf or on the floor.

Certain tricks, like my Dancing Hanky, live in their own silver case. Other tricks, like my Up Up & Away Levitation, are too big for a shelf and live on the floor. The key to staying organized is making sure I put each trick back in the same spot after the show.

• Inside each trunk is a laminated setlist.

These are a lifesaver. Back when I only had four or five shows, I had everything in my head. I’d occasionally forget to bring something, which caused me no small amount of stress.

Now, I have these set lists on my computer as well as those laminated sheets. I use laminated sheets, so they hold up to the pounding of traveling to multiple gigs.

As I pack a given show, I can check my list to make sure each trick is complete and in good working order.

Going through the list also reminds me to do a little rehearsal if it’s something I have not done in a while and need to brush up on any sleight of hand or choreography.

• I have two different backdrop frames and Lefler tables.

My decision to buy a second Lefler table and second backdrop frame turned out to be genius. Before that, I’d have to switch out effects each day. Now, I can have one show loaded and ready to go in one table and a second ready to go in the second.

This came in handy this past week.

I got home Thursday night and still had to prepare for the next day. Friday’s show was already loaded in the second Lefler table so all I had to do was carry the case to my car.

Same thing with backdrops. I love using big, bright colorful backdrops for my shows. They add production value and dramatically increase the perceived value of my show tremendously. I can charge a lot more for this added value.

Having a second frame means I can have a second backdrop installed on the frame and ready to go. I have about a dozen different backdrop fabrics, so I’m constantly switching them out depending on the show I’m performing.

In an ideal world, I’d have a dozen frames, one for each backdrop. But I don’t have the space. This is the next best thing.

Staying organized like this minimizes forgetting props, wasting time trying to find specific props, and makes transitioning from one show to another much easier.

What about you? What are YOU doing to stay organized?

--Cris

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