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tomthemagicman New user 30 Posts |
I am in a bit of a jam. I got really busy this year leading up to auditions for the school talent show I usually perform in. Since I missed the auditions I volunteered to MC. They said they'd want me to, but they also want me to include magic. How does this usually work? Should I perform something right at the beginning, or do small bits between acts (there never is too much time between them) or should I just tell them no. I don't want to step on people who are actually perfoming's toes since I didn't even audition so I feel kind of like I shouldn't and I should just stick with MCing. The show is in a 5 weeks. What are your thoughts?
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Bob Sanders 1945 - 2024 Magic Valley Ranch, Clanton, Alabama 20504 Posts |
Go for it!
Bob |
magicgeorge Inner circle Belfast 4299 Posts |
I say go for it too. It'll be fun.
You're right that you shouldn't make it all about yourself or overshadow the participants but you will need to warm the crowd up for them. A trick at the start is fine, especially something interactive that will get the crowd involved. If there's an interval you may need another effect afterwards. Apart from that, find out the running order in advance and write everyone a good intro. Add a few jokes along the way, you might be able to do the odd quick visual trick here and there between acts but don't go nuts Don't be afraid to tell the crowd to clap and cheer |
harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
MC'ing is great fun and different from doing a show. Keeping it going and not "going on and on and on and on..." is a lesson some MC's don't get. It is not about you, but with you the show might not have a good flow. Be ready for longer bits if a set up goes longer than planned. Warming up the audience might include magic, or one of your other talents. It is great that they thought enough about you to ask. Learn the correct pronounciation of names. Some performers may have a specific introduction they want included.
Enjoy what you learn and pass it on. Harris
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
Thomas Wayne Inner circle Alaska 1977 Posts |
If you care enough to want to do a great job you might want to read this book:
http://www.amazon.com/Book-Hosting-How-S......11677846 If I remember correctly I bought it as a pdf download, but you may have to search around to see if that option is still available. TW
MOST magicians: "Here's a quarter, it's gone, you're an idiot, it's back, you're a jerk, show's over." Jerry Seinfeld
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tomthemagicman New user 30 Posts |
Thanks for the great advise guys. I'm gonna go ahead and do it. I was kind of wondering where to fit in the magic component, so thanks magicgeorge for the tips. I'll probably do something comedy (I'm thinking cut and restored rope, clippo with newspaper headlines, or perhaps magicians insurance policy... any other suggestions?) I'm not anticipating many long breaks between acts as it ends up being lots of singers, but I'll prepare some extra stuff incase there are difficulties. I'll get a copy of the list and track them down before the event so I can figure out how to introduce them all. Thanks again guys.
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Sealegs Inner circle The UK, Portsmouth 2597 Posts |
George's advice is excellent for this especially starting with an opening routine and again after any interval. I would only add that you should might want to have something ready in case you need to fill between acts in case there should there be some kind of delay.
Ideally this should be routines that you can cut short in an instant. In this regard, clippo and the cut and retored rope would be ideal as stand bys as these can be routined to be as long or short as you want and are effects you can instantly bring to a close. One other thing, don't get anyone up on stage. Cutting a routine short isn't easy when you have to send someone back to their seat. Have a good gig.
Neal Austin
"The golden rule is that there are no golden rules." G.B. Shaw |
harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
Warming up a crowd is very important. Your first act will thank you for it.
I used to dread being first in a group performance gig. It is a bit easier these days. Enjoy the process...
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
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