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gman Special user Lancaster, pa 751 Posts |
If someone was to ask you what special skill set you needed to become a children's performer because they were just starting out, what would you tell them?
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psychod Loyal user I may not be a millionaire but at least I have 244 Posts |
As somebody who works with kids, I'd say a good understanding of children at different ages would be helpful. Certain ages obviously gravitate more towards certain types of tricks and it's important for the performer to understand what would (and would not) be appropriate. I'd add that a good dose of patience is also important as an audience of kids is not always going to be as well-behaved as an audience of adults (there are exceptions to this however! ).
Dave
Just adding my 3 cents worth because anybody can add their 2 cents worth...
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Mike Maturen Inner circle Michigan's Beautiful Sunrise Side 2726 Posts |
You have to be adaptable. As one entertainer used to say, "Kid's say the darndest things!". They also DO the darndest things, and we as entertainers just have to roll with the punches.
Ad-libbing is an excellent skill to develop...as is the ability to laugh at yourself!
Mike Maturen
World of Wonder Entertainment The Magic and Mayhem of Mike Maturen 989-335-1661 mikematuren@gmail.com AUTHOR OF "A NEW DAWN--Weekly Wisdom From Everyday Life" member: International Magician's Society |
Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
If you are 35 years old and still eat at the children's table for Christmas dinner. If all your nieces and nephews wait at the door for you to show up at family holiday parties. If all of your adult relatives roll their eyes when your name is mentioned. If everyone in your family under the age of 20 insist on kissing you every time they see you. If all of these things are true you could have what it takes to become a kids magician.
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
The Mighty Fool Inner circle I feel like a big-top tent having 2140 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-06-25 17:33, Al Angello wrote: True, true, true, true, and true! Well said Al!
Everybody wants to beleive.....we just help them along.
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gman Special user Lancaster, pa 751 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-06-25 17:33, Al Angello wrote: Well that leaves me out Al!!!! Thanks guys got what I needed. |
TonyB2009 Inner circle 5006 Posts |
Aside from what Al says (all true), you need an ability to understand children and get on their wavelength; infinite patience; and an ability to make others laugh.
Check out Tony's new thriller Dead or Alive http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alive-Varrick-Bo......n+carson
http://www.PartyMagic.ie |
danfreed Inner circle West Chester PA 1354 Posts |
You really have to have a real flair for comedy, especially for the 8 and under crowd. For older kids and teens, you can get away with a more dramatic approach if comedy isn't your thing, though if you aren't funny, I'd gently steer you away from being a kids entertainer anyway. You need to really like kids. And you need some degree of talent for improv, though you can improve on that to some extent from experience, confidence, and taking improv classes.
Dan Freed
AKA The Amazing Spaghetti https://www.magiciandanfreed.com/birthday-party-magician-for-kids http://thecaricatureartist.com http://danieljayfreed.com |
Dynamike Eternal Order FullTimer 24148 Posts |
It is something you must be born with.
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TrickyRicky Inner circle TrickyRicky 1653 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-06-25 23:50, Dynamike wrote: I've had this comment many times from parents "you have a way with children" Tricky Ricky |
Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
Tricky Ricky & DynoMike
Know the difference between an opportunity, and a calling.
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
MichaelDouglas Special user Portland, Oregon 766 Posts |
1) I'd add that it is valuable to be a decent actor. I mean you need to be decent as a kids performer at looking surprised (event though you knew what was going to happen), or acting like that balloon that just snapped your finger really does hurt, etc. You need to be comfortable at being silly and goofy as you get the kids laughing. Depending on the age of the kids and the nature of a given group, your presentation might be 30% magic and 70% silliness. If a person isn't comfortable being on the receiving end of a joke or comedic bit, then they may want to rethink the goal of entertaining children.
2) It's also critical to be good at accurately evaluating yourself. If you think a performance went well but the audience is bored, then we've got a problem. 3) Determination: it will take time to adjust and tweek your show until it gets consistently great reviews. If you lake the determination to keep at it, you may give up before you really reach success. You can't be lazy at this. No one gets good without lots of hard work at researching tricks, practicing, performing, adjusting, etc. 4) A commitment to professionalism is also very important. You can be silly with the kids, but you need to be perceived as a serious business man/woman when you interact with the parents to sell the show and handle the paperwork. This involves how well you communicate in writing when you respond to inquiries, as well as just showing up on time, and returning phone calls promptly. 5) You also need to be able to commit time and financial resources to this. It took a couple of years before my show began to show a profit. I'd reinvest fees into books, tricks, marketing training, seminars, equipment, promotion (web site, business cards, advertising, etc.) |
TrickyRicky Inner circle TrickyRicky 1653 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-06-26 08:35, MichaelDouglas wrote: |
TrickyRicky Inner circle TrickyRicky 1653 Posts |
Don't know what happen to my post. It dissapeared.
Ricky |
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