I am 6'1" and often feel quite distant from some child audiences because of my height. When performing school shows this isn't a problem as they can sit at a great enough distance so that my height isn't an issue. However, at birthday parties I do not have this luxury. What techniques have other perfromers used to overcome this. (Needless to say, when a child is on stage as a volunteer, I will often kneel down. It's the kids in the front row during the rest of the show that I'm worried about.)

Have you thought about changing your performing attire to a basketball uniform? LOL!

Seriously though, I don't think the kids will even be bothered by it. You've got to remember that in THEIR world, ALL ADULTS are "tall." You're already doing the right thing by getting down on their level when they come up to help.

I say don't sweat the tall things!

Lyndel

I'm 6'5", and don't think height is a problem for children's shows. I kneel down a bit for volunteers during the first couple of tricks.

When the kids discover my fun personality, the height is not imposing to them in any way whatsoever.

- Donald

There is a fellow in Utah who, I think, is about 6'8" and plays a Harry Potter type guy (how original I know). I think kids will find the height cool.

6'3" here, AND 240...feelin' your pain. BUT..it's not really a problem. Just be cheerful, but let 'em know you don't take crap, either. I don't take rudeness or destructiveness from my 2 kids, and I'm not going to accept that behavior from other people's children, either.

Steve

Michel, I haven't seen you at any of the 6 footer and up meetings! I'm 6'05 and agree with the rest of the guys that the height issue is not really an issue at all.

Take care,

Eddie

I also do some of what Donald suggested. In most cases my personality is established with my warm up and intro rpoutine. Because I am establishing my character and personality early on, they are no afraid of me or my size when they come up to assist me. The trust has already been established between me and the audience.

However, in cases when I am working with younger kids for routines, I will do 1 of two things. I will either kneel down or I will use the small white stool I carry with me to use with the chair suspension and sit on that.

I will always sit down on the stool when I do th chair suspension illusion as I go through the start of the rotuine as I am talking to the child. This builds more trust in them and me and becomes a pyschological thing. They feel more relaxed when I am on their level.

The other time I will sit down on the stool is when I am doing my measle bag routine wth two kids on either side of me. For this, I need to be at their height as the wands and comedy that I use works so much better when I am right there at their height.

Kyle

Steve has credentials in this area!

I would say that a smile goes a long way.


B

At 6' 4" it never caused me a problem. It is all in how you develop the rapport with the kids in the first place.

Gett down on their level is a very reasonable solution,
Thanks,
Hansel!

I like to do at least 3 or 4 effects sitting down with the kids in every private birthday party.

They love it. (parents and kids)

I'm six foot four and I make babies cry.

At 5'5" Tall I have the same problem...I always where low heeled shoes..as not to over power the kids.

Actually I use my height in my programs on character. I talk about my mother who at 4'9" was the tallest person I know.

Many performers ignore the obvious while others use it. Curly haired kids want straight hair, while those with .......

Kneeling down is one solution, though I would not be opposed to standing on a chair, or ladder.

Fear from our kids can come from many things. Most of the time it comes from their own experiences.

On a sewious note, I do believe shifting energy as well as height levels throughout ones show is good for all sized entertainers. This nearly normal guy has gotten down on all fours, kneeled, stood on chairs, ladders as well as got flat on his belly. Flat and Harris' belly is an oxymoron, said Nigel the puppet that rocks and talks.

Six Four here. I carry a small stool for birthday gigs which I use for routines where I want to be closer to eye level with the kids.

Owen I also use a stoll for some of the routines I do (as mentioned above) for me it works well and sometimes I like to sit down t help build trust and often times just because it works much better for reactions in the way the routine is handled. When I do the chair suspension illusion, I choose to sit down first because it really is important that I build trust and friendship with the child before they ever get anywhere near the illusion itself.

Kyle

I'm 5'6" so if I'm performing for most teenagers, they are taller than me! Actually Chicago seems to have quite a few short magicians. I know 3 workers that are shorter than me! I like hanging out with them, they make me feel big.

Edd

I'm not quite that tall, but I have found that its better to get down to their level. I'm not too graceful squatting or kneeling, but I have a small kid sized chair that will hold me, and I often use that to get down to their level. Works great.

I often kneel, if it makes much of a difference in rapport. If the child is old enough to be fully aware of their surroundings, yet is very short, I may ask them if they'd like to grow 7 inches in an instant. I then grab a step stool that is often handy and have them step up on that - it often gets them laughing.

I do find that often tims bringing the child up to my level (by them standing on a stool) or me down on their loevel (by me sitting), allows me greater flexibility with some of the comedy routines I do. When I give a wand to the kid and I dnagle the rubber chicken saying it is a wand (see no see) it just is easier to do. The kids react not only to that but the child also gets to see my facial expressions and reactions more. This to me adds to the fun. So in some ways I use getting to their level as a way to help the routines along and make them work even better.

Kyle

I do crouch, quite a bit, but on the other hand when I do stand straight the contrast between a big tall magician and a little small child is quite amusing. They look quite cute peering up.

George