when performing for strangers what do you look for in picking a suitable audience,as in ones that wont heckle you as much and will actually appreciate your performance and how do you bail out if it turns out to be a bad group of people?
When to approach a stranger
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You have practiced and learned and refined you routine so that it is perfect. You have given up time with your friends and you have worked hard. You have performed it for your family, friends and teachers and they all have been amazed…
So now your hands sweaty and the butterflies in your stomach have mysteriously turned into large bats. Why because you are fixing to take the next step… you are going to perform for a total stranger… but how and when to approach a stranger with your magic.
This is the part that makes strolling magic the hardest form of magic there is. But you are ready and here are a few hints on when to approach a stranger.
Here is an experiment that I would like for you to try without cards, coins or any magic at all. Go to your local mall and just watch and observe how people are acting and what they are doing. Walk around while you are observing and just say hello to different people. This should help you with you own approaching strangers.
Now when you are ready to approach a stranger with your magic then do so with confidence and then ask them the question. Don’t be discouraged if they say no because they maybe doing something they consider more important or maybe they don’t like magic.
If at first you don’t success try and try again. But keep asking strangers if they want to see magic (or whatever you have choice for an opening line). After awhile someone will say yes and then you will get to perform for that person.
Here are some hints on who not to and who to ask.
Don’t ask the person who keeps looking at his or her watch… they have an appointment or are waiting on someone.
Don’t ask the mother who has 5 screaming kids with her “saying I want that mommy”…
Don’t ask someone who is rushing around between stores… they are in a rush.
Do ask the group of teens that is just hanging around the mall.
Do ask the old couple that is sitting there in the court relaxing.
Do ask the person that looks like they are there to have a good time. (Provide even more fun for them)
Make sure that you choice environments to one that people are trying to relax and have fun.
Whatever you choice to do you will have to one day perform for a total stranger and you need you confidence built up. Be thick skinned because you will get turned down more then you will get to perform but if you never ask a stranger then you will never get to perform for a stranger.
Once you perform for a stranger then you will want to perform even more and more. It is like a drug but a million times better and when you get home you will be bouncing off the walls.
Have fun and perform for everyone… family, friends and even total strangers. There is no DVD or video that you will learn this skill from…. you will have to get real world experience.
Please add your own real world experience here... let everyone know the experiences that you have had the good and the bad.