Sweet Sixteen Magician

[kmagic25]

So i am doing magic at a sweet sixteen soon and im a bit nervous. the reason i am nervous is that I am younger than the high schoolers i will be doing magic for. I am used to doing adult parties but something seams more intimidating about sixteen year olds than adults.
Any Tips?

 

[CaseyRudd]

It is most likely intimidating because of what YOU think. What I mean by this, is that since adults like being entertained, they want to feel like a child again by watching magic. With 16 year olds, they don't want to feel like a child, they want to feel more grown up. So how do you solve this? Perform magic with objects they are used to like cell phones, ect. Now I'm not just saying this is the only thing to do, you don't have to say that you are doing magic. Go about this in a way that makes them think you are just showing them something "weird" or "interesting". When I've performed for 16 year olds and said I was going to show them some magic, they kind of lost interest. Some teens like seeing magic, though.

Another way to go about this situation is to just be yourself and don't act nervous. Make sure the effects you perform are ones that you have nearly perfected or are very good at. If you do something risky and you screw up per se, they like to laugh at you. Trust me, I've been there. It's not a good feeling, but it gets the point across and helped me in terms of selecting effects to perform. So just have fun, when they see you having fun, THEY have fun.

Cheers,

Casey

 

[oooo191]

What I did was perform to everyone in my school literally. That helped me because I could understand their reactions and types if you get what i mean. Obviously your going to get some idiots who want to make you screw up so you want to do one that uses quick sleight of hand.

 

[RickEverhart]

If they sense your "nervousness" they will eat you alive at your first mistake. That being said, I would make sure you are performing effects that you are definitely confident with. Try to make sure everyone is there to have fun and that you are entertaining them...not trying to fool them. Otherwise it becomes a game of them trying to catch you.

Start with a self-working effect with great presentation.
You may have some hecklers in the crowd...I would not try to fight back with witty comments or they all might turn on you.

Using cards, rubber bands, coins, matches, cell phones, lighters, etc. will play well with this age group. If someone does say something funny, play into it and laugh.
You need to make sure you are in control and not the dancing monkey though.

 

[[R.C]]

Make sure you run the show. I'm 17, and perform at my highschool all the time. Teenagers loooove to try to get everyone to look at them, and it's never a good situation for the magician.
As others have said, do effects you are comfortable with. Act calm, and just remember YOU are performing, THEY are watching. They do want to be entertained, you just have to make sure to deliver 110%

On a side note, a good effect to do with a cell phone is B. Smith's Cell. Love that effect.

 

[kmagic25]

thx guys i really apprciate it. my go too effects for this gig will probably be pressure, slink, casino royale with cheese, acr with card to wallet ending, and some cool cell fone magic. I also am considering using the rising card app as it is something that people use all the time.