I know there has been a couple of threads on this topic since 2007, but I was just reflecting on my last gig (a wedding reception) and thinking back to how far my appoach has come since I started doing performances.
By approach I mean how you approach and introduce youreself to strangers to start doing magic. I rememer my first gig (a volunteer function), and as I stood at the edge of the room, I couldn't decide which table to go to first, and what to say once I got there. It was so awkward.
Working at a restaraunt gave me much more confidence and I had to come up with methods to work through the tables. My approach became very direct and intentional. Now I'm a bit more laid back in my approach. I dress in a suit and when I approach tables, I ask how everyone is enjoying the evening, and ften people respond as thought hey think I'm the manager of the establishment or someone important with the event. I ask them how they are enjoying the evening, the food etc. then I a introduce myself and that I am the magicain that ___ has brought in to make sure that your evening goes from good to great. Would you be interested in seeing some magic tonight? (they always say yes)
Since reading Eric Mead's Tangled Web, I've really reflected on my approach, and my last few gigs have tried a much more subtle approach. This suits my style much more than the other approaches.
But I would love to hear how do you apporach strangers in a gig setting, and for those who are just ejoying the hobby, how do you set yourself up to be asked to do something when you are among familiar friends and family?
Who has infulenced your approach?
By approach I mean how you approach and introduce youreself to strangers to start doing magic. I rememer my first gig (a volunteer function), and as I stood at the edge of the room, I couldn't decide which table to go to first, and what to say once I got there. It was so awkward.
Working at a restaraunt gave me much more confidence and I had to come up with methods to work through the tables. My approach became very direct and intentional. Now I'm a bit more laid back in my approach. I dress in a suit and when I approach tables, I ask how everyone is enjoying the evening, and ften people respond as thought hey think I'm the manager of the establishment or someone important with the event. I ask them how they are enjoying the evening, the food etc. then I a introduce myself and that I am the magicain that ___ has brought in to make sure that your evening goes from good to great. Would you be interested in seeing some magic tonight? (they always say yes)
Since reading Eric Mead's Tangled Web, I've really reflected on my approach, and my last few gigs have tried a much more subtle approach. This suits my style much more than the other approaches.
But I would love to hear how do you apporach strangers in a gig setting, and for those who are just ejoying the hobby, how do you set yourself up to be asked to do something when you are among familiar friends and family?
Who has infulenced your approach?