| Go to page 1 ~ 2 (Next) |
|
|
TheGreatNancini
Veteran user
Ohio
357 Posts
|
Posted: May 7, 2012 2:49am
At one of our school assemblies this week, we had a teacher come up to us while the kids were being seated and ask us if we do magic in our magic show. True Story!
We told her yes, and that we are magicians and that is what we were hired to do.
She asked us if there was any way we could do the assembly without doing magic tricks of any kind.
I thought she had to be joking, but she proceeded to tell us it was because she had one student out of a 600 student school that was Jehovahs Witness and was not allowed to watch magic shows.
When we told her it was not possible to do the assembly without the magic, she seemed very upset with us and said she would have to find someplace for the student to go until it was over.
She walked away very frustrated, and I could accept that, but she was almost angry at us.
So apparently 599 students should not get to see an assembly with magic in order to not offend 1. AMAZING!
I totally get tolerance and am a big proponent of it , but at what point can we expect the one person to have tolerance for the 599 people?
~Nanci
-- Nancilee N. Jones --
Website | Facebook | Twitter
|
Potty the Pirate
Inner circle
4233 Posts
|
Posted: May 7, 2012 4:12am
What I find frustrating about those religious folks who disapprove of "magic", is that they should surely understand that magic is real, it's integral to our very existence. And of course, it's not "evil". Yes, I've encountered folks in the past who ask for "no magic magic shows". What usually works, is to remove any reference to "magic", and simply to present the show as a "spectacle".
Bloody daft if you ask me....
Potty
Potty the Pirate
Sussex Magician
|
Police Magician
Special user
Georgia
600 Posts
|
Posted: May 7, 2012 4:42am
Nanci, I am not shocked that a teacher came up to you and asked you that. When I taught the D.A.R.E Program in the elementary schools for 11 years, I witnessed a lot of this type of stupidity. Nowadays, so many people want to be so polictically correct that they are willing to sacrifice the many for one.
You were hired to do a "magic" show with magic. I remember how a couple of teachers raised cain with me carrying a gun in the school. I talked with them about it. Since I am a police officer and a gun is part of my uniform, what was the problem? They said it scared the kids. I never witnessed a child showing fear of me as many came up to me. They even told me that they could not carry guns in the school. Well "DUH", they are not cops.
Don't let this bother you. You may encounter it again with another idiot. I am very blunt when I speak what is on my mind and don't worry about offending anyone. I don't look to offend anyone, but I will be open and honest with them about things. I am glad to know that this religion does not like magic. Next time they ring my doorbell, I will make a silk vanish in hopes they will as well.
Glenn
Glenn Hester
P.O. Box 3095
Brunswick, Ga. 31521
912-571-8071
www.policemagic.com
https://www.facebook.com/PoliceMagic
|
MickNZ
Veteran user
Auckland, New Zealand
375 Posts
|
Posted: May 7, 2012 6:40am
Idiots are idiots.
Auckland Magician Mick Peck, New Zealand
Visit my regularly updated blog for friends, fans and followers at www.AucklandMagicianBlog.com
|
TommyJ
Inner circle
Foxboro, MA
1099 Posts
|
Posted: May 7, 2012 7:44am
You're doing a magic show? Hummmmmm, can you do me a favor, do you think you can do the assembly without any magic tricks??? (Pure stupidity)
|
TonyB2009
Inner circle
3227 Posts
|
Posted: May 7, 2012 8:05am
Funnily enough, I could do a magic show without magic. Puppets and storytelling would pull me through. But I would not agree to that under those circumstances.
Stupidest thing I was asked was by a parent after watching my ex-wife doing a full hour show.
"Does she speak English?"!
Check out Tony's new thriller The Gilli Gilli Man at Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Gilli-Tony-Black-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B007GFD0NQ/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1363055541&sr=8-16&keywords=The+Gilli+Gilli+Man
|
Full Effect Steve
New user
NJ
82 Posts
|
Posted: May 7, 2012 8:29am
I have been hired and then when I arrived was told I could not use the word magic, wizard, magic wand or use them in the show, or have the kids say the magic words. I very politely told them if I removed all of that from my show it would be about 5 minutes long and not very funny. I basically did the show exactly as I always did because if I had to stand around and think about all that as I did my act it would have been awful. The kids loved it, the teachers loved it, and the person who hired didn't watch but came up after the show and said "Thank you for understanding, the kids seemed to really enjoy it!"
|
RJE2
Veteran user
383 Posts
|
Posted: May 7, 2012 9:57am
The problem in Nanci's situation is not with the child, religion or the education system. The problem is with the one teacher who handled a situation poorly. The teacher being just one individual who spoke her mind, like others here are now doing.
|
Leland
Inner circle
St Louis
1090 Posts
|
Posted: May 7, 2012 10:26am
Difficult to do a magic show with no magic!
Life of Magic!
|
professorwhut
Inner circle
Posts R US sold me
1181 Posts
|
Posted: May 7, 2012 10:36am
STUPID!
"The needs of the many out way the needs of the few".
Spock, Wrath of Khan.
After much soul searching about a signature, I decided not to have one.
Tracy Guillory [aka ProfessorWhut]
|
Donald Dunphy
Inner circle
Victoria, BC, Canada
5998 Posts
|
Posted: May 7, 2012 10:55am
It's also likely that the teacher was under pressure from that child's parents.
- Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
|
Alan Munro
Inner circle
Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
5421 Posts
|
Posted: May 7, 2012 11:25am
I hope the teacher refrains from breeding.
http://www.sneakymagician.com/
|
The Mighty Fool
Inner circle
I feel like a big-top tent having
1765 Posts
|
Posted: May 7, 2012 12:09pm
Quote:
|
On 2012-05-07 08:05, TonyB2009 wrote:
Funnily enough, I could do a magic show without magic. Puppets and storytelling would pull me through. |
|
I doubt it.....I've had a religious type come up to me & complain of the puppets, BEFORE complaining about the magic. She said the idea of a talking monkey promoted evolution. I almost replied "Well then mabye you should shut-up!"
Everybody wants to beleive.....we just help them along.
|
Al Angello
Eternal Order
Collegeville, Pa. USA
10460 Posts
|
Posted: May 7, 2012 12:22pm
Once at a kid show in a church I was warned several times that if I told the children any dirty jokes they would shut off my mic, and not pay me.
At a children's show in a church, what in the world were they thinking?
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com
http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/
"Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone"
|
Ed_Millis
Inner circle
Yuma, AZ
1780 Posts
|
Posted: May 7, 2012 12:23pm
Okay - just going solely off the premise that a defensive and combative performer doesn't look good ....
I wonder if it would be beneficial to reframe a show like this in the context of "a theater performance full of wonderful things - like the special effects you see in your favorite TV shows and movies, only live on stage!" (I could see this only at a school or perhaps the library; a birthday party or other gathering should be free from this - I would hope!!)
Again - I do not agree with the way the teacher handled the situation (although I do agree with RJE2 and Donald in their assessments). I'm thinking only along the lines of attempting to de-fuse a potentially explosive situation involving an upset parent, a child who is singled out and doesn't know why, a pressured teacher, and a magician facced with doing a no-magic magic show. And doing so in a non-combative manner that might help with repeat bookings.
Ed
Ed Millis performs amazing Magic Shows in and around Yuma, Arizona.
Here's the Family Fun Magic blog on Birthday Party Options in Yuma.
Magic never had it so fun!
In Him - In Business
My other blog.
|
arthur stead
Elite user
When I played soccer, I hit
422 Posts
|
Posted: May 7, 2012 2:23pm
Nanci, what a story! We are dealing with pure ignorance. As Mick said, idiot are idiots!
In P.C.-mad states, it's getting to be very difficult to create fun programs for schools and libraries. As an example, for Halloween shows here in Washington state, we are not allowed to mention Halloween. We also cannot mention a ghost, a skeleton, or a carved pumpkin (although non-carved pumpkins are OK, for some reason). In addition, the word "witch" is taboo. Want to know the official explanation? Because it might be offensive to ugly people. LOL!
Glenn ... love your idea of making a silk vanish! My dad used to get rid of those "door-knockers" by inviting them in for a drink!
|
David Thiel
Inner circle
Western Canada...where all that oil is
2582 Posts
|
Posted: May 7, 2012 2:34pm
**sigh**
Doesn't make any sense to me, Nanci. What a world, huh?
David
When you gaze up at the sky in breathless wonder, you are probably one second away from walking into a tree.
www.magicpendulums.com
www.theseriouslyfunnymagicguy.com
www.MidnightMagicAndMentalism.com
|
Al Angello
Eternal Order
Collegeville, Pa. USA
10460 Posts
|
Posted: May 7, 2012 2:50pm
Arthur
Great idea next Saturday afternoon when the Jehovah Witnesses come to my door I'll invite them in for a couple magic tricks.
I love it
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com
http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/
"Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone"
|
TonyB2009
Inner circle
3227 Posts
|
Posted: May 7, 2012 3:04pm
Quote:
|
On 2012-05-07 12:09, The Mighty Fool wrote:
Quote:
|
On 2012-05-07 08:05, TonyB2009 wrote:
Funnily enough, I could do a magic show without magic. Puppets and storytelling would pull me through. |
|
I doubt it.....I've had a religious type come up to me & complain of the puppets, BEFORE complaining about the magic. She said the idea of a talking monkey promoted evolution. I almost replied "Well then mabye you should shut-up!"
|
|
I love that last line! Pity you were too polite to use it!
I did arrive at a summer camp to do an hour for a group of over 200 children and parents, to be told they had had a magician a few days before, and could I leave out the magic. I did an hour of storytelling, and they were so impressed I got a gig a week for the rest of the season. But then I love storytelling, and it was a fun gig for me.
Check out Tony's new thriller The Gilli Gilli Man at Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Gilli-Tony-Black-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B007GFD0NQ/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1363055541&sr=8-16&keywords=The+Gilli+Gilli+Man
|
Billy Bo
Special user
622 Posts
|
Posted: May 7, 2012 3:05pm
Quote:
|
On 2012-05-07 12:09, The Mighty Fool wrote:
Quote:
|
On 2012-05-07 08:05, TonyB2009 wrote:
Funnily enough, I could do a magic show without magic. Puppets and storytelling would pull me through. |
|
I doubt it.....I've had a religious type come up to me & complain of the puppets, BEFORE complaining about the magic. She said the idea of a talking monkey promoted evolution. I almost replied "Well then mabye you should shut-up!"
|
|
But I'm sure if it were a talking snake puppet that would of been more than believable
|
Stevethomas
Inner circle
Southern U.S.A.
3562 Posts
|
Posted: May 7, 2012 5:22pm
Nancini...
...sigh...that's all there is to say about that moron teacher. It would offend me for her to be offended.
Steve
|
ku7uk3
Inner circle
1467 Posts
|
Posted: May 7, 2012 6:12pm
What crime did Jehovah do that he needs this child to be a witness in court?
Was Jehovah the teachers name by any chance?
Children's Entertainers Guidebook 2012
447 Pages, A4 size. Every marketing tip, strategy and advertising plan I have ever used - all in this one book!
www.AmazingStephen.co.uk
|
TheGreatNancini
Veteran user
Ohio
357 Posts
|
Posted: May 7, 2012 8:21pm
I love all of the diverse thoughts on this matter!
Fortunately, it was the Principal who hired us and ironically this school is a repeat customer, so they knew what we do. The teacher was apparently new. I really think she was trying to test the waters of authority, because the Principal told us she was out of place for even approaching us. He said if she had an issue she needed to bring it up with him because he was the one in charge and the ultimate decision maker for his school.
Thankfully he really likes what we do and has already booked our new assembly for next year, so I do not think repeat bookings are an issue as one person mentioned in this thread.
As for performing without the magic as one person said they could do, I don't think that would have been a good idea, since we were hired to do our show the way we sold it.
Glen and Al- You almost make me hope some JW's knock on my door so I can "entertain" them. 
Thanks for all of your thoughts everyone!
~Nanci
-- Nancilee N. Jones --
Website | Facebook | Twitter
|
TomBoleware
Inner circle
Hattiesburg, Ms
1677 Posts
|
Posted: May 7, 2012 9:01pm
Playing devils advocate here,
but maybe the teacher was just looking for an out for the child. Having to separate a child from their friends is not an easy thing to do. I can sort of understand a new teacher not knowing how to deal with all the different beliefs. Still I do agree she didn't handle it the best.
Generally if the Jehovah Witness child doesn't take an active part in the activity, everything is all right. Of course some JW parents are more understanding than others.
I think Nanci handled it well, but in hindsight, maybe if she had told the teacher that the child didn't have to take part in the show, she could just sit and watch, and she would refrain from using any 'real' magic in the show, the teacher would have been satisfied. You never know. Sometimes just saying 'yes madam' and moving on with what you doing works.
But yes, I completely agree, it is bizarre. Public schools ain't what they use to be.
Tom
Tom Boleware
|
Dynamike
Eternal Order
20601 Posts
|
Posted: May 7, 2012 9:47pm
How did everything end up Nanci? Did the show go good? Were there any complaints afterwards? Was the teacher present during your performance?
I probably would have told the teacher it was a science show.
Dynamike
Oakland County Magician Macomb County Magician Wayne County Magician Detroit Magician Detroit Clown
|
Steven True
Special user
Puyallup,WA
711 Posts
|
Posted: May 7, 2012 9:57pm
In a day when most of the school children don't even know the Pledge of Allegiance even is I don't doubt that other requests like this one will start to show up more and more, I hope not but time will tell. I don't care what religious organization it is it seems to me that the teacher was in the wrong from jumping over the channels that she should have followed. Nanci it sounds like you handled it as a professional even though you might have wanted to say a lot.
I once read a couple of years ago about a kindergarten boy in the midwest had kissed a little girl on Valentines day when they were out on the play ground. The teacher found out about it and the boy was suspended and put in some crazy sexual harassment class. Another young 1st or 2nd grader was suspended because he held his hand up in the shape of a gun, like I did all the time growing up, and that is the way we are going now. A few are making it harder for for the masses to enjoy life. Oh and by the way, when I used to play cops and robbers when I was a kid, we all went home after playing to our families. None of the kids I played with ever grew up to hurt or kill anyone. Sorry I do ramble.
I just think you handled it wonderfully.
Steven
|
TomBoleware
Inner circle
Hattiesburg, Ms
1677 Posts
|
Posted: May 7, 2012 10:13pm
Quote:
|
I probably would have told the teacher it was a science show.
|
|
Yeah, or a Pep Rally. Anything without voodoo in it.
Tom
Tom Boleware
|
Jeff Christensen
Regular user
181 Posts
|
Posted: May 7, 2012 10:57pm
Schools have events like this all the time. Sounds like the teacher didn't check the school schedule very well and hadn't made other arrangements for their student. Rather than accepting responsibility for their oversight they wanted you to solve their problem.
|
TheGreatNancini
Veteran user
Ohio
357 Posts
|
Posted: May 8, 2012 12:32am
Quote:
|
On 2012-05-07 21:47, Dynamike wrote:
How did everything end up Nanci? Did the show go good? Were there any complaints afterwards? Was the teacher present during your performance?
I probably would have told the teacher it was a science show.
|
|
Dynamike,
The show went great and we received many compliments from several students and teachers, although I never saw that particular teacher again.
The Principal liked it so well that he booked us for our new assembly for next year already.
I heard no complaints from anyone after the show.
As for your comment about a science show, it reminds me of another instance at a different school, where a teacher came up after the show and said "You know magicians are just scientists". To which I replied, "Yes , but I bet we are the most entertaining scientists you have ever met". She laughed and said "Yes, that you are".
~Nanci
-- Nancilee N. Jones --
Website | Facebook | Twitter
|
Dynamike
Eternal Order
20601 Posts
|
Posted: May 8, 2012 8:44am
I am glad everything ended in a well manner.
Dynamike
Oakland County Magician Macomb County Magician Wayne County Magician Detroit Magician Detroit Clown
|
| The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » The little darlings » » Just When I Thought We Had Heard and Seen It All! |
|
|
| Go to page 1 ~ 2 (Next) |
![[8]](/forums/images/digits/8.gif)
![[1]](/forums/images/digits/1.gif)
![[4]](/forums/images/digits/4.gif)
![[9]](/forums/images/digits/9.gif)
![[5]](/forums/images/digits/5.gif)
![[6]](/forums/images/digits/6.gif)