|
|
Go to page [Previous] 1~2~3 [Next] | ||||||||||
jakeg Inner circle 1741 Posts |
I believe that the whole approach of picking out tricks for specific audiences , is wrong. A list of tricks without knowing what you're going to do with them, is worthless. My approach would be to find routines that you wish to do and add the routine to your list, not the trick. Looking for routines for specific props is working bass ackwards.
'Senior citizens' is not a euphemism for 'brain dead citizens'. I think that the most insulting thing that you could do in a show for seniors , is to treat them as children, but you still have to take into consideration that there will be SOME people in your audience with physical limitations. Using my friend Dick Oslund as an example. Here's a guy approaching his senior citizen years who has recently authored a book that's gotten huge acclaim in the magic community. I still want to know how he remembered all of names and dates he came up with. |
|||||||||
Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Ha! Jake!!!
Harry Lorayne wrote a book about "memory"! I'll confess, though, I've never read it. Incidentally, who am I, and, what am I doing here? (hee hee) I was blessed with a good memory, plus I kept an informal journal over the years. --It's a "scrapbook" of "bits 'n' pieces"! Your points about treating seniors like children, is "spot on". When I produced my show, I "thought" SHOW, not TRICKS! Once I had the SHOW, planned, I just selected TRICKS that would create that SHOW! Of course, I had a CRITERIA to guide me, in addition to the SHOW format. Too many performers "accumulate" a bunch of TRICKS, then, they try to put together a SHOW with those "odds 'n' ends". They use a prop, because, "they own it". I've been "told" by a few people in the Café, that I "don't know what I'm talking about! They say, I shouldn't be so concerned with definitions of terms, etc. Well, my "system" worked. --and, "it" kept ME working! Thanks for your kind thoughts about my book!
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
|
|||||||||
Wizard of Oz Inner circle Most people wish I didn't have 5150 Posts |
Quote:
On Apr 9, 2017, jakeg wrote: You bring up a very interesting point which is a can of worms much too large to open here. Basically, in the USA we worship youth and more experienced people are sequestered and treated as a separate population. It's very sad and disturbing. "Senior Citizens." "Golden Agers." "Elderly." ...Nothing you said jakeg, as your post was great. I just wish the USA would treat older people as just "people." Sure they may have health issues, but they are experienced, and knowledgeable, and ready to share what they've learned. That's not a bad thing.
Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.
|
|||||||||
Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Yes!
I'm 85. I should be 86, but, I was sick for a year. I learned a lot in 70 years of performing. The first 20, I was a busy part time pro. The last 50, I was full time. To be successful (i.e. keeping the schedule full) I had to produce a show that would play for almost anyone, almost anywhere. To do THAT, I developed a strict criteria. I've explained briefly, how to do those things, here in the Café, and in more detail in my book. The system "worked". I was never "at liberty". Those young fellows whom I have mentored, and, there have been many, have been successful. Some are full time, others are part time pro's, a few are avid amateurs.
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
|
|||||||||
John Long Inner circle New Jersey 2826 Posts |
I wish I knew Dick back a few years ago - I was doing senior homes and tried to get volunteers up to the performance area. One man was very willing to come up, but when I started asking him to do some simple things, no response. I tried to explain again, still just confusion. Someone eventually said that he doesn't speak English. I eventually made sure the staff would be available for being volunteers - I think the people like seeing them up front.
There is one thing that seemed to help get some residents to volunteer; I did a little pre-show talking with some of the residents, and the staff was surprised that this female resident volunteered - she did great. Still, I would recommend getting some staff ready to help, or at least help with the selection process. I would be careful about card tricks that require the volunteer to know the names of the cards. I've had trouble even with some staff members not knowing the names of the cards. I had Bill Abbott's 5 Card Opener. Yet I was concern that I would be up on stage and not getting the audience response that makes that trick so wonderful. Well, I gritted my teeth and gave it my best shot. Without any prompting, the staff helped stimulate the first audience response, for the 2'nd response cue, I was getting a surprisingly vocal response from everyone, and almost felt silly when it came time to the 3'rd response cue. The 3'rd cue was very good. That routine works! John
Breathtaking Magic;
Not Breath Taking |
|||||||||
Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Right, John!
Whenever I was booked for a primary school (K-3) or even an elementary (K-6) if I got there early enough, I would "work the come in" as we say in the circus. (Little "mud" shows, often have THE (only) "clown meet & greet" as people come in. It sets a friendly mood.) My buddy, Clancy the Clown was on a little "mudder", working indoor dates one winter. Traffic problems, and a flat tire on a truck, had delayed the show's arrival at the armory. The owner, CBd Clancy, enroute, and, said, "Jim! Get your make up on. We're going to be on the lot at the last minute, and, the local committee will admit the crowd, early, due to the weather! You'll need to do a "come in" for at least a half hour, while we unload, and set the ring and props!") Jim was set when they arrived at the armory. He ran in, and did a half hour, plus, with gags, a bit of juggling and a few hand props. Tiny kids, often have never SEEN a live performer, and some may even be a bit scared. So, I would visit with them, and, do little warm up gags, so they would be "comfortable", when the show started. The teachers appreciated it, too. When the office began booking nursing homes, and assisted living residences, I realized quickly that some elderly folks needed a little "warm up time" too. As you noted above, it helped to set the "tone" of the event, and, often I could "spot" a likely lady, to invite for a routine. If not, I could always count on the staff. I never did any card tricks, even in the schools, so I didn't do any in the nursing homes, for the same reason that you mentioned. In the high schools, I used a .22cal. shooting wand. (It got a show stop laugh!) I didn't use it for the elderly shows. (Hearing aids)! --and, although I like surprise "bits", the noise of the wand, might frighten someone. You must have invited the "right lady" for the 5 Card Opener!!!
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
|
|||||||||
jakeg Inner circle 1741 Posts |
I went to see Myron Cohen in a nightclub. When I walked in, he was going from table to table greeting people. By the time he went on, half of that audience thought of him as a friend, and it showed in their responses to him. Shmoozing with the audience can make a huge difference.
|
|||||||||
Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Amen! Jake! and, Shalom aleechim, too!
Myron was a master of TIMING! --And, he KNEW about shmoozing! --A maven, as well as a mentsch!!! I learned quickly, when working schools: Only about 20% had auditoriums with curtains, etc. I couldn't make a "grand entrance"! So, I shmoozed, too! I wonder if it's kosher for a "meshuganer" shagitz goy, to do that!!! hee hee hee hee PS...Are you moved, yet?
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
|
|||||||||
jakeg Inner circle 1741 Posts |
Not moved yet, Dick. Probably by the end of the summer. I'm not looking forward to it .
I don't know where some of you have been working, but most of my shows for older adults are at senior rec centers. My show is the same as I do for any other audience. I change it up somewhat for nursing homes, mainly because of mobility problems, but most of that is in my mind, rather than reality. The key word for me is respect, both in what I do and how I appear, which is how I treat all audiences regardless of age. I dress well, try to speak using proper English, and be gentle with your jokes. I think that one advantage I have is my age. My wife just called me an octogenarian. (Or was ithat orangutan? My memory isn't so good either) |
|||||||||
Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Yeah! I think I'm well settled. I have no plans to move! I was a roadie all my life, but I like where I am.
I have a million $ view of Lake Michigan! I always enjoyed performing for elderly folks, and, now, I am one! hee hee On a George Burns and Gracie Allen show, a "few" years ago, one of the cast said, "But, Gracie, I''m an octogenarian! Gracie responded, "At your age?" Wish we lived a bit closer! I know it would be fun!
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
|
|||||||||
Rainboguy Inner circle 1915 Posts |
Just a couple of things:
(1) If any of "You'se guys" run into Dick Oslund on the street anywhere, any time soon and want to know what the REAL secret of Comedy is, Just ask Dick this Question.."Dick.......What is the REAL SECRET of Comedy?" Dick will tell you. (2) Dick, lately, It would seem that you've been obsessed with ending many of your sentences in prepositions..........We should talk about this.......Because, in the words of Winson Churchill, "That is something up with which, we cannot put!" |
|||||||||
Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Are you thinking of the T*M*NG bit?
Yes, I know about the Churchill line, but Charlie was also obsessed with prepositions. He got me using: "I'm about to take a collection UP!" (pause) "You folks (teachers, parents) --[INSERT ONE] may have noticed that I used a preposition to end that sentence WITH." (pause) "That is because using prepositions is something that I am very fond OF."
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
|
|||||||||
BeThePlunk Special user West of Boston, East of Eden 887 Posts |
There's a cute joke about prepositions.
A young co-ed from the South comes north to attend Harvard. The day before classes begin she hurries around the campus to locate the important buildings. On one of the walkways, she stops a starchy Cambridge matron. "Excuse me, ma'am, can you tell me where the library is at?" To which the old woman takes a step backward in a near faint and gasps, "I beg your pardon?" "Oh, I'm terribly sorry to trouble you, but can you tell me where the library is at?" "My dear girl, at Harvard University we never end a sentence with a preposition." The young woman pauses for just a moment before she says, "Oh, I see. Well then, can you tell me where the library is at,...b*tch?" |
|||||||||
Rainboguy Inner circle 1915 Posts |
I am VERY interested in hearing more from those of you who are actively doing senior shows. I think this is a good thread and will continue to be so as demographics shift towards more seniors being readily-available audiences due to the Baby Boomer "Bulge".
This is a GROWING market with money to be made for those who focus on it, in my experience. |
|||||||||
Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
"Magic!--Oh! That's kid stuff!"
I would hear THAT sometimes in a high school hallway. In my opening lines, I would smile and say, "There is vast difference between 'childISH and childLIKE'!" "Grandma is in her second childhood." --was a line I "usta" hear, years ago. In my last ten years on the road, the school assembly bureau was booking more and more of the assisted living facilities, nursing homes, etc. In Florida, there are many assisted living facilities, that have AUDITORIUMS, with STAGE, LIGHTING, AND SOUND. I have friends who have played them. There is definitely money there. I agree, Rick. This is a growing market! My friend, the late RUSS CHARLES Zieske who had been talent on the "med" shows, and had been one of us school show performers, regularly worked the RV parks along the gulf coast for the "snowbirds". Maybe I should write up a booklet!
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
|
|||||||||
Rainboguy Inner circle 1915 Posts |
Dick:
Maybe you should! |
|||||||||
Rainboguy Inner circle 1915 Posts |
Dick doesn't know this YET.....but he and I are going to be talking more about "The Senior Circuit" when we travel together to the Houdini Club Convention next weekend! I have always enjoyed "picking Dick's Brain", and I have a few ideas to run by him..........
|
|||||||||
jakeg Inner circle 1741 Posts |
If you guys do put out something on senior shows, let us know. Dick's Road book was great reading, but the print size in the table of contents and index is a bit small for my eyes.
|
|||||||||
61magic Special user Sacramento California 775 Posts |
I've worked the senior shows and found out some things along the way.
First the group is usually more women than men, this is important women respond differently to the type of effects. Don't load up on card tricks, men love them women not so much. Some card tricks can use Tarot cards which women will respond better to. Do add a lot of color, women love the silks and flowers. Do add comedy many of the crowd need some cheer. You can do audience participation by going to them not having them come to you. Seniors love involvement. Don't do a lot of complex mentalism, meaning formulas or memory work that could cause confusion. Classics still work the best, most seniors are still used to thinking for themselves. Talk to them, ask how they are doing. Don't just stand up and power through your routines, seniors enjoy conversation and attention. Some of my most rewarding shows came at the senior centers.
Professor J. P. Fawkes
|
|||||||||
dduane Special user Bridgewater, MA 784 Posts |
Great advice. Thanks!
|
|||||||||
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Boxes, tubes & bags » » Senior Show (13 Likes) | ||||||||||
Go to page [Previous] 1~2~3 [Next] |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.03 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |