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revlovejoy Special user Pennsylvania 765 Posts |
I performed my annual pre-school show today, with great success.
It was after this show last year that I had the moment of clarity. I realized I needed to better script the show, and worry more about presentation. I found the Café, and this last year has been a growth in my magic. I didn't book any gigs for my usual show, and now I'm about ready to put my new one into production. I want to thank all the contributors on this forum. I've lurked, asked questions, and pretended I knew what I was talking about, but mostly I've leeched information like a sponge. Today was a bit of a warm up for my rebirth in the art. It went well, but something really quite funny happened. The first group was 4.5 to 5 years old. Everything played well visually. Once I did ink to goldfish, I was a made man. But 3 year olds, wow. I knew there was a major developmental different. Here's the concrete proof: Hippity Hop rabbits. It played perfectly for the first group. They were busting a gut at catching me in the fake magic. But the 3 year olds totally bought it. I could have not continued to show the yellow and red, and they were with me the whole way. didn't' bother them that I turned them around, yeah wow! That was magic! They really did change places! They clapped and cheered for every turnaround. I debated whether to even reveal the red and yellow. I did, and it was like an extra whole trick to them! I know this is not news to you experienced folks, but it was just funny to get to see within an hour of each other, the vast change between those ages. Ah, my toddler (2.5) still loves whatever coin work I do for her, so long as the coin comes back for her pocket. (Goes in the piggy bank later of course.) I can't wait until she's in kindergarten doing coin matrix moves at recess. PS - I booked another gig from a Mom in attendance. I wasn't expecting that, but it sure was validation of the show. |
Brian Lehr Inner circle Edmonton, Canada 1605 Posts |
Great job Rev!
Every show is a learning experience, and every show is a marketing opportunity (congrats on the new booking!). Brian |
esther_scheffer Veteran user the netherlands 316 Posts |
Do you use the same tricks for the 3 years olds as for the 4-4,5 years olds?? And maybe with a little different pattern and a different reaction like on hippity hop rabbits, but same trics succesfully?
I wonder, because Hippity hop rabbits sounds to have worked great, although ot as a sucker trick. But I wonder about other sucker tricks to. And like Run Rabbit Run, will it be any fun if the kids don't catch up with the "look-don't see" ellement. Or will they get that at this age????? (I've also experienced a lot of different reactions in groups of 3 years old and can't really find out witch trics are suitable (easier to define for 4 year olds I guess). |
Chad C. Inner circle 1522 Posts |
As you have seen, 3 yr olds like the whole thing-it's all magic to them. I do an egg bag and perform the part where you fake it under your arm (like on the Ken Scott video), and then I always ask the kids if they saw how I did the trick. The four's say "under your arm!," but the 3's say it disappeared, it's real magic!
I love doing this age group because to them you are a real magician! Chad |
neoreform New user 54 Posts |
Everything is magic to a 3 year old!
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Steve V Inner circle Northern California 1878 Posts |
Yup...everything is magic to 'em. As long as the lil' guys are having fun don't worry about it, add a puppet to your act for them.
Steve V |
esther_scheffer Veteran user the netherlands 316 Posts |
Guess you all are right. Life itself is magic to this age group!
By the way it was not so much a worry as an interest. It is interesting to me why something (a concept or a tric or a routine or ...) works one time and does not work the other time. It is fasinates to find out the reasons and/or psychology behind it. And usefull because as I know it, I can use something more deliberatle, or leave something out. |
Chrystal Inner circle Canada/France 1552 Posts |
Hi Rev,
Glad to hear it went well for you! You're right about the differences between the ages of 3-4, but as long as you are able to hold their attention for a period of time, you're already a step ahead. It's easy to forget sometimes the differences in maturation amongst kids of even an 1 year. Teachers know there is a huge difference between the Kindergarten December kids compared to those born in Jan and had to wait 9- 10 months before they are able to register for school in the fall. The difference is those 10 months is amazing! The Jan kids have no problems (usually) holding scissors, able to grip pencils properly, write their names..ect..compared to their counterparts whom were born in Dec. Best wishes and glad to hear it went well for you! Chrystal |
John Long Inner circle New Jersey 2826 Posts |
Rev
Nice to hear of your successful retooling. I am just starting to learn how to perform for children by performing at their bedside in a local hospital. If you haven't read it yet, I highly recommend Kaye's Seriously Silly. He explains well the differences between the ages, what will be entertaining to them and what will be magical to them. In particular, he points out the value of doing magic with objects they are familiar with(like pulling coins out of their ears). He comments that for the very young(~3-5), using an unusual looking prop will not seem any more magical to them than talking on a cell phone to grandma - they will conclude that just as that small piece of plastic has grandma in it, so your prop is just doing what it is supposed to be doing(e.g.; producing a coin). But, if you produce a coin from their ear, which they are very familiar with, that will be truly magical to them, since they know coins do not normally come out of their ears. Further, using the same basic trick, he describes how to perform it for the different ages; very interesting! Beyond the chronological age, I've noticed differences w/i an "age" (just child to child variability), and I am trying to gauge their response after the first 1 or 2 tricks, to determine what tricks I will do next. Based upon their response, I will either continue with the younger age effects, or move up to some more sophisticated ones. This makes me realize how difficult it could be to perform to a crowd of varying ages. John
Breathtaking Magic;
Not Breath Taking |
Chad C. Inner circle 1522 Posts |
I'll add a little to this again. Puppets were mentioned earlier and I second that-I use the Axtell Possum and the "hiccups" routine and the 3 yr olds just laugh and laugh everytime he hiccups-they laugh so hard that they miss the next couple of lines. The four yr olds laugh and then get quiet so they can hear what he will say next. Both groups are having a blast.
I also use a square circle to produce a bunch of silks. I have the whole thing covered with a silk cloth before I do the routine. When I uncover it for 3 yr olds, they think that is just as magical as the routine-and I haven't even started the routine yet. They also like to call out the colors of each silk. Performing for varying ages (like 3 - prek) is not as difficult as it may seem. Just make the effects entertaining and funny and everyone will like them. They just may be impressed at different points in the trick. |
curtgunz Special user Only 99% of users have more than 784 Posts |
Quote:
As you have seen, 3 yr olds like the whole thing-it's all magic to them Quote:
Yup...everything is magic to 'em. As long as the lil' guys are having fun don't worry about it Quote:
Guess you all are right. Life itself is magic to this age group! ;)I want to be a three year old when I grow up.
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