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magic4ewe Regular user 179 Posts |
Hi everyone,
I'm looking for some advice. First off, our daughter (who is 13) was asked to do a birthday party for my husband's co-worker. His son will be turning 13. Now, to date, our daughter has only done stage shows for the public and also the same routine for smaller venues that are in open space areas, which represent a "stage-like" atmosphere. She has been asked several times to do birthday parties, but she just didn't have a show put together or the material to entertain young children. However, she has expressed interest in doing this show because the age group will be older and she can perform more adult-like magic. [In the meantime, she plans on developing a birthday party routine, which she hopes to have accomplished by this summer.] My husband's co-worker does know that she has not done a birthday party before, but he has seen her stage performance and is eager for her to do this, if she agrees. The party is not for another 4.5 months so she has plenty of time to prepare. Here is what she is questioning: 1. Since it will be a party comprised of mostly 13 +/- aged boys, she was thinking along the lines of doing close-up work. She was thinking cards, cup & balls and/or shells, a little mentalism, and rope work. Also, would it be inappropriate for her to use flash paper? 2. Dress attire. She just recently changed her stage outfit. It now comprises of black slacks, red satin blouse, and a pin-striped vest. However, she is thinking that since this will be a casual boys' party where she plans on doing close-up work, the boys might like it better if she "fit-in" more by wearing black jeans and a really cute beige graphic "magicians" t-shirt she has. Your thoughts? She is worried about what type of impression to make. She wants to impress the parents, yet put the guys at ease since she will in all likely hood be the only girl. Is there anything else we should consider? As some of you know, Dan and I are not professional magicians, but people who love magic and hope to someday be able to perform for children. In the meantime, we want to do our best to assist our daughter in any way we can as she has discovered her own love of magic and desire to perform, and has a talent for it. Thanks for any assistance you might provide us! |
Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
I suggest you have her dress up in her most professional looking outfit. I would perform some fast paced, hard hitting tricks, especially the first, and last trick. Have at least three, or four adults present, and tell her to have fun.
Al Angello
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
magic4ewe Regular user 179 Posts |
Thanks for the advice Al! You can be sure there will be adults present, as a VERY protective mom, there is no way I would allow her to go anywhere unchaperoned! My husband and I would be close at hand for the entire event.
Also, thanks for the advice on the attire. I'll have her go in her stage clothes. |
Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
I really can't recomend any tricks to you, because I think she should go with what she does best.
Al
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
Danny Hustle Inner circle Boston, MA USA 2393 Posts |
13 year old boys like adult magic. They 'get it'. If she has been working for adults she shouldn't have any problem whatsoever.
Everything you posted in your 1. statement is right on the mark. That stuff will go over great with kids that age. For that age group I think flash paper is okay as long as the parents know you will be doing it in their house. I do a lot of shows for this age group and the thing that seems to work for me is I treat them and talk to them like they are adults. I show them the same respect that I would show an adult at a corporate walk around event. I joke with them and act at ease. One thing about 13 year olds is they are likely to heckle if they think you are talking down to them, arrogant, or not confident in what you are doing. They do not like to feel fooled, they like to be entertained. It can be dangerous to whack them right between the eyes with too much strong magic right away. I give them a bang trick like card to pocket and then follow it up with something lighter like a gag. If it starts to go down the road of a challenge they will take no prisoners and spend the entire show throwing out every explanation known to man to avoid feeling stupid. I saw a very talented friend of mine get shredded not too long ago by doing too much strong stuff and not giving the kids an out. They were polite for the first couple of tricks and then it started, "Show me the other hand, let me shuffle, etc..." If you keep this stuff in mind, keep it light, and let the kids feel like they are part of the show, it is a really enjoyable age group to work for. This has been my experience, YMMV. Best, Dan- "MT is one of the reasons we started this board! I’m so sick of posts being deleted without any reason given, and by unknown people at that." - Steve Brooks Sep 7, 2001 8:38pm ©1999-2014 Daniel Denney all rights reserved. |
magic4ewe Regular user 179 Posts |
Today after school I went to the source. She is very private at school about her magic, however, one guy friend of hers is into magic and since he is 13 I thought I would ask him what he thought. He surprised me by saying he would want to see more production (stage type) magic than the close-up. So, I'm thinking perhaps maybe she should split it up a bit and do both? That would definitely be easier on her not to have to come up with a full party of close-up as she could incorporate a smaller portion of her stage routine.
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Jim Poor Special user Fairfax, VA 676 Posts |
Beware that he probably thinks more like a magician than a 13 yo layperson.
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Zazz Veteran user California 315 Posts |
Hi Jim,
This is actually Magic4ewe, hubby is on the Café right now, but I wanted to respond really quick so I didn't sign him out. The guy I asked is actually a layperson, he just likes magic and he doesn't study it, so our daughter doesn't hide the fact that she does magic from him. For some reason, the kids at her school think magic is really geeky, which is why she doesn't advertise at school that she does it. For her, it is something she loves and she doesn't want to deal with the negativity on something she considers such a positive thing in her life. There are only a few people at school that she will share this with. LOL..although, a few times people have made comments to her about it that have found out and her response, "Well, when you start making $200 /hr. then we'll talk!" |
mcharisse Inner circle York. PA 1226 Posts |
As someone with several nephews and a fair amount of experience performing for 13 year olds, I agree she should go with the stuff she currently does best - stage stuff is great - as well as add a bit of close-up magic. And I agree she should mix a lighter efects as well. A real strong effect early is needed to establish your magical chops, but they also want to feel like they are part of the show and not just there to match wits with the magician...
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Potty the Pirate Inner circle 4632 Posts |
As your daughter is still finding her feet, I'd suggest she takes along a mixture of her stage and her close-up material. Then find out what works best for her. When I used to perform for my peers at that age, I found them generally most appreciative. There were a few "loudmouths", but they could quickly be silenced by an astonishing trick!
What about a 15-30 minute "stage" show, then after a break, a selection of close-up magic? Or, as I've done for this age when I only have a small group, simply mix a few stage effects and close-up effects together for a wonderful hour's entertainment. Going from more showy effects to close-up works very well, and gives the impression that the performer has a wide range of skills. |
TheGiz Veteran user 335 Posts |
13 year old boys. Kinda like throwing her to the wolves. DO NOT PLAY DOWN to the boys. Any tricks that they feel beneath them will be her downfall. Mentalism, gambling effects, escapes, fire,would probably help her cause. Most 13 year olds are starting to become too cool for magic.
Good Luck |
Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
Yes I agree 13 year old boys are too cool for magic, which is why you must hit them fast, and hard with a knockout trick to get their attention. This young lady will learn what works real fast.
Al
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
SeaDawg Special user The Lunatic Fringe 718 Posts |
Very good points Al.
13 year old boys are a tough audience but if you can get them with a solid WTF? opening you can hold em.... Card tricks( Poker related?) etc.... No sponge bunnies... As for attire... Professional,,,, And the Shells game might be fun if she does it...
Crazy people take the psycho-path thru the forest...
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Zazz Veteran user California 315 Posts |
Well, we have the shells and we are going to attend Bob Sheets lecture this Thurs. at California Magic Dinner Theater. I can't think of a better shell guy to be inspired by to work "them shells". She wants to learn The Shell Game. This would be a good opportunity to be able to work them into her act.
Thanks for all of the advice. We are truly taking all of it to heart. Dan |
magic4ewe Regular user 179 Posts |
Wow, I was really surprised. Our daughter decided to sit down with the Shells & DVD last night. After about 15 minutes she asked if I would watch her. I was absolutely amazed! I know how shells work, yet for the life of me, I could not see her "movements", and I am pretty critical. I can only imagine how good she will be in a few months! An hour and half later, she had half the patter memorized as she was doing the movements. Kinda scary, I wasn't planning on raising a con artist! LOL
As for attire, she just asked if she could get a new performance outfit. This time she wants a tux! She thinks it would go well with the theming of what she has in mind. Thanks guys for all your help. She is really jazzed up about this. Now she wants to brush up on a cup/ball routine of Daryl's and she is thinking of using one of Whit Hayden's ring routines. Thanks again for the input. If anyone has any additional suggestions, please don't hesitate to post them! |
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