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asgar Elite user 409 Posts |
What is a Library magic show?
Do you do anything different there? What should I look for? Thanks
Magic is believing in yourself, if you can do that, you can make anything happen.
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Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
In a nutshell:
1) Libraries often sponsor magic shows for children and/or families 2) These are often part of their summer reading programs, usually weekly activities through the several weeks when kids are out pf school. 3) Summer reading programs are often coordinated on a regional, statewide, or national level, i.e., several libraries running the same "theme" throughout the duration of the program. 4) Because not all library's schedules are identical due to local budgets, program talent availability, etc., It is possible to book several in your range (different months, weeks, day of the week, and time of day). 5) Libraries do communicate, and the better acts are often recommended. 6) There are often statewide, or regional consortiums where the librarians meet to discuss such programs and for talent to showcase their programs or display for such purpose. Available slots for talent are often at a premium, generally first come, first served, but sometimes known and experienced talent find favor. These are usually held within the first three months of the year, if not sooner. Securing a spot at one is usually done a few months earlier. 7) Budgets vary from one library to another. This can limit your range of travel, unless you are fortunate enough to book several libraries in a given area, within a given time period. This can reduce your travel expenses, which allows you to pass along the savings to stay within their budgets (if you want to). 8) Many acts will "theme" their programs to match the libraries' theme for that year. This is not necessary if you have a strong entertaining act, but it never hurts to include some part of your act as being consistent with books/reading/libraries in general. 9) Some libraries will have programs at other times of the year. Spring break is one such. I have also booked libraries for completely random reasons, such as "Family Night", etc. Sometimes, libraries will cater to area day care centers, who bring their kids to the library as sort of a field trip. During the regular school year, this will often mean you are working for kids age 5 and under. Know the audience and prepare the appropriate show. 10) Based upon my own experience, most library shows are 45-60 minutes, but there are exceptions. 11) I have also been asked to offer other programs besides just doing a show. Teaching "camps" are one of these. 12) Although very uncommon, I have had libraries hold programs outdoors. 13) Be very specific when booking a library and be sure to ask questions. Know what to expect (age range, general venue questions (like electrical outlets, sound system, etc.), load-in, upstairs or down, number of kids anticipated, when and how you will be paid, and anything else you might want to know when booking any show.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
A. Traditional summer themed reading shows
B. holiday time such as Dr. Laugh looks at Christmas And the latest my collaborating with a drama therapist. Harmonica, magic and ventriloquism. As part of -- The next Let’s Get Creative: Performance in the Stacks program will be held at the Lackman Neighborhood Library, 15345 W. 87th St., Lenexa, on Thursday, Oct. 23, beginning at 3:30pm. This free all-ages program will consist of three parts: • Billie Mahoney’s tap dancers will give a rousing tap dance performance • Wes King, Kansas City actor, will present an original dramatic reading about creative caregiving • Nostalgic songs performed by the Four Spare Parts quartet • Magician & Puppeteer Harris Deutsch • Dave Sheldon and the KCST Singers & Storytellers will present an interactive musical performance with guitar, accordion, harmonica and keyboard • Deb Campbell, founder and director of the Kansas City Senior Theatre, will introduce interactive theatre games and activities for all ages and present “The ABCs of Improvisation” • Keeler Women’s Center Theatre Troupe will sing a unique rendition of the song “Respect”
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
Mary Mowder Inner circle Sacramento / Elk Grove, CA 3659 Posts |
They will often tell you the programs are for reading age Kids but be prepared for quite a few Toddlers as well.
A good Family Show works well. -Mary Mowder |
charliecheckers Inner circle 1969 Posts |
Some performers theme their show (especially for the Summer Reading Programs) or at least insert an educational component while others just offer their standard show. You can block book these shows, which is a real advantage to getting in with the libraries.
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asgar Elite user 409 Posts |
I do not think any other entertainer does these in my city.Truth is - not much happens there for the kids.So I have to sell the idea.I want it to be related with the books .Anybody here does the story reading for kids?How do I incorporate magic and vent with it.Should I consult with musicians and drama directors?Thanks everyone for the help.I am still trying to grasp the whole idea.
Magic is believing in yourself, if you can do that, you can make anything happen.
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themagiciansapprentice Inner circle Essex, UK 1381 Posts |
Look at this site for some of the best library shows http://www.jimkleefeld.com/library.html thisvis where I get lots of inspiration, then look to see how my existing shows/routines can be adapted.
Most magicians do a high quality magic show, refering to books the library stock. Eg if you do a clown trick, refer to a popular clown story throughout it. Most would reference books every other trick. I tend to use four library books. This Summer, most states had a theme of "Fizz, boom" so magicians tried out different science themed tricks. BarryMitchell's facebook page was especially useful as lots of ideas were shared for routines, props and books. Wonder Imagery made 18" and 36" special silks for this and most recent years. Some magicians have been doing this type of show for a long time. David Ginn sells dvds of some of his most popular. Often he ends his show with a display of library books on the particular theme. Then the children collect them from the librarian to take home.
Have wand will travel! Performing children's magic in the UK for Winter 2014 and Spring 2015.
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charliecheckers Inner circle 1969 Posts |
Generally speaking, the main thing you can bring to the show is an audience. Everything else is icing on the cake.
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lotcaster Regular user Texas 151 Posts |
You are getting a lot of great advice here.
As a librarian, I have booked kids shows (including magic acts) for more than a decade. Michael's post in particular is dead-on. Mary brought up a very good point. When it comes to library shows, you will generally have NO control over what age group attends it. If it's designed for elementary school kids, toddlers will be there, too. If it's designed for toddlers, some elementary school kids will be there. Since it is usually a parent that brings the kids, they tend to bring them all, particularly when it comes to shows that are free (for them). You WILL deal with crying babies, young children walking up to you in the middle of the show, and kids playing video games. You need to figure out several ways of gently pulling the attention back to you, getting the kids to sit down, etc. Children's librarians and elementary school teachers usually know a lot of these, so it's a good idea to ask for hints ahead of time. A good librarian will help you manage the crowd, but there are some bad apples out there (and some clueless newbies) who won't pull their part of the weight. It's not unfair of them for you to come in understanding crowd control, but they should be willing to use their familiarity and (in school libraries) authority to help you out. As has already been pointed out, you need to spend some time talking with the librarians to make sure that everyone's expectations are met. Though most children's librarians are performers, too, many of them only perform in their own library. As a result, they may forget to ask about your electrical, sound, and other needs. Always go over those with them and walk through the space where you will be performing. Make sure you have adequate outlets, agree on where you will be performing and where the audience will sit, etc. The devil is in the details. If they are amenable, I would suggest that you have them put down a tape line (blue painter's tape works well) to delineate the border between the audience and performing areas. It's relatively easy to tell kids that they can't cross the blue line. Keep in mind that performing in schools - even in school libraries - is completely different than performing in public libraries. When kids are in school, they know they will get in trouble for bad behavior, and they have had Pavlovian behavior responses drilled into them. They don't respond the same way in public libraries. That's often not a bad thing, though - kids that show up to library shows are often there because they WANT to be there, not because the school is forcing them to attend. Michael's #6 is worth repeating: "There are often statewide, or regional consortiums where the librarians meet to discuss such programs and for talent to showcase their programs or display for such purpose." Most children's librarians will be able to tell you if there is a "performer's showcase" event of some kind in your state. If there is, go to it. We used to have a great one in Dallas/Fort Worth. For five years I often hired ALL of my children's performers for the summer on that one day, as did most other librarians in the area. If you can get a couple of gigs at the libraries in your area and do a great job, chances are that word will spread fast. Word of mouth among librarians is a very powerful thing, at least when it comes to who gets hired to perform. Librarians tend to really value performers who are good with kids (and their parents) and are able to keep control of an audience without trying to sound too authoritarian. Right now, in the Dallas/Fort Worth area the going rate for a 45 minute children's or family show in a public library is typically $200-300. Very few libraries can afford to spend more than that - in fact, many can't afford more than $200. The going rates will vary a lot from region to region, state to state. Libraries differ in this regard a lot, but at the two where I have worked we hired performers for summer reading (lots of them), one or two in November or December, and spring break (generally 3-5 of them). Most of the rest of the year we did all the performing. One benefit of performing in public libraries is that you can often pick up a lot of children's birthday party gigs as a result. If you want them, that is. Some people love doing birthday parties, but they come with a lot of additional challenges. |
harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
I know I have priced myself out of some markets.
Sometimes libraries hold kick off or end of the season, or a district wide program at say a Civic Center. These may or may not command higher fees. Some performers may see these like restaurant gigs and good for getting further gigs. Be safe, well and creative. Harris reader & righter
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
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