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Cabrera Special user Seattle 513 Posts |
Hey all,
I have been asked to perform a magic show for (pysically & sexually abused)kids ages 7 through 12. Boys and girls. I will perform my regular kids show PB & J, Coloring book, Ropes, Rings, etc. Is there any suggestions from a person that is experienced with this type of audience? Anything that I should be aware of from a performers piont of view? Also I perform a card stab with a large deck and a sword. Would this be too harsh or conjure up a bad image for some of the children? It goes over great with my usual show. I just want to be careful not to offend or cause flashbacks . I imagine that some of the kids are prety hardened and probably never even had a childhood. I really want to make this a fun magical experiece for all. Any insight or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks Charlie
"The quilt of life is woven with many different threads"
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Dave1216 Loyal user 286 Posts |
I would definitely avoid anything with a knife or sword.
I did a show much like this once. It was for a battered womans shelter. After the show, several of the kids came up to me and wanted to give me a hug. I thought this was weird at first. But then, the woman who ran the shelter pointed out that these kids have never had a positive male figure in their lives. So when they saw me, they wanted to bond. It was a little weird for me at first, but I just gave each child a hug and said, "believe in magic." That's all you can do. Dave
My new DVD ("The magic of David Corsaro") is now available from your favorite dealer. Watch the DVD that Daryl, Jon Allen, Shawn Farquhar, Boris Wild, Marc DeSouza, Asi Wind and Paul Green ALL ENDORSE.
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Frank Tougas Inner circle Minneapolis, MN 1712 Posts |
In my "other profession" as a psychologist I work with kids a lot of the time. Just use your own good sense - nothing with a violent theme. Otherwise, just do a good show. These kids really deserve a bit of childhood and magic is the best way I know to provide that. Feel free to PM me if you have a real question about a particular effect, but your regular show is probably fine without a lot of alterations.
Frank Tougas The Twin Cities Most "Kid Experienced" Children's Performer :"Creating Positive Memories...One Smile at a Time"
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magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Make sure that your show is also more POSTIVELY focused. By this I mean try to make any sucker effects geared and aimed at yourself instead of the child. Build a positive feeling in the kids by allowing the magic to happen BECAUSE they did it themselves. This will make them feel good about themselves and get them to connect with you better.
Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
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Neale Bacon Inner circle Burnaby BC Canada 1775 Posts |
I agree with whats been said so far...
Keep it positive, pull any sucker tricks on you as you don't want to add to a negative esteem, but when it comes to hugs..I would be careful. Make sure you are NEVER alone, and make sure you have permission from the child and the caregivers. Other than that, have fun and create some happy memories for them.
Neale Bacon and his Crazy Critters
Burnaby BC Canada's Favourite Family Ventriloquist www.baconandfriends.com |
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Rob Johnston Inner circle Utah 2060 Posts |
Make them Laugh.
"Genius is another word for magic, and the whole point of magic is that it is inexplicable." - Margot Fonteyn
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Emazdad Inner circle Plymouth UK 1954 Posts |
You may find that you have to be a bit gentler to start with to break down the invisable barrier, which could be quite thick, but if you make it fun, and treat them just like any other kid, you'll win them over no problem.
I had a lad once at a holiday camp who I'd seen in a wheelchair before the show, I got him up to help with the 2nd effect, He could walk so he came up without his chair. (If he couldn't walk he would have helped anyway, even if they'd had to lift his chair on thestage) he told me his name, shouted the magic word etc and was the perfect helper. After the show I was told his mum was looking for me. It turns out he'd been in an accident 3 months beforehand and broke both his legs. He he was so traumatised he hadn't spoken a word since the accident. His mum was in tears during the shoe when he spoke to me. I was on cloud 9 all the way home. He spoke to me because he was having so much fun, he forgot his problems. This is what you need to achieve with these kids. Make them forget.
Yours Funfully
Clive "Emazdad" Hemsley www.emazdad.com "Magic is a secret, without the secret there is no magic" Remember there are only 3 types of people in the world, those that can count and those that can't. |
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harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
Great suggestions above.
Thanks to all for sharing. I work with these kids, on both sides of my nearly normal hats. You are appreciated for sharing you and your magic with the families. Tomorrow I will share at a shelter for women and their kids. I appreciate your reminders to start slow, with no fast approaches and loud noises. Although I sometimes open my regular show with music and an appearing cane, sometimes for these type programs, I just start by saying "HI". As "they" say, you have to give it away to keep it. An hour ago, I finished some walk around for an aids awareness activity. You know, a D.J., free food, magic, puppets and oh yes free HIV/AIDS testing. The music was great for Pervis,The Nearly Normal Rock and Rolling Marionette to dance with. A few days ago, I shared at a camp with youth who also happen to live with Autism and Aspergers. One definition of Magicians/Counselors is: We are ordinary people, sometimes sharing with ordinary people, with extra-ordinary problems. Be safe and creative. Harris
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
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Cheshire Cat Special user Wilmslow, UK 941 Posts |
Did a show last Christmas just the same as Dave 1216. Exact same reaction. The only thing is I personally find that even after so many years I always feel physically and mentally drained after any type of 'special needs' event, and seeing I had already been to two schools before this function it was a pretty tiring day. I feel there are some entertainers amongst us (Harris?) who maybe have more of an aptitude for this type of event, than others.
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Cabrera Special user Seattle 513 Posts |
Thanks for the input. I'll post next Thursday to let you all know how the show went.
"The quilt of life is woven with many different threads"
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digimaestro New user 57 Posts |
I regularly visit an abused shelter for women and children to perform.
True... they do need positive male role models. You may encounter some boys with strong personalities... like the type who try to get into your bag and such. Keep in mind the boys at these places can feel run down as they have no male role model (previously mentioned) and their male identity can be constantly under assualt from women recovering from these domestic situations. Please try to be a patient as possible. Often these children desperately need attention. Sometimes they are used to getting it only in a negative fashion (more than other kids) Often these kids desperately crave one-on-one attention, so make a little bit of extra time for the kids who approach you after the show. When I was clowning, I found that facepainting gave me a chance to have a few moments with one on one when a few softspoken words could make a difference. digimaestro |
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Hill Inner circle 1164 Posts |
Its a tough show.
consult with the organisers and higlight each effect and the general storyline and they should hopefully be able to make a recommendations. |
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harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
Ace,
Although I have been doing these since the 70's,they still touch my heart and soul. Guess I am still human after all these years. In 1/2 hour, I get to share at a Women's Shelter. It was kind of funny the volunteer that called me didn't know where it was located.(they keep locations as secret as they can for obvious reasons) She didn't get back with me so I called the main number of the shelter. The person answering the phone told me they were expecting me. She laughed when I told her I was coming but needed to know where to go. Digimaestro , I appreciate your regular presentation at the shelters. I like the old expression, "You have to give it away, in order to keep it!" Be safe and creative. Harris Deutsch Laughologist
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
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Chrystal Inner circle Canada/France 1552 Posts |
That is pretty funny Harris regarding you hadn't been told the address. (not funny in terms of why, however)
I also do a lot of shows for disabled or abused children and the advice given concerning appearing friendly is bang on. You want them to develope a bit of rapport with you and a lot of these kids have real trust issues - so always keep that in mind. Making them laugh or smile is probably one of the best things you can do. Good luck with your show! |
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harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
Chrystal,
Yes trust is an important issue. Sadly it has been lost by such young people. As expected,(and rightfully so) it took a while for the young ones to warm up to me and my nearly normal friends. For awhile they watched from a distance. Nigel, Zelda and Pervis(Three of the nearly normal puppets, were a bit shy themselves. At first we just walked around playing the harmonica softly with familiar tunes. Be safe and creative. Harris
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
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Rupert Bair Inner circle ? 2179 Posts |
Emazdad, what a nice story! its amazing what magic can do. I don't have anything to say on this matter becuase I've never done them! but I wish you the best of luck!
Matt |
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magiciangirl902 New user Charlottesville, VA 74 Posts |
As said before: 1.Keep it positive 2.Pull all the sucker tricks on you 3. MAKE THEM LAUGH, no matter what position anyone's in it allways helps to laugh, it seems to lift a lot off your shoulders, and it makes you feel better.
Good luck with your show!
Most magicians do magic tricks, I do magic
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Bill Scarlett Veteran user Vermont 366 Posts |
I run a counseling program for at-risk kids in my other incarnation and I have done shows for them on occasion.
I agree with all who have said keep it positive and keep it fun...which your show should be already. Nothing with knives, guns, cigarettes, nothing of a bizarre nature. What I have learned is that children, whether they have been abused or not, enjoy fun, silly, light-hearted presentations. With that in mind, your show should be well received. Good luck. |
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Cabrera Special user Seattle 513 Posts |
Thanks again. I called up the counselor and gave a her a rundown of the the routines in my show. She seemed fine with it. FYI I replaced Card Stab with Cardiographic. Plus I am donating some free Magic Sets for a raffle. Thanks to all of you who responded. I willl post the results this Thursday
Cheers! Charlie Cabrera ************************************ The show was in a summer camp conference center in a small country town. This was a beautiful wooded area with log bunk houses, picnic tables, play area equipment and a lake. I set up my act on the rustic conference center stage 1/2 hour before the show. This was an indoor show in a huge teepee shaped building. At 3:00 pm 46 kids arrived and a Birthday Party was thrown for all of them ( most of these abused kids ages 7 to 12 had never even had a Birthday Party.) I performed some mingling magic and began the show soon after. There was one boy about 12 years old of course, who was difficult from the get go. Bad attitude, smart aleck mouth etc. I took him aside right before the show and did a copper silver routine in his hands. I knew that he would really be fooled. He was and kept asking me how I did it. I told him that it was sleight of hand and that he had a pretty good eye for magic anyways(based on his other previous comments.) I explained that since him and I knew how things were done, that we shouldn't spoil it for the rest. I also promised that he could help me with a trick, and I told him that I would be watching him to see that he was behaving wink, wink. Well this worked like a charm: during my show I called him up and performed a linking ring routine with him. Everyone cheered when he linked his two rings and aagain when he unlinked them. ( of course even he didn't know how he did it) The kids were a great bunch and one funny monent was when I had a girl about 10 years of age choose a card. She picked a card from a jumbo deck and I said show it to all your friends. She did and I did a gag where I said, what about me aren't I your friend? She said NO...because I don't know you! There was a moment of silence, because she was right! I laughed it off with the adults that were present and performed the rest of the Cardiographic routine. When I presented the card portrait to her, her jaw literrllaly dropped with an audible gsp! What a beautiful monent. After a few routines I then closed with a musical silk and liquid show with upbeat music; followed by a grand finale production of a Happy Birthday Silk. All and all , it was a good day... God Bless those children and all the good people who work with them. Cabrera
"The quilt of life is woven with many different threads"
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Frank Tougas Inner circle Minneapolis, MN 1712 Posts |
Great job you handled it well as I knew you would.
Frank
Frank Tougas The Twin Cities Most "Kid Experienced" Children's Performer :"Creating Positive Memories...One Smile at a Time"
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