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rtgreen Inner circle Portland, Oregon 1322 Posts |
Hi everyone,
What would be considered good venues to book to work out a completely new show? I've added new material to existing shows in the past, but now I want to take some new ideas to a high quality level (Check out http://www.smallmiraclesentertainment.com/shows.html to see what I am working on), but I don't feel that some of this material is up to a high standard right now. I've been doing donated retirement home shows in return for feedback, but I would like to work with more varied audiences now. Thanks, Richard |
drwilson Inner circle Bar Harbor, ME 2191 Posts |
In my area:
Local Community Radio. Most of the staff are volunteers. They do an annual fair to raise money. The people doing the shows every week are doing it for free. So you can, too. They will trade out all kinds of stuff - interviews, ads, promotion on their station, anything but cash. See if you have something like this in your area. Libraries. The small-town libraries here have a budget to hire one or two entertainers per year. Do it for free during Turn Off TV Week or something. If they like you, they might hire you later. You get a good mixed audience. Local non-profits struggling to maintain small community halls. These folks will split the gate 50-50 with you and consider themselves lucky. You might not make your regular fee in a small hall, but the non-profit that runs the venue will love you, and you will make something. If you have been doing retirement homes, hospitals aren't that much of a change. Read your local paper, thinking about what kinds of small events might be able to use your show. Street fairs, potluck dinners, that sort of thing. My apologies if you were aiming higher. Try doing some banquets for fraternal organizations. The Kiwanis, the Lions, the Rotary, etc. are always looking for "speakers." You can do a show, or parts of a show, at these. Let us know how it goes. Yours, Paul |
The Village Idiots Elite user Orlando 464 Posts |
The best, in my opinion, is the street or a theme park. Crank out show after show each and every day and you can turn a piece of coal into a diamond.
Some are born idiots.
Some are made idiots. Some have idiocy thrust upon them. |
rtgreen Inner circle Portland, Oregon 1322 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-04-18 19:16, drwilson wrote: Thanks guys. This is exactly what I'm looking for. To be honest, I am aiming for something higher - eventually, but what I need now is lots and lots of shooting practice. I'm just having trouble being creative with people who would like to have a magic show that I can help without just offering discount shows to the people I'm wanting to work with as full paying clients in the future. Thanks, Richard |
The Village Idiots Elite user Orlando 464 Posts |
The local Childrens Hospital. Meant to say that earlier.
Some are born idiots.
Some are made idiots. Some have idiocy thrust upon them. |
George Ledo Magic Café Columnist SF Bay Area 3042 Posts |
Right on the button so far. Just remember one little detail -- non-profits in this country aren't always "dirt-poor." The budgets and salaries for some of the higher-up non-profit orgs are right up there with the private-sector companies. But non-profits have to claim poverty: that's part of their charter.
There are lots of orgs out there that really need help and really appreciate a hand: find them and use them as a stepping-stone to future paying gigs. You can make lots of connections here, and the networking possibilities are priceless. It's a win-win.
That's our departed buddy Burt, aka The Great Burtini, doing his famous Cups and Mice routine
www.georgefledo.net Latest column: "Sorry about the photos in my posts here" |
MattWayne Special user Manhattan, NY | Studio City, CA 624 Posts |
A few years ago I dedicated about two months to doing charity work. I did it as kind of a 'tour'- around my hometown. It's before I got a decent touring show, but I used these shows as a playground for my touring USO show that I have today. Those two months really payed off. The charities I worked with are ones like the American Red Cross, American Cancer Society, American Lung Assosciation, HIV/AIDS Organizations, Hershey Medical Group, Broadway Equity Fights Aids. I chose a bunch of organizations that I thought would benefit from these shows. And they did. The highest income from ticket sales was from the American Red Cross- $350 bucks on the dot. Not bad for a donation in my opinion. Equity Fights Aids came in second with $337 dollars for their organization.
It wasn't that hard to get the shows started and organized either. Just called them- gave them my references and told them that I was just looking to help their organization raise money in a fun new way. Freebie shows are iffie. I haven't done one in a good while. But would I again? Sure. I get a lot of self accomplishment out of it. Got to polish my show that I have today. So- I recommend this route to you as well. Something for you to possibly try. Hope all works out! Take care, best regards, Matt Tomasko
Matt Wayne
The Celebrity Magicianâ„¢ www.CelebrityMagician.com / youtube.com/celebritymagician / twitter.com/RealMattWayne / Facebook.com/CelebrityMagician Creator of, 'Got a Light?' and others. Spokesperson behind, TouchTricks |
icentertainment Inner circle 1429 Posts |
Also you may want to sell your normal show and sell the show your working on for a little lower- you're still getting YOU, it's just another show with untested material.
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