An act?

[Schuyler]

So I'm a juggler. I would like to start putting together an act to practice with and improve upon, but I got a little problem. Namely I have no idea what a juggling act looks like. There aren't any performers out here, despite the flocks of tourists in the summer. So for any jugglers out there, what does a juggling routine look like? I can't imagine just standing there cycling through the tricks I know would impress many people.

[Lee Nelson]

just an idea

how bout you go to

https://www.youtube.com

type in juggling / juggling act / juggling performance clubs whatever

and look at a juggling act.

Good luck with that
lee

[Evan Young]

http://www.performers.net/library/index.html

I think you should read through this stuff, take what you can from it, and go out with that.

Usually, the stronger juggling shows are more stunt shows than juggling shows, and I don't think that's a bad thing.

[thatjugglingfool]

Make them love you...or hate you...or both.

It’s not so much what you perform but how you perform it. A friend of mine (Marcus Wilson, funny man who does tricks) is fond of saying “just make it entertaining.” It doesn’t matter how much skill you have if you don’t have pizzazz. Make it funny, especially in the dead time between tricks. Create suspense. Something mildly disgusting that won’t make them vomit but will make them cringe, or add some death deifying tricks (perceived danger is just as good as real danger) to hold the audiences attention and get their hearts pounding. Then make it funny again to release the tension. Whatever you do, do it well.

[Dan The One Man Band]

Watch and learn

Sylvan Lake...
Next July, take a ride to Edmonton in July for the Street Performers festival. You can watch 10 days of juggling as well as a wide variety of other shows. Pretty much everything you need to know about busking is on your doorstep...
If you miss that, go to Red Deer in August for Centrefest, a smaller version of what Edm street fest is.

[Schuyler]

Thanks for the advice, although I hate to admit that I've already tried most of it. I'm looking forward to the street performers festival in Edmonton, and the smaller one in Red Deer.

Sorry for the silly question, I have done the Youtube! and the library bits already. I'd just been up too late when I created the thread, worrying about something interesting. I think however, as I juggle more and more in public, that I'm getting a better idea of what sells and what doesn't. Thanks!

[Evan Young]

Originally posted by Schuyler
I think however, as I juggle more and more in public, that I'm getting a better idea of what sells and what doesn't. Thanks!

Good for you, that really is the real key to success right there.

seeing lots of acts at a big festival will be cool too, but I think it might be inspiring to watch some performers work a regular pitch as well, especially on slow days when they have to work real hard to build a crowd. And you might give that spot a go yourself.