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Anyone ever had any luck busking outside of a mega-multi screen cinema? There seems to be a continuous stream of movie goers on weekend nights. I don’t think a circle show would work but what about walk around or living statue types of performing?
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When I first started busking I'd do it outside the Warren Theaters in Wichita KS on public property. Eventually after the theater people got to know me and my show and that I was good and people loved me they'd let me play on theater property. They even offered me a deal to perform inside the theater before movies but I turned it down because the money was to shabby. Anyway, depending on the pitch any kind of show can work. Circle shows, statues, whatever.
Again, this all depends on where you're at and the type of show you do, but I tended to get quite a few more 20's outside the theater's. Not quite sure why but I like to think quite a few of the people enjoyed my show more than the movie they saw (plus people who are already dropping 20-30-40-or50 bucks depending on how big their family is or how much they want to impress their girlfriend have more $$$'s to drop in my case.)
If you could let us know which theater you are thinking of working and what the pitch is like (size, location, noise, etc.) we could let you know better what might or might not work so well.
Oh yeah, and I should add The Old Town Warren in Wichita KS is an awful pitch and probably much like the one you are talking about. It was only workable on the weekend nights 7-10 but I'd make 180-210 bucks a night doing a one man band show. These were my very first performances before I really knew anything about busking. Just wait till a movie lets out start setting up the show and then you'll get a big crowd of people and make a good hat but you also need to work the in between times, entertaining just a few people when you can here and there, if you can stick it out for 3-4 hours a night depending on the show and the pitch you'll make a decent living.
I personally liked the flow of it. I'd entertain a crowd of 3-10 just doing what ever came to mind a real short show(this really helped me come up with a lot of material because you can just fuck off, run your mouth, and do whatever you want have fun with it- there's not much money to be lost ) and then let them be on thier way. Then when there was the rush I'd do my real show. It was a great great rhythm. Now that I'm thinkin about it I'd really like to get back into doing things that way.
Best of luck juggler. -
I have had gigs at movie theaters but they were special promotions paid for by the theater owners or private groups. Since theaters are usually private property, you might get shooed away.
I read that during the 40's and 50's movie house owners would hire balloon twisters and other variety acts to perform between the double-features.Comment
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