Help a poor, pathetic beginner?

[Greedybogle]

I'm creating a cohesive juggling show for the first time. I've done roaming entertainment before, and childrens' birthday parties, but now I'm writing a complete street show to be performed in a theme park.

Everything's there - I have a character (a bright blue-and-yellow diamond-patterned jester suit and some kind of English accent put Silverbells (Jester of many laughs...or something) out there for all to see and love...or something), and all my props and bits and good stuff like that there.

Now, the big problem - when I juggle, nobody cares. I'm throwing clubs behind my back, doing columns and stalls, working in some chops...nothing that would impress a juggler, but hopefully enough to impress Joe Bloggs at Six Flags. And they watch, and nobody cares. Nobody's impressed, nobody claps...they don't walk off, for the most part, but they don't ooh and aah the way they're supposed to.

Also, my juggling routine is damn short, because it's just a segue from one trick to another, keeping the clubs and my mouth in constant motion, because I'm not sure what else to do.

SO - My question is: How am I supposed to present these tricks? I'm totally clueless. I expect answers like, "You have to decide what's right for your show," and every time I've heard that, it's turned out to be completely true, but I'm hoping for some direction. Do I stop juggling between tricks, and pause to introduce the next one? Do I hype a trick for any real length of time before I do it? Or, should the juggling be framed by some sort of story that moves it along while spacing the tricks out? Or do I just need to develop my skills further?

This is often a problem for me...when I bring out the diabolo, the same thing happens, although the novelty of the prop seems to grab people a little more. Any guidance/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Rick Martin]

I predict that you will get your shit together before long. It seems that you understand where the problems lie and I bet you will know the solutions when you see them. My best advice is to ask other peformers to watch you work and then critique your show. If you want ideas for character developement, how about looking to TV and the movies for models. Benny Hill, Tommy Smothers, Maxwell Smart, Foghorn Leghorn, Harry Anderson, Jack Benny, Shemp and Jerry Lewis have all contributed to my stage character.

[Steven Ragatz]

Whoh, dude! You don't ask for much, do you?

Well, you've come to the right place. This site is just chocked full of friendly folk who can - and will - help you out. I'll throw in some ideas to start it off...

Try different spots. Talk to your stage manager and make a plan to work in different areas in the park. The geographic orientation of the space will have a profound affect on your audience reaction. Noise, traffic flow, show times, rides and other attractions are all variables that change your show each time. You will have to study the flow of people through the park and figure out the prime spots and times for your show.

Decide what kind of show you are trying to do. Do you want to gather a large crowd for a big circle show, or do you want to do little intimate exchanges with small groups? You can do both, and may have to when adjusting to the crowd flow and schedule, but know which you are going for each time you go out.

Check out the lines for big rides. Captive audience's aren't always the most appreciative, but anything beats staring at the head in front of you when you are waiting an hour for a coaster.

Eye contact - make eye contact and talk to people, not at them. You can still perform the lines and routines within your character, but make an effort to connect with people. Show a general interest in their reality (the reality of them being in a theme park.)

Come up with some standard jokes and responses to the usual questions:"Where's the bathroom?", "What time is the next show?", "How do I get to XXX ride?" and my favorite, "Do you work here?" You will be revisiting these often, so find some one liners that amuse...

Try being bigger than big. You are going to be competing with hyper-reality, people with giant heads, rides that cheat death, and some of the all time worst fast-food-entertainment on the planet. But revel in the fun, because the guests are there to have fun, so much so that they will have a miserable time trying to have it. Help them find the fun in spite of their own efforts.

Check out:sr.com theme parks for a lovely picture of yours-truly working Busch Gardens twenty years younger...

Steven Ragatz

PS You will notice that I didn't mention anything about the juggling. If people are standing and watching, and they don't seem to be leaving while you are doing the actual juggling, then that stuff is working for you! You probably just need to bring it to them and tell them how they need to react.

[ 05-26-2003: Message edited by: Steven Ragatz ]</p>

[Stephon]

If I may add one quick thought--

Sometimes the audience needs to be cued as to when they are supposed to applaude. The cue could be something as simple as catching that final club, taking a step toward the audience and spreading your arms wide as if to say, "Hey, wasn't that cool?" Or you could come up with several simple lines in the vein of, "This is usually the part where people clap". Tailor to your character and the style of your show.

Good luck!

[Greedybogle]

Thanks a million. And Steve, those are some beautiful knives you've got there.

Notice how I craftily inserted a comment to keep the thread fresh and the inspiration flowing through cyberspaces straight to me? Crafty indeed.

This is not to cheapen the advice already given - it has been immensely helpful - buttoning a bit with an applause cue and playing with the location and format of my show are helping immensely, and my interest in really making a go of this has been rekindled. A thousand thanks.

[Juggalicious]

Hey Im trying to put together a show for six flags too - mine is almost done- but Im working on finding partners- is this clayton - if it is we must talk-...
Ive talked to them a little bit but most of the info Im getting about it is coming second hand from bob harvey - but anyways - Im pretty sure they are interested in hiring us - but they want to see the EXACT show before anything else-
Alex

[ 06-02-2003: Message edited by: Juggalicious ]</p>