New Performer/Group Here!

[paul_actor]

Hello everyone. I'm Paul. I am a fairly new sideshow performer from Chicago. I work on a bed of nails and on glass.

I have a large group and we are starting development and rehearsals to create a street circus here in Chicago. We're hoping to invoke a vaudville type atmosphere with our show. It will run all day with rotating acts. So there's always something new going on! We have jugglers, acrobats, a strong man, a sideshow (myself and another performer who does the blockhead), all which will be accompanied by music and a barker.

None of us have done anything like this before, and we are really excited/scared senseless. If you have any advice for us, let me know! We could use all the advice we can get!

[Peter Voice]

Use sunscreen.

[Chris Griffith]

Chicago Busking

Choose your pitch carefully, then take the time to get to know all the possible antagonists in the area: other buskers, vendors, owners, etc. Do everything you can to get them on your side.

15 years ago, I assumed all I needed was to get a permit like the guitar players I saw in Lincoln Park. Unfortunately, somebody didn't like the idea of me having a couple hundred people around me in a public space, and the police repeatedly came to break up my shows. I think if I had taken the time to follow the advice above, it would have been better.

Also, watch your audience carefully. You can see when you lose them-- they walk away. Notice at what points in your show they walk away or lose interest. Then try something different. Biggest mistake new buskers make: doing the same thing over and over even though it doesn't work. Don't be afraid to change & go with what works.

Good luck!