How'd you get started???

[Triona]

I've only been aware of street performing for about the past four or five years (I grew up in suburbia). My roommate, Pokie-Poke, has been street performing since he was 15 (he grew up in Manhattan), and because of him I've gotten to see this facsinating world.

Now here's the question. How did you get started? Were your first experiences successes or failures? If they were failures, why did you stick with it?

I'm rather envious of a number of you. I just can't seem to get up the nerve to really do more than set up Pokie's props for his show. I think it has something to do with being a female and not exactly what the average person would consider attractive (I'm overweight).

I'm curious to find out how you guys have dealt with your successes and, more importantly, your failures.

Thanks

[em]

Triona...
you definately don't need to be "attractive" to be on the street! Have a look at anyone of us out there!!! And I for one, have never considered anyone "overweight" as unattractive! ....
I started, i spose, because it seemed like the only creative option in a performing world that can be very inaccessable to many audiences....I had always performed, got bullied at school and used after school drama groups to be with fellow weirdies and drop outs...and then worked with a circus, got bored with tent up and pull downs and decided to work on the street....That and the fact that my folks were working in a circus when i was really little and then busked their way round britain doing kids shows with me, my sister, a goat and a hampster all living in a truck. So i spose it was in me bones, i was never any good at being in one place for too long...
AAA better stop before all the sentimental stuff comes out!
And the other thing is, refering back to your post, i am female too (well, usually) and admittedley there is a rather large imbalance in the street world between males and females, there is a bit of a gap in the market!
when you next set up the props, especially if you have a little crowd gathering, just take a little longer to do it, just a little, maybe give someone a wink, or a piece of sweetwrapper from the floor, and saunter off with a tiny jig...go on try it...
Failure, is what makes things work.It inspires comedy. It teaches. Its vital especially for progression. The first show is always, umm pretty dodgy...and i think it ought to be so that you learn....
If you would like to try it...go on, give it a go! have a laugh!
Love em x

[worldwidese]

From what I have observed it seems that if you are a raving beauty (male or female) that does make it easier.

But a really ugly person has an advantage too. It's the ones in the middle who have to work the hardest.

In the end it's your personality, your costume and your ability to entertain people that really count. Then even if you only do a few tired old tricks, they will still connect with you.

Em is right. If you are already on the street with a partner, then you have the perfect opportunity to get started. Work up a few bits at home, and try them out.They won't shoot you!

Pretend you're a kid again, showing off for your family or classmates. Try not to copy someone else. "To thine own self be true." Remember what works and build on it. Good luck!

[Mr.Taxi Trix]

Hey there, ya newbie.


I agree with what's up so far, and its a good thread. My story took place in Boston, under the friendship and generous teachings of Mark Farneth, I learned street performing in the mid 80's, and it is a fantastic experiment in living still.

So... buy me a coffee and you'll get the whole summery sweet tale of youth, friendship, and access to wonder, but for now, you need to get your meter running.


Em knows that the laying out of props is integral to beginning a street show. A rope on the ground indicating your "stage" is also instructive. You perform these tasks as if it makes a serious difference where everything goes. Don't dismiss it. (Read Pat campbell's "Pass the Hat", as she says, this is sometimes performed with all the intricacy of a japanese tea ceremony.) Your level of respect for the props can be an invitation to people. You can communicate in your observing the placement and making small changes that there are things you know which they do not, that you prefer the set a certain way, and - oh hell it just works. (And you can trade it all for the mystery of the unopened box later, but it works for a primer.)

I'm guessing you have skills. Use volunteers, you know that, right?

Take the case that people want you to go over well with them. Its a premise you do well to engage. (Can you "engage" a premise? I think I'm married to this one.)
Be Available to feedback from the crowd. Reacting to what is happening during the show is lots of the show. We all trott out our bits, but the good ones listen. Listen: there is a private wordlesss conversation between you and them, and it is formed of commentary on the fact that you are in front of them now. An eyebrow lifted at an intruding toddler beats three of a toss every day. If you communicate to them that you are being impacted by them, they are glued.
Speak loudly, and say things that would make you stop in the street and watch someone. If you are not "Hawking" for Poke, start with that. Everything works. Questions and commands work. Get sidetracked into them. ("Hey get over here, I'm gonna stand on my head andHEY that tie with that jacket REALLY? Does your wife know you're wearing that?")

Enough outta me. Do it 3-5 times before you decide if you like it. Watch your ego, it aint easy at first. My first show I made 25 cents. Invent that your body is the perfect expression of sensuality and balance on the planet. Cultivate gratitude.
Be all of the space, encompass the show. Never never apologize unless you hurt someone or you do it as a bit. Make believe the show is an event where you get to be three times the person you know yourself to be.

Keep asking for ideas, people like to seeeeeeeeem wise. Ask your crowd for feedback: really.
Love them. They'll get it.

[worldwidese]

Forgot to add this pearl of wisdom.... If you make a booboo, don't let the audience see that it's a booboo. Just smile a lot and carry on as though it was meant to happen.

Sometimes a booboo can turn into a happy accident, and become one of your best bits.

[em]

the best bits of someone are often their booboos.....

[LUCKY DIAMOND RICH]

RBP,


LDR

[ 01-28-2002: Message edited by: Lucky Diamond Rich ]</p>

[le pire]

Rich gives very good advice... One thing to remember is when you see a good street act, chances are they've been at it for YEARS. Nobody became a pro in a week.

A note on stealing material... Don't steal from people you will perform with on a regular basis, especially not the guy who's going to street perform right after you! I went to a renaissance faire and every juggler/variety act told the same jokes.

It's best to steal from people who are dead, foreign or named Johnny Fox.

above all, HAVE FUN. Why else would you wear a flashy outfit, hang out on street corners and try to attract people unless you were looking for a good time?


é t i e n n e

[LUCKY DIAMOND RICH]

RBP,


LDR

[ 01-28-2002: Message edited by: Lucky Diamond Rich ]</p>

[Triona]

Thanks all,

LDR, I can't do much right now, I live just outside of Philadelphia and there's about 4 inches of snow on the ground. Not the most ideal performing weather. I figure I'll give it a try in a few months once we thaw out bit.

I'll let you how I make out then!

[jonnyflash]

Triona, the first time I went out to do a streetshow, I didn't have the confidence or the savvy to keep my audience, who would stop for the 30 seconds or so then keep right on walking.I went out and did this a few times that summer week, and managed to get very depressed for like a week because of the effort I'd put out for nothing.I expected everything about my show to go just as well as the show-a-day folks who were taking the big hats that summer.This experience led me to go after inside gigs where i could be sure that my audience knew they were an audience, and I was guaranteed to get paid. Any stage-fright i had starting out is now long gone now, but I still quake and quiver in my boots at the thought of not being able to gather a crowd for a streetshow, which seems absurd because my show is very well developed and I've performed for thousands of people. It's a fear of failure. I am going to battle this psychological handicap by doing 2 street shows on the next sunny day here in Vancouver in February. I'll let you know how they go.I'm gonna pound away at this till I can get and keep a 300 person crowd on the street.

[Neil Brown]

My first street show is this Saturday! I've practised for ages, listened to the advice given about jokes, and am REALLY looking forward to doing it. I just hope that I can persuade anyone to stop and watch me- I thought for ages as to how I could stop people in the first place. Being a city full of students, most aren't likely to stop without a VERY good reason, or free drink- there are far too many people with clipboards trying to get you to sign up to something, IMHO. I'm hoping that once I have attracted one or two people, the rest will follow on from there...
I read Dave Finnegan in "Complete Juggler" suggested ringning a handbell to try an attract attention- for some reason, that just didn't ap-peal to me, if you'll excuse the pun. But i've found a doorbell for £1, so I am going to experiment with that. At the moment I am quite confident, and I hope that this will last- i LOVE performing with my juggling in front of people, but for some reason this whole street-performing seems completely different. But, if I don't give it a try, then I'll never know for myself... Good luck!
Neil

[Steven Ragatz]

If you are nervous about doing street shows, just remember a few things...

First, you don't have to go out and try to do an entire show. Maybe you would feel comfortable working on a couple of bits, or even one single routine at a time. You can get together with someone else and piggy-back on their show. If there is someone else in your area that is in the same situation, you can tag-team shows until you feel more comfortable with your material. Don't feel like you have to have an entire "show" before you try anything.

Additionally, don't forget that if things are not going well, you can always just stop. You don't have to be stubborn and do exactly what you had planned. If the situation warrants it, throw out the plan on the fly and go with something off the cuff. If it totally falls apart, just say thank-you, take a bow, and wait for the crowd to leave.

You also are not obligated to accept tips. I had shows that I was so unhappy with that I didn't even bother to pass the hat. Even if you work the streets, pride is a commodity that doesn't have to be left behind.

Large crowds are great, but don't give up on the small ones as well. If you are only able to snag a half-dozen spectators, then take that opportunity to play to them in-the-small. It is a skill that is no less valuable than the skill of playing to the masses.

Remember, if you can keep in your mind that the reason you wish to perform is for the show, then whether or not the audience is in the mood shouldn't affect you much. Do your thing the way you think it should be done and let them decide. Of course, you will have to watch, listen, and react, but your first obligation is to your craft. If you can keep a constructive, even philosophical, mentality about the work, then the time that you spend "paying your dues" will be more enjoyable, and hopefully, more profitable.

Steven Ragatz

[jonnyflash]

The sunny day came, and I did one show.
Spent about 10 minutes gathering my crowd, including physically bringing them to the circle while saying things like [img]biggrin.gif[/img] on't make me touch you, or My show is very good, I've seen it! or You came all the way down here to see my show! That is fabulous and it's going to be a great 1!,or just pick up some of their belongings and "bait" them to the circle and/or put the stuff in your case.People seem to enjoy this and the crowd found it very funny.It's EXTREMELY important to smile as you do these things, it puts your victim at ease and makes them trust you. There are some excellent articles in the librairy as well. [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[ 02-22-2002: Message edited by: Jim ]</p>

[jonnyflash]

The performers.net librairy, that is. <img src="graemlins/square.gif" border="0" alt="[square smile]" />