kids shows...

[le pire]

I've been doing a lot of school shows lately and although I've received great responses I always wonder if there is one or two people in the audience who don't like or are even offended by the show... I use knives in my act so this to me is already a point of contention. I also make a few religious / cultural jokes that are obviously WAY over the kids heads but do get a good laugh from the adults. Nothing is said to be offensive or too politically charged, but still I wonder.

There is also the part of me that realizes I shouldn't expect to please everybody all the time. That does not prevent me from wanting to please everyone, however.

any thoughts?

étienne

[Steven Ragatz]

It's your show, so if there are parts that make you feel uneasy, for whatever reason, you can just take them out. If part of your message is to challenge the accepted norm, and force the audience to consider subjects that they might feel uncomfortable with, then do it intentionally, but if there is some questionable material that undermines something else that you are trying to do, then maybe it doesn't belong in your set.

Perform the show that you want to perform, not the show that you think the audience wants to see, and if you're lucky, they will be the same!

Steven Ragatz

[Spike McGuire]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Steven Ragatz:
Perform the show that you want to perform, not the show that you think the audience wants to see, and if you're lucky, they will be the same!
[QUOTE]

I agree on doing things just to do them for yourself, but it is also important to base a lot off of audience reaction. The more an audience likes your show, the more potential bookings you can get out of it. Keep this in mind, If the audience don't like the show, pretty soon the show don't have an audience.
At least thats what I think.
-----Spike

[le pire]

Although the show is my show I don't just do it for my own pleasure. I recall an acting class in New York City about 12 years ago where the teacher described a classmates performance as "masturbating on stage."


[quote]Originally posted by Steven Ragatz:
<strong>...force the audience to consider subjects that they might feel uncomfortable with. </strong><hr></blockquote>

I can picture it now:

"uh yeah, I'm a birthday clown and I do this routine with naked ken dolls that's really funny and teaches kids why we should legalize same-sex marriages."

Um... No, Steve, I don't do that kind of show.

étienne

[ 12-12-2003: Message edited by: le pire ]</p>

[Steven Ragatz]

Yeah, OK, if you are just going to exaggerate my point of view to the point of absurdity, then yes, masturbation on stage is not going to be appropriate for a children's show outside of Neverland.

A more rational perspective might understand that my comments were intended to be taken in the context of your show. If you don't want to "throw the diablo higher!", then don't, even though that's what the kids will say they want. "Can you do it with knives?" "Light them on fire!" Just because they think it's a good idea doesn't make it quality entertainment.

Frankly, I have my own ideas of what makes a good show, and although I respect the audience's opinions, I feel strongly that I should say what I want to and not simply reply some preconceived idea out for their entertainment. (There are plenty of acts out there that already do that.) Chock it up to vanity, but I think that my experience makes me a better writer than that of the audience.

If you don't feel comfortable with something in your act, whether that just be a joke, a routine or an entire character, there is probably a reason why. Identify that reason, and you will answer your own question as to whether you should include it in the first place.

Steven Ragatz

[Jim]

"I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody."

Bill Cosby