On a High School Show

I just performed at a high school prom night. It was an "alternative" to the kids going out and drinking. They rented out the top floor of a swanky hotel and themed it "Aladdan's night." When I arrived the DJ was pumping out loud tunes and everyone was on the dance floor. I set up behind the dance area (in the dark) and cut my fingers on one of the knives I use for a card stab. So far...so good!! Then I realized I couldn't do the routine because of the angles. Oh well.

I usually start with fire eating, linking rings, and a mouth coil bit from Jeff McBride. The music is flashy and the kids liked it. About 30 minutes into the 40 minute show I recognized they were getting tired. Magic takes concentration and moreover participation. They really wanted at this point to do something else. So I immediately went into my bill in the can routine which is very funny. Here's some pointers on doing this kind of show.

1. Keep it visual.
Most of the kids will be skeptical since they're wondering if you are going to do hippity hop rabbits kind of magic.

2. Keep it participatory.
Standing up doing sidewalk shuffle probably won't cut it. They have to be involved or they are going to go out to the lobby.

3. Keep it short.
A 30 minute show is fine.

4. Keep it simple.
I really love Steve Beam's Multiple Impact routine. But having the kids wait till you find all 7 or 8 cards is going to deep-six your show. I have a card routine based on a Russian Fairy tale of the Red Bird, but the audience is not going to sit through a story. The routines can't be very complicated at all.

5. Keep it funny.
Teenagers are keenly aware of being made fun of- especially in front of their peers. Effects where YOU as the magician screw up are classically funny to a teen. Paul Potassy's pickpocket routine is likely ideal for this. Further, if you are going to do a card effect they know you're going to find it eventually. So the process has to be entertaining. They don't care much for how difficult it is really going to be. The card on the pole routine was ideal for this. It is a commercial item by Wayne Rogers and George Schindler. You force the 10 of hearts, and let the kid shuffle to his hearts content. Finally when you pull out the pole with his/her card you'll get big laughs.

Last thots: Don't be afraid to do some mentalism. I have a routine based on Danny Korem's Stulless watch routine (See also Michael Weber's Swatch this). Since a prom is essentially a date opportunity, you can involve the couple with this and it will get big results.