I enjoy doing what I’m doing!
I enjoy entertaining children and the children know it. (Unfortunately, many children’s entertainers don’t like performing for children.) When I perform, I don’t stand behind a table like many performers. Because I have eliminated the barrier between the children and me, I’m able to interact with them throughout the entire magic show.
I’ve been performing a long time!
I’ve entertained thousands of children at many hundreds of birthday parties.
In addition to performing at First Night Boston, I have also produced a two-day Children’s Festival at the Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, RI, replete with magicians, jugglers, mimes, clowns, and balloon twisters.
And, for 18 years, I worked with the Museum of Science in Boston performing magic shows and magic workshops.
I also perform at preschools and elementary schools as well as for scout troops and at private functions, such as 1st communion parties, 1st birthday parties, fundraisers, and holiday parties.
I’ve also spoken at the Early Childhood Educator’s Conference hosted by the Center for Parents and Teachers. Speaking to preschool directors and teachers, I demonstrated how magic and puppetry can be used as tools to educate and motivate young children.
Over the years, children of all ages have been captivated by my magic shows, which make them belly laugh, jump out of their seats with excitement, and raise their hands high up in the air to become my magical assistant.
Here are some words used by parents to describe the entertainment I provide: Wonderful, Phenomenal, Awesome, Perfect, Excellent, Above and Beyond, Spectacular.
The children are engaged from the beginning of the show to the end!
We all know that children can’t watch a show like an adult. They need to be constantly entertained, engaged and they want to be part of the show. Below are just a few of the techniques I use to keep all the children engaged and participating throughout the show:
> What’s your favorite food?
One technique is to ask children questions throughout the magic show: What is your favorite color? favorite game? favorite food? As soon as I ask a question, the children immediately raise their hands. The children can’t wait to tell me what their favorite game, color, food, princess, superhero, etc.
By asking questions, the children are no longer observers of the show –- they are participants in the show! And, even better, all the children can participate, not just the children chosen to assist me during the show. Once the children answer a question, I perform a magic trick related to the question.
> What’s happening? (The children see the magic, but I don’t.)
Another very powerful technique for engaging the children is letting them see the magic when I do not. For example, flowers disappear and reappear without my knowledge. My magic wand changes color and I don’t see the color changing. Or a picture magically comes to life. When I don’t see the flowers disappearing or the wand changing color, the children just cannot contain their excitement until I finally discover what’s going on.
> Repetition…repetition…repetition = Laughter…laughter…and even more laughter.
Another powerful technique is the use of repetition, which creates fun and excitement. For example, I hand a child a very long balloon (the type used for balloon animals) but don’t tie the end. When the child reaches for the balloon, I release it and the balloon flies away, this is hilarious to the children (and the adults laugh at the comedic situation). With each repetition, the children’s’ belly laughs become louder and louder.
> The children know I’m there to have fun with them!
I introduce myself to the children before I start the show in a very fun way. I blow up long balloons (the kind used for balloon animals) using a balloon pump about three-feet tall. Children (and adults!) are amazed by how the pump blows up the balloons. The children yell out the colors of the balloons as I inflate them. I ask them their names and ages. By the time I’ve finished blowing up the balloons, I’ve established a solid rapport with the children.
