Again Mindpro said it all very very well.

I can not mention it enough that you need to be that "expert" on the subject and if you can get the backing of other experts in that field.

while I also offer evening family fun shows (which are quite different then my day time school show) although there are some of the same tricks as the kids love to see them again and they have told mom and dad about the trick and get so excited when when I perform it. they tell mom and dad "that's the one, this is it" I also have one trick that has a different ending so I kind of get a double whammy on the kids as they are all expecting one thing from what they saw earlier and now I trick them again.

as for subjects schools want or don't want I could say yes there are some but really if you come up with a great educational show that adds value to the school day then yes it could work. are some topics hotter then others YES. healthy living and anti bullying are hot right now. BUT that is NOT the reason to present that kind of show. honestly those that do the school shows with educational material have really found some thing that they believe in and desire to share with the students.

kids can tell if you there just to entertain and get the paycheck or if you are there because you care.

I would say find a void and fill it. look around and find out what schools need. talk to teachers principals, and other educators and find out what is currently important.

end of year shows are still pretty popular at least in my neck of the woods. as AL mentioned he did a few. I did several as well this past june.

good luck

sam

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Thank you Sam and Mindpro, and Dynamike for the links. That sounds like solid advice.

You are quite welcome.

Dynamike- you are giving Donald Dunphy some competition LOL
good job posting the links

sam

That's because I asked myself, "What Would Donald Do?"

Donald is the Link Posting King. I am the Link Posting Prince.

If you are the Prince, do you party like it's 1999?

LOL

I go into schools, but I don't go in for a K-5 assembly show. They bring me in for an assembly for pre-k through 1st grade. Yes, but David is right, I'm at preschools, fairs, malls, parks, theatres, and other venues, mostly. I do go into schools, though. I agree, you won't go wrong with Munton. He was extremely busy in DC, then moved to Dallas, and was as busy as ever there. When you can make it to different areas in a short amount of time, then purchasing his stuff is a great start. Good luck

I never knew Mike had a stuttering problem?

I would look at the show like a library show. It should have an overall theme to it ( bully, pre-teen issues, school subjects). Also, all schools function around here go through the PTA. They have a budget, but usually go for content than price. Some go through an agency, and the more they book through them, they get a discount or credit for the
next year. I would speak to every schools PTA president for info.

Whatever.

LOL

After reading this and other threads I can understand that there is an emphasis on magic shows having an educational theme. But I have to ask, Why?

When I was a kid we had a couple shows a year with one having a magician and another one with a marionette puppet show. There wasn't any messages. It was just a treat to us to be fully entertained. At the end of the marionette show we were all allowed to walk single file back stage and admire all the props. I can remember that like it was yesterday as it was a world so foreign to mine growing up on a cotton farm.

Am certain there is benefit in having messages with the entertainment. I just wonder if it is necessary to hammer points in the kid's head every moment? Those same adult educators who set those guidelines I think would be upset if they went to see and adult entertainment of music or comedy and had messages given every 5 minutes. I can't feel they would too happy if the entertainer in the middle of the show started asking people about their weight and exercise routine.

For those who have educational themes I say that is nice bonus to the show. But sometimes I just wish we could just entertain the kids.

It's not about hammering points in the kids head, they are not your customer, the school administration is. In any business you must serve the interests of your customer.

It's a matter of business. You're thinking and basing things today on what you remember from years ago. In the event you are not aware, things have definitely changed. With budget cuts and curriculum eliminations, things like an entertainment magic show is a thing of the past as you remember them.

Schools today either have to justify spending by only using education-based content that fits in and applies to their curriculum, or they have absolutely no budget, zero, to operate from unless they are self-sufficient in creating and raising their own funding. Or both.

While there may be a few times an entertainment only show might be utilized, they are the exception to the rule and very low-paying. The usually hire very low-end entertainment or parents of students, or those who will volunteer their services. There are maybe three exceptions to this.

As you've basically testified, you gained little or nothing from those old style entertainment assemblies of magic and puppet shows, you viewed them as a break, an escape from school work. Those days are gone. Everything has to be justified and approved.

Just as in any professional market if you are thinking of working the school market you better do your homework and understand the needs, interests and today's playing field to even have a chance to succeed.

All of this combined with the ill-perception of magician's today in the school system and the damage magicians have done to even the educational presentations trend offered by most magicians who think by simply can perform their standard kids show and incorporating a fake or thin motivational message will fool the educators and system, which has done damage to their perception to the market.

A school's job is not to entertain the kids, it's to educate. More than ever schools today have to be held accountable to this more than ever, and I only expect it to become more so.

Also in the example you gave, you are bombarding them with messages. The true art of an educational presentation it to make learning fun and interesting allowing kids to want to learn and easily learn the information or content, often without even being aware they being taught. It is a true art and the difference in creating and presentation rather than a performance.

You are correct that the school's job is not to entertain the kids but educate. But I believe education is not always adding up a math column or rote learning of historical dates. There is education in exposing young students to the world around them.

I don't think I worded my post correctly if you think I gained little or nothing from the shows. I did gain something. I was exposed to forms of art I would never see in my own personal world. The memories of those shows remain with me today. It wasn't a tv show or a video tape played on the school's auditorium screen. This was a live adult performing for us. And today especially with some lower income students they won't have that magician birthday party and never have the chance to see a live show otherwise.

It is just my opinion.

Yes, I do get where you are coming from but unfortunately it's the arts programs that always gets cut first. I agree with you I still remember some of those great assemblies as well.