Birthday Openers Birthday Party Openers by Norm Barnhart
Clowns are always going to a celebration and birthday parties are one of the most common. It is fun to celebrate along with the guests and honor the birthday child.
Everyone is different and this article will focus on the methods that several top clowns use to get the party started. These tips will help you as you consider how to arrive at the birthday party and start your presentation. We have tapped the brains of a few experts and here is a collection of ways to get the party started.
When I enter the birthday party home and all of the kids are already there, I will get them excited about what I will do that day by doing some magic right away after I entered the door. I love to wow them on the spot and this sets the tone for the rest of the party. They can’t wait to see what’s next. For example, I will ask if they want to see a trick. They will answer with an enthusiastic “yes” so I pause, and notice something behind one of the children’s ears, I pull out a penny! They go wow but then I say, “wait wait!” and look at the birthday child for a moment, “I think I see a penny,,, yes!” I reach behind their ear and pull a jumbo coin! The crowd goes nuts. They are focused for the rest of the party.
I then do a quick Professor’s Nightmare Rope Trick with the ropes conveniently ready in my pocket and then after they are amazed by that I say, “do you want to see more magic??!” They are now beside themselves with excitement. I say, “I have a whole box full of tricks, if you can let me go for a few minutes and set up all the secrets, I will then let you know when I am ready for the big show.” I then am guided by the parent to the place of the show so I can set the show up in private. I bring backdrop and the works and set up in 15 minutes. The kids are ready and waiting and as I set they are playing or doing a craft in another part of the house. I have prepared and warmed them up to laugh and have fun with the magic and comedy.
Andrew Davis our WCA Ally Director on the executive board has a great approach to getting the birthday party started. He is an all-around fun guy from England says, “I do like to be there before everyone arrives and I arrive all dressed up in my bright clown attire.” He is ready to go and begin clowning from the start. Before the rest of the guests arrive he says, “I’ll speak to the family and the birthday child, ask them what they’re expecting and ask who is coming to the party.” This gets the birthday child comfortable and interacting with the clown. This is a great idea because it lets the birthday child and family connect and feel comfortable with the clown. “I just enjoy some general chat to make the birthday child feel familiar with me.” Then the child can introduce the clown to all the friends as they arrive and this makes for a warm reception and positive situation for all.
BeBop the Clown is a lively and talented Texas Entertainer and former President of the W.C.A. “When I arrive at a birthday party I try to arrive with a little extra time to meet the children, we become friends and they have an opportunity to ask questions…there’s always questions especially if you’ve given them time to warm-up to you. After a little meet and greet time…I’ll say; ‘Okay, let’s get started with the show…’”
The BeBop Show begins with upbeat music and some of her cute and silly dance numbers. “I usually start with an upbeat instrumental clown number by Arthur Stead (‘Klutzy Klown’ from Make it Magic Vol. II). This is music that the children will like but it’s not familiar to them ’cause it’s “clown music”. I have a few dance steps to go along with the music without speaking. The music and dance helps to get everyone’s attention that the show is about to begin.”
Then she moves into a strong magic routine such as a change bag with large colorful silks and an extra long and wide rainbow then the beautiful Blooming Bouquet. “It’s always something very colorful and very visible.” She gets the audience involved with the routines and that starts the show with lots of excitement and fun.
If your show is off to a good start the rest of the party will be easy! Have fun making them laugh and remember that BeBop, Andy and Norm (that’s me) will all be lecturing and entertaining you at our 2015 World Clown Convention in Reno. Check your calendar and don’t miss it!
Pause for an Extra Magical Moment by: Norm Barnhart
Do you want more laughs in your show? Do you want more ooohs and ahhs? Do you want your audience to react to your magic in an amazed way? Do you want each of your magic tricks to seem more powerful? If you did not say yes to any of these questions, then hurry and turn the page. If you are still here, let’s dig into a valuable tool that can make our magic and comedy stronger.
One of the most powerful theatrical tools an entertainer can use is a simple pause. Yes, this pause for effect will generate a stronger reaction to the magic effects and comedy bits and lines.
Let’s start with comedy. One of the biggest challenges a performer has is to relax and pause and wait for the laugh. Tension is built up in the audience during the set up of the joke as it builds or nonverbal physical comic movement bit leads up to its finish. At the punch line there is a small snap in the listener’s mind and this triggers a laugh. The mind is lead one way with the build up and then the surprise hits the mind like a punch and when the mind “gets” the joke it reacts with exhaling of air and a laugh.
The performer needs to pause and allow this to happen. Too often we rush on to the next effect hoping to keep the show moving at a fast pace. We don’t want to lose them. This is especially true at a kid show or even with tipsy adults during the social hour at a banquet – the attention span is the same! We want to keep everything moving quickly or we are afraid they might get bored or distracted.
The audience is starting to laugh and just then the performer rushes on to the next bit of business or joke. In the old days of show biz this was called, “stepping on the laugh.”
If we do not pause and let the audience react we will cut the laughter short. When we quickly move on, we stifle the laughter. Here is what happens, the audience begins to laugh at the situation or joke, but we cut them off by delivering another line or do some comic movement as we grab another prop. When we cut their reaction short, an audience will then be trained to not react as strongly or to hold back their reaction. Thus, we cause them to react less and less as our show goes on.
The Pause that Refreshes
Ahhh. Just a simple pause, will allow them to release that built up tension and exhale with a blast of laughter. This is healthy for the audience and brings joy to our ears. Watch the greats. Watch Jackie Gleason, Red Skelton, Milton Bearle, and the king of pauses . . . (wait for it). . . Jack Benny! When they pause and react to the situation, everything becomes funnier. As an audience laughs it stirs the others in the audience to laugh more. This is true as true for table hopping as it is for stage magic.
Great comics will pause and let the audience react and enjoy the comedy. Some will have a deadpan look of, “I cannot believe this.” Or they will stop and mug and make a face and freeze. Your face is your greatest comic tool, pause and let the audience enjoy your comedy. Try it, you’ll like it! You will instantly see better reaction to your comedy.
Pausing for More Wonderful & Wonder-filled Magic
As magicians we want our audience to be filled with wonder at the mysteries we present. But the rushing on to the next effect will kill the wonder. Are we afraid that our magic will be figured out if we pause? I have found that by just freezing, then relaxing at various moments after something has just appeared or vanished, will bring a stronger reaction. Mitch Williams goes into this in great depth in his Art of Magic lecture and DVD set. (TheArtofMagicSeries.com)
Twenty years ago, I had the wonderful opportunity to study with the amazing, magical inventor Al Schneider. His teaching was great and one of the more important things I learned was the way he broke down each effect and had me practice each step. His original Matrix routine took the world of magic by storm. Within a few years everyone had a new climax to add a kicker on to the effect. Al taught me that simply pausing as the final coin appeared was the simple and strongest finish. Pause, relax, and let the audience enjoy, and react to, the wonder of magic.
When we pause for a moment just after the magic happens, the effect becomes more powerful and the audience reaction becomes more powerful. It’s a win-win situation.
If you want people to really enjoy your magic and be amazed at your wonderful gift then pause. When we stop and let the audience react and respond we will get a bigger and stronger response. Jaws drop, people gasp and look at each other and then see how others are reacting and as they see their friend’s jaw drop it will bring an even stronger reaction from them. There is this moment where they relate to each other with a reaction of, “did you see what I just saw?” You are suddenly a bit more amazing in everyone’s eyes. Let them have their OMG moment together and you will look like a better performer as they react to you.
A stronger response is our goal, and this is true for kid and family shows or strolling at a hospitality suite or banquet. Give this idea a test drive for 20 days and let me know if you like it.
Comedy DVD Presentations that will add fun to your show
Norm's articles are at ComedyNorm.wordpress.com
Norm’s comic routines, books and DVDs are at: NormBarnhart.com
Clowns are always going to a celebration and birthday parties are one of the most common. It is fun to celebrate along with the guests and honor the birthday child.
Everyone is different and this article will focus on the methods that several top clowns use to get the party started. These tips will help you as you consider how to arrive at the birthday party and start your presentation. We have tapped the brains of a few experts and here is a collection of ways to get the party started.
When I enter the birthday party home and all of the kids are already there, I will get them excited about what I will do that day by doing some magic right away after I entered the door. I love to wow them on the spot and this sets the tone for the rest of the party. They can’t wait to see what’s next. For example, I will ask if they want to see a trick. They will answer with an enthusiastic “yes” so I pause, and notice something behind one of the children’s ears, I pull out a penny! They go wow but then I say, “wait wait!” and look at the birthday child for a moment, “I think I see a penny,,, yes!” I reach behind their ear and pull a jumbo coin! The crowd goes nuts. They are focused for the rest of the party.
I then do a quick Professor’s Nightmare Rope Trick with the ropes conveniently ready in my pocket and then after they are amazed by that I say, “do you want to see more magic??!” They are now beside themselves with excitement. I say, “I have a whole box full of tricks, if you can let me go for a few minutes and set up all the secrets, I will then let you know when I am ready for the big show.” I then am guided by the parent to the place of the show so I can set the show up in private. I bring backdrop and the works and set up in 15 minutes. The kids are ready and waiting and as I set they are playing or doing a craft in another part of the house. I have prepared and warmed them up to laugh and have fun with the magic and comedy.
Andrew Davis our WCA Ally Director on the executive board has a great approach to getting the birthday party started. He is an all-around fun guy from England says, “I do like to be there before everyone arrives and I arrive all dressed up in my bright clown attire.” He is ready to go and begin clowning from the start. Before the rest of the guests arrive he says, “I’ll speak to the family and the birthday child, ask them what they’re expecting and ask who is coming to the party.” This gets the birthday child comfortable and interacting with the clown. This is a great idea because it lets the birthday child and family connect and feel comfortable with the clown. “I just enjoy some general chat to make the birthday child feel familiar with me.” Then the child can introduce the clown to all the friends as they arrive and this makes for a warm reception and positive situation for all.
BeBop the Clown is a lively and talented Texas Entertainer and former President of the W.C.A. “When I arrive at a birthday party I try to arrive with a little extra time to meet the children, we become friends and they have an opportunity to ask questions…there’s always questions especially if you’ve given them time to warm-up to you. After a little meet and greet time…I’ll say; ‘Okay, let’s get started with the show…’”
The BeBop Show begins with upbeat music and some of her cute and silly dance numbers. “I usually start with an upbeat instrumental clown number by Arthur Stead (‘Klutzy Klown’ from Make it Magic Vol. II). This is music that the children will like but it’s not familiar to them ’cause it’s “clown music”. I have a few dance steps to go along with the music without speaking. The music and dance helps to get everyone’s attention that the show is about to begin.”
Then she moves into a strong magic routine such as a change bag with large colorful silks and an extra long and wide rainbow then the beautiful Blooming Bouquet. “It’s always something very colorful and very visible.” She gets the audience involved with the routines and that starts the show with lots of excitement and fun.
If your show is off to a good start the rest of the party will be easy! Have fun making them laugh and remember that BeBop, Andy and Norm (that’s me) will all be lecturing and entertaining you at our 2015 World Clown Convention in Reno. Check your calendar and don’t miss it!
Pause for an Extra Magical Moment by: Norm Barnhart
Do you want more laughs in your show? Do you want more ooohs and ahhs? Do you want your audience to react to your magic in an amazed way? Do you want each of your magic tricks to seem more powerful? If you did not say yes to any of these questions, then hurry and turn the page. If you are still here, let’s dig into a valuable tool that can make our magic and comedy stronger.
One of the most powerful theatrical tools an entertainer can use is a simple pause. Yes, this pause for effect will generate a stronger reaction to the magic effects and comedy bits and lines.
Let’s start with comedy. One of the biggest challenges a performer has is to relax and pause and wait for the laugh. Tension is built up in the audience during the set up of the joke as it builds or nonverbal physical comic movement bit leads up to its finish. At the punch line there is a small snap in the listener’s mind and this triggers a laugh. The mind is lead one way with the build up and then the surprise hits the mind like a punch and when the mind “gets” the joke it reacts with exhaling of air and a laugh.
The performer needs to pause and allow this to happen. Too often we rush on to the next effect hoping to keep the show moving at a fast pace. We don’t want to lose them. This is especially true at a kid show or even with tipsy adults during the social hour at a banquet – the attention span is the same! We want to keep everything moving quickly or we are afraid they might get bored or distracted.
The audience is starting to laugh and just then the performer rushes on to the next bit of business or joke. In the old days of show biz this was called, “stepping on the laugh.”
If we do not pause and let the audience react we will cut the laughter short. When we quickly move on, we stifle the laughter. Here is what happens, the audience begins to laugh at the situation or joke, but we cut them off by delivering another line or do some comic movement as we grab another prop. When we cut their reaction short, an audience will then be trained to not react as strongly or to hold back their reaction. Thus, we cause them to react less and less as our show goes on.
The Pause that Refreshes
Ahhh. Just a simple pause, will allow them to release that built up tension and exhale with a blast of laughter. This is healthy for the audience and brings joy to our ears. Watch the greats. Watch Jackie Gleason, Red Skelton, Milton Bearle, and the king of pauses . . . (wait for it). . . Jack Benny! When they pause and react to the situation, everything becomes funnier. As an audience laughs it stirs the others in the audience to laugh more. This is true as true for table hopping as it is for stage magic.
Great comics will pause and let the audience react and enjoy the comedy. Some will have a deadpan look of, “I cannot believe this.” Or they will stop and mug and make a face and freeze. Your face is your greatest comic tool, pause and let the audience enjoy your comedy. Try it, you’ll like it! You will instantly see better reaction to your comedy.
Pausing for More Wonderful & Wonder-filled Magic
As magicians we want our audience to be filled with wonder at the mysteries we present. But the rushing on to the next effect will kill the wonder. Are we afraid that our magic will be figured out if we pause? I have found that by just freezing, then relaxing at various moments after something has just appeared or vanished, will bring a stronger reaction. Mitch Williams goes into this in great depth in his Art of Magic lecture and DVD set. (TheArtofMagicSeries.com)
Twenty years ago, I had the wonderful opportunity to study with the amazing, magical inventor Al Schneider. His teaching was great and one of the more important things I learned was the way he broke down each effect and had me practice each step. His original Matrix routine took the world of magic by storm. Within a few years everyone had a new climax to add a kicker on to the effect. Al taught me that simply pausing as the final coin appeared was the simple and strongest finish. Pause, relax, and let the audience enjoy, and react to, the wonder of magic.
When we pause for a moment just after the magic happens, the effect becomes more powerful and the audience reaction becomes more powerful. It’s a win-win situation.
If you want people to really enjoy your magic and be amazed at your wonderful gift then pause. When we stop and let the audience react and respond we will get a bigger and stronger response. Jaws drop, people gasp and look at each other and then see how others are reacting and as they see their friend’s jaw drop it will bring an even stronger reaction from them. There is this moment where they relate to each other with a reaction of, “did you see what I just saw?” You are suddenly a bit more amazing in everyone’s eyes. Let them have their OMG moment together and you will look like a better performer as they react to you.
A stronger response is our goal, and this is true for kid and family shows or strolling at a hospitality suite or banquet. Give this idea a test drive for 20 days and let me know if you like it.
Comedy DVD Presentations that will add fun to your show
Norm's articles are at ComedyNorm.wordpress.com
Norm’s comic routines, books and DVDs are at: NormBarnhart.com