EPTFew weeks ago, I was down at a FBLA regional competition (failed mine btw... I think I failed grammar section (>_<) ). During the grading, they held a talent show. With only one person signed up, they wanted more people to come down and perform.
I was sitting down, talking to a freshmen who also had deck of cards. We were sharing some info when my friend suddenly interrupted me. "Why don't you go up there and do something?"
After 5 minutes of discussion, I decided to do it. All I had was a deck of cards and a piece of paper. But in 5 seconds I was prepared to perform my act.
As I got ready to get up on the stage, a group of students tried to imitate Criss Angel in a really horrible manner (although they tried to make audience laugh and such, they were on stage for about 10 minutes with 2 minute act). This set the stage.
Second to last, I walk up to the stage. I tell the audience (about 100 people?) that I don't sing nor dance, but I have something else to show them. When I tried to pick an audience for participation, they knew what I was going to do. Knowing what actually happened before, they started booing at me. The host didn't even help me at all. Nonetheless, I calmed them down by making fun of the previous Criss Angel act.
Took a piece of paper, and wrote down my prediction card, huge, across the paper so that the audiences in the far back can see it. AND THEN THE HOST READS WHAT I WROTE DOWN ALOUD TO THE AUDIENCE. 'FUCK' With dissatisfied face, I look at the host. He just goes off with 'Was I not supposed to do that? Sorry try again.'
Sigh.
Preparation for the trick was meaningless, so everything became impromptu. Wrote down a different card on a smaller piece of paper. Then I handed the paper off to someone else, telling them to keep it secure. Audience was still not satisfied, but they were patient enough.
Called up another audience, made him pick a card. After showing everyone in the small auditorium what the card was (he had to run around the auditorium haha), I asked him what the card was.
'2 of Spades'
I go back to the first volunteer, take the paper, and show the audience what the prediction was.
At this point, I have earned the trust of my audience. They were clapping for me and cheering for me. The host, who looked worried throughout the performance, was actually happy that I did well.
And this is where the fun begins.
As soon as I start walking off the stage, the Criss Angel dude runs down the isle and yells 'I CAN REDEEM MYSELF.' The audiences and the host boo him off the stage.
But I had different things in mind.
Instead of making him walk away, I did a simple mind-reading trick with the dude, on the spot. Magician vs Magician. When I mindread the card correctly, his face was priceless. Even though the audience didn't know what the guy picked, his face said everything. 'This shit is real'
Honestly, I only carried a pack of cards to play with other friends that day. Instead, I perform live on stage and got cheered on by everyone who was in the auditorium. But then I began to wonder. Was I really this good?
When I first started out performing, I was bad. Not because my skills were bad, but because my performance overall sucked. There was no audience-performer interaction, and my body language hinted the audience what I was trying to do secretly. Even the most complicated magic didn't amaze the audience; they were simply saying 'wow' and walked off.
This time, it was different. I did the simplest magic trick that I can do. Pick a card and I'll guess it. Pick a card and that card will be on the paper that I have written on previously. Very simple tricks, very easy to do. Yet, the reaction was phenomenal.
With good body language and proper audience control (including winning them over to 'my side' during the performance), I was able to get the best reactions out of the audience.
When I walked off, my friends told me that I did a great job. My teacher was surprised that I could do such things. All I told them was...
"I really wanted to get off the stage... whew! *laughs*"
I was a very different person off the stage.
Why am I saying this story?
When I talk to some people about doing a performance, they are too shy to do it. They have the necessary skills to perform well, yet they do not try at all or choke when they get up to the stage.
Hell, I was very nervous before getting up on the stage. However, when I got up there, everything changed. I had to do what I had to do.
Standing up on the stage to perform, sing etc. is nothing to be embarrassed of. In fact, you should 'show off' what you can do.
If you're very uncomfortable, interact with the audience. Talk with them, have a little chat. Throw some jokes around. Remember: You shouldn't be afraid of them; you should control the audience.
And make sure. If you screw up, or if someone else screws you up, think fast. If you wait too long to act, then you've lost your momentum. Even if you start over, the audience reaction won't be the same.
+ Show Spoiler +
After the regular performance, I had to break a tie for the 2nd place (top 2 were invited to the State competition's talent show... more like time filler).
5 re-votes and the 2nd place was still not decided. The host told us to do another 30 second act. I immediately panicked.
I have only prepared one trick on the stage, which was perfect. The audiences in the back, who really can't see the card up on the stage due to distance and the angle, were able to see what was going on. Also, I was never a stage magic specialist. I am a street performer who revised his routine to work on the stage.
After I agreed to the re-performance, I told my opponent to go first. I had 30 seconds to think up of a trick that will grab audience's attention.
'Ok. Simple card change, that is all. If the shape/color changes, people in the back can see it too. But how will the people in the back see my performance if all they can see is the head of the person in front of them?'
I took 2 seconds to look around, and found a chair.
When it was my turn, I stood up on the chair the whole time. With this, I was able to perform for everyone in the auditorium, even to the students who were at the back.
I did take 2nd place, and I was glad about it. But I was more impressed about my quick reactions (selecting which trick, deciding how to do it, finding the right materials).
Maybe I could be a great performer in the future.
5 re-votes and the 2nd place was still not decided. The host told us to do another 30 second act. I immediately panicked.
I have only prepared one trick on the stage, which was perfect. The audiences in the back, who really can't see the card up on the stage due to distance and the angle, were able to see what was going on. Also, I was never a stage magic specialist. I am a street performer who revised his routine to work on the stage.
After I agreed to the re-performance, I told my opponent to go first. I had 30 seconds to think up of a trick that will grab audience's attention.
'Ok. Simple card change, that is all. If the shape/color changes, people in the back can see it too. But how will the people in the back see my performance if all they can see is the head of the person in front of them?'
I took 2 seconds to look around, and found a chair.
When it was my turn, I stood up on the chair the whole time. With this, I was able to perform for everyone in the auditorium, even to the students who were at the back.
I did take 2nd place, and I was glad about it. But I was more impressed about my quick reactions (selecting which trick, deciding how to do it, finding the right materials).
Maybe I could be a great performer in the future.
