Lessons Learned from Decades of Performing:
Tips and Insights from a Seasoned Children’s Entertainer
In this episode in the Vault of Wisdom series, we share lessons that a long-time kids entertainer has learned from years of performing.
Greg McMahan, an all-around professional entertainer who uses magic, comedy, balloon twisting, juggling, and clowning in his shows, has been a featured speaker in a number of children’s entertainer conventions and is the author of the terrific book Kids Think It’s Funny. He is also the magic program director of the Circus Camp. From his wealth of experience, he shares in this episode not just how to handle audiences, parents, and agents, but also how to improve yourself as an entertainer—and many more besides.
In this episode we discuss:
Greg’s work experience as an “advanced clown”
His material and approach for different age groups
How Greg builds rapport before performing
His one audience control technique
How he deals with parents and adults during his shows
How he deals with his “bad shows”
How he uses music and sound effects in his performances
Tips on working with agents
How much new material do his shows have
Tips for kids entertainers who are afraid to screw up
Technical skills vs. performing skills
Tips on how to hone your performing and improvisational skills
The performers who influenced him
Lessons he learned along the way
How he makes his balloon twisting gigs entertaining for his audience
The importance of being yourself as a performer
Some of his performance “horror stories”
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Greg Mcmahan’s website and book Kids Think It’s Funny
Circus Camp
Beakman’s World’s Paul Zaloom
Avner the Eccentric
KEH Shop
Kids Entertainers Facebook Group
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Now it's your turn!
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