Two Shows. Two Completely Different Audiences. Last week I did a magic show at a senior center that didn’t go quite the way I had planned. I had been told the center had a mixed population, some seniors who were completely independent, some who needed assistance, and some with dementia. When I arrived, I discovered that the audience was much more limited than I had expected. All of the residents for the magic were in wheelchairs, and many were not very responsive.
The show I prepared just wasn’t the right fit for the audience. This isn’t a criticism of the senior center. They were very nice, and I realized afterward that I needed to adapt my show to this particular group. At the end, I told the manager that she didn’t need to pay me because I didn’t feel I had delivered the show I wanted to deliver. She insisted on paying me, which I appreciated. But I kept thinking about the residents. So I offered to come back and put together a special show designed specifically for seniors with dementia and limited mobility, and, I’ll do that show for free. I am putting together the magic that will work best: very visual effects, colorful props, participation, simple comedy, and magic that doesn’t depend on remembering instructions or following a complicated story.
I’m enjoying putting this together. I already have some great material, and have rediscovering a few routines I haven’t performed in years. And here’s the funny part…The very next day I performed at a 30th birthday party. That show was a 10! Absolutely over the top! 😂 The audience was energetic, responsive and ready to have fun. I normally do my show and then leave but they were so friendly and inviting that my wife and I stayed for 3 hours ! That is a lot for me who is a natural hermit outside of magic.
So I went from one extreme to the other in 24 hours! But that’s one of the things I love about performing magic. Every audience teaches me something. I’m looking forward to going back to that senior center and giving them a show that is made for those with dementia . That’s the challenge I’m excited about now. 🎩✨