On Thursday I presented to a group of local magicians on 10 ways that they could make sure their shows go well. With the holiday performing season just beginning I had some thoughts that my corporate clients (and other event organizers that will be using entertainment in the near future) may find helpful in getting the most for their investment:

1. Promote The Show – In the days and weeks leading up to your event advertise to your employees/guests that there will be entertainment.  If everyone expects that something will be happening the show will start much more smoothly and receive a better reaction from the audience.  To help with this I can provide promotional write-ups or even full posters that you can put up around the office.  Simply contact me if you would like any such items.
2. After-Dinner Entertainment Means “After Everyone Is Done Eating There Will Be Entertainment” – It’s tough to chew and laugh at the same time.  The best place to have the show portion of the evening is as soon as the meal is over and just as dessert is wrapping up.  This means that everyone is in the room and looking for something to do.  Also, if at all possible, any extended awards and speeches should be made after the show.  Let the performer get the audience’s attention, and then you can simply “roll with it”.
3. Mind The Gap – If you’re not a performer your tendency is to think that the stage where the entertainer is about to perform can go anywhere in the room, but – while that is technically true – the best place for the stage is along one of the long walls so that the audience is more wide than deep from the performer’s point of view.  Also, don’t put any great distance between the stage and the audience.  Items like a dance floor or buffet can make it difficult for the performer to establish a connection with the crowd.  You can always forward the floor plan and make sure that it is OK, or ask for the performer’s advice.
4. First Impressions - Be sure that there is someone there to introduce the performer right before the show.  (The performer should be able to tell you what he or she wants to have said.) This can be the MC of the evening or, if your event doesn’t require an MC, a highly visible and recognizable person from within your company.  With the proper introduction the show gets off to a great start.
5. Always Enough Time for a Sound Check – Leave enough time between your sound system being set up and the audience arriving to allow your performer the opportunity to make sure it sounds great.  There is almost nothing worse that hearing feedback (or not being able to hear the performer) when such a situation can be easily avoided.

Those are just a few of the ways to help make sure that your entertainer has a great show; making you look good as well for having booked it.  There are a lot of other steps that can be taken to maximize the audience’s reaction to the performer, but those five are the most common (and simplest) methods that I could come up with.

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