It’s a pickle; you do a great show and people want you back. But, can you do a different show?
Here’s an e-mail that a wonderful client, the PTA president of an elementary school in Maple Valley, sent:
I had a little bit of resistance to bringing you back again this year and would like you to give me some input to help sell your show a little harder. Everyone loved you last year and thinks you did a great job, but are concerned with the idea of doing the same thing two years in a row.
Can you give me some input and examples of how your Reading Magic show is different than the Science Magic so that I can assure board members it will not be a repeat of last year?
I would love to have you back because you were great to work with, very professionally put together and the kids loved you; so you made my job as planner very easy–now we have to convince everyone else!
It’s a good point asking about return visits, but that’s the nice thing about my shows: my Reading Magic and Science Magic assemblies are completely different, with no material repeated.
Reading Magic encourages kids to unlock the power of their imagination with books. I use some of their favorite authors and characters throughout the show. It encourages kids to turn off the TV and tune in to the fun and thrill of reading.
Science Magic is a great kick-off or culmination for the school science fair or just as a way to show kids the magic of scientific principles. Several of the experiments and demonstrations can be recreated by students and teachers, instantly returning the excitement from the assembly back to the classroom.
If a school wants to add an evening Family Night Magic Show to their afternoon assembly there will be a routine or joke that I did last year. (Combining afternoon and evening shows is a great way to insure that kids go home talking about the show and their parents and siblings back for the evening show.)
“Jeff Evans has been coming to our school for nine consecutive years to do his assemblies. He is a great presenter to have on an annual basis. His assemblies are informative, educational, humorous, and well-researched. Jeff targets his audience well and has fresh material in every presentation.
“Jeff relates well to kids and engages them in his performance. He always has a positive message and kids love him! He is very entertaining!
-Joy Carrington, R. E. Bennett Elementary principal
Even when the kids see a trick or routine a second time, it’s not a problem. I work many events (libraries, schools, community festivals and fairs) that I’ve done for ten years where kids literally grow up watching me perform. Many of them ask me to “please do the trick where Abraham Lincoln talks” (or whatever). It’s like listening to their favorite song or watching their favorite movie. Sure, they know what is going to happen, but they still love seeing it again.
Sometimes when I’m hired for a birthday party kids will specifically ask in advance that I bring “Sparky the chicken” (etc.). They’ll actually be mad if they don’t get to see their favorite bit!
I do not, however, recommend doing the same show two consecutive years. For instance, last week I received a call from an elementary school in Olympia that had my No Bullies Allowed program last year. They wanted me back to teach the same message. Instead, I recommended my partner Rick Anderson who also does a great bully prevention program.
What is your opinion about repeat performances for school assemblies?