Filler in your show

[Axe]

What? Who's Filler and why's he in my show?
No, actually I want to know some of the things you folks do
to bulk out your shows. Fiber maybe? Lots of broccoli?
Our gags and magic make up the meat of the show, I thought I'd start a thread collecting all the funny stuff we do in between the
skits and magic tricks.

[Perry Noia]

actually, I don't do magic... I do music, it's the bulk of my show. I also have a parachute to play with the kids. Everyone loves a parachute! I got it originally for the Baby Signs classes I used to teach, but heck, I like to play with parachutes so everyone in between is sure to love it too!

Once I've done a bunch of song/games with actions and stuff, some parachute play... there's just enough time left for balloons and that's about it... eventually I'll learn the face painting bit too and I'll have more than enough.

[Pickles]

Let's start at the very beginning.....

I think it's very important to always have some kind of an intro where you introduce yourself to the kids and loosen them up. I always do something to get them applauding and cheering me before I even start.

For instance, I'll tell them that I have two VERY important things to tell them about my show. First of all, if at any time during the show, they see or hear anything that they love or think is really funny, I want them to (I make them guess)...YES! Laugh and cheer and clap their hands.

"Let's practice right now!"

They start clapping and cheering. I courtsey, thank them, and pretend the show is over. Then I remember that it hasn't even started yet. Oops.

Then I tell them the second, AND THE MOST IMPORTANT thing about my show. If they see anything they DON'T like--anything that stinks "PEEEEWW," guess what I want them to do?"

That's right! Laugh, cheer, and clap their hands! "Let's try it again."

There's no way that any kid is going to sit back passively during my show after that warm-up--and it filled up a few minutes, too!

[Miss Daisy Doodles]

Pickles those are cute ideas! I am a sponge and soaking'em all up! I having started clowning yet but I am sewing my outfit, I've came up with a name etc....I can't wait to get started. My first event will be a fall fest at my church. I am hoping this is something I can make some part time money from. I don't charge my church. I want it first and foremost to be a ministry. I love this website, so many ideas! My clown name is Daisy Doodles.

[Governor of Florida in 1682]

I do a version of the tightrope skit. When my wife goes with me she tries to talk me out of it because tightrope walking is so dangerous. I set up a couple of folding chairs for the platforms. Tie a rope to the 1st chair and string it to the 2nd chair. Pull a bit and the 1st chair falls over. Tie to the 2nd chair and go back to the 1st chair, as you reset it pull the 2nd chair over. A couple of times of this then get the wise idea to just stretch the rope on the ground and do the High Wire on ground level. So far the audiences have gotten a chuckle.

[saphireSue]

I have a mucsical introduction cd I play which introduces me, but cont. on for a little over a min. Since I'm country I start with half the group yelling D as loud and possible, then the next group is .. HOW, I'm sure you can guess but I get them going faster and faster, then Howdy How ya'll doing......

[Pickles]

I forgot to say that another thing I sometimes do at the very beginning of the show is, after I tell the tykes my name, I ask them to tell me their names. We count to three and then I have all of them shout their names as loud as they can. Then I thank them for helping me get acquainted with them and helping me learn all their names.

I start rattling off some of their names (I know several of their names in advance.) "So I heard Cody and Danielle and Kate and Jake and Rumpelstiltskin and Phinehas Dingle ...." Of course they start screaming that there is no Rumpelstiltskin or Phineas Dingle at the party.

I argue with them awhile and then wave to the back of the audience. I tell them that Rumpelstiltskin & Phinehas Dingle just slipped out the back and I was waving goodbye to them.

There's another minute or two, gone forever.

[Pickles]

Originally Posted by Pickles

Let's start at the very beginning.....

I think it's very important to always have some kind of an intro where you introduce yourself to the kids and loosen them up. I always do something to get them applauding and cheering me before I even start.

For instance, I'll tell them that I have two VERY important things to tell them about my show. First of all, if at any time during the show, they see or hear anything that they love or think is really funny, I want them to (I make them guess)...YES! Laugh and cheer and clap their hands.

"Let's practice right now!"

They start clapping and cheering. I courtsey, thank them, and pretend the show is over. Then I remember that it hasn't even started yet. Oops.

Then I tell them the second, AND THE MOST IMPORTANT thing about my show. If they see anything they DON'T like--anything that stinks "PEEEEWW," guess what I want them to do?"

That's right! Laugh, cheer, and clap their hands! "Let's try it again."

There's no way that any kid is going to sit back passively during my show after that warm-up--and it filled up a few minutes, too!

Fitz, I am trying to figure out what I did that was so STINKY in this post? Did I truly deserve a groan? Gimme a break!!!!!!

[cte53271]

I can't wait I'm going to get my new hair dew mabe this week end, my hair is going to be a rainbow color, I thought about making my costume soon, I would like to be in the Christmas prade, well see.

[Granny Grace]

Pickles,

I love your ideas, mind if I use them?