Performing at School, a plea from the heart

[Brendon.Selley]

Guys,

I see on here time and time again, threads which say "What can I perform at school now that cards are banned?" or "How can I get rid of my cards in a hurry, because I'm not supposed to have them" - or one of a number of School Rules that are being broken.

It's great to perform at school and get feedback from your friends, it really is - heck, if we couldn't get feedback from those we choose to call friends, we'd have a hard time improving.

Having said that - if your school has made it known to you that your magic is not welcome, whether it's just that you only perform cards, or that the school doesn't welcome you creating a disturbance or a large gathering of people - Why would you go and break these rules?

Rule breaking doesn't make you more of an underground magician, or more of a rebel - it just angers those that have authority, those who are able to make your life a little worse (whether it's extra homework or a detention).

Instead of this, if you're after feedback, why not spend one evening a week at a local Children's Hospital?

If you spoke to them first and arranged something, I'm sure they'd welcome the entertainment.

Why not volunteer to entertain at an Old Folks Home? Again, plenty of real world performing chances there, but it's maybe something you wouldn't have considered first.

School is there for learning, and by flagrantly flaunting the rules there, you damage all of our reputations - whether you mean to or not.

Every time you have a deck of cards in your hands, or every time you approach someone to show them a trick, you're also carrying my reputation, you're carrying the reputations of everyone here - right the way up to Brad - Please make sure you do us all proud and act with dignity and manners towards your spectators, or those who are asking you to discontinue your performance and move on.

If only one person gets something from this thread, then it's been worth my time.

Thank you.



Brendon.

[crazyfatkid_58]

This is a great, thought about, well written thread. The only problem I have with it is that my school bans cards for gambling purposes, not magic, not as objects, but for gambling. And the school doesnt care bout the crowds. But good thought bRendon

cheers

Rob

[Forge]

I would like to congratulate you Brendon. We shouldn't be encouraging people to break rules. This is a very important message.

Now, why do people perform at school? Is it because they would like some practice in front of strangers? In that case, a Children's Hospital or Retirement Home may be better. Is it because they want to show their friends? In that case, it is possible to arrange time outside of school to perform. Is it because they enjoy performing as often as they can? In that case, I understand, but I don't suggest you break the rules.

School is for learning. Do that first, then worry about the rules.

[masta_p]

This is a great, thought about, well written thread. The only problem I have with it is that my school bans cards for gambling purposes, not magic, not as objects, but for gambling. And the school doesnt care bout the crowds. But good thought bRendon

cheers

Rob

Same as mine. First I asked my school guidance if it's ok to play card trick for fun during lunch and break, so she said it's ok but not for gambling purposes but for trick purpose. I saw many students play with Yugioh cards during lunch and it was fine. Well, i don't have any spectators to show them my trick except my neighbors, so who else to show?

[chickenhunta69]

Good thread Brandon. I agree whole heartedly with it all. I never did magic when I was in school but I know they had a strong rule about not using cards. I just wanted to add that I'm sure if the students talked to the teachers or principal and explained they did magic that maybe they would let you do tricks. Such as free period or lunch or whatever. I know fully what you mean about people making threads about it all the time. I don't know how many threads concerning doing magic in school. And it really comes down to just being repectful for your teachers and principals which means if after you talked to them about using cards for magic they still say no then don't do it at all. I enjoy the idea to volunteer. I am getting a name around my town for volunteering and its a nice feeling to have.

Volunteering for a childrens hospital makes it easier for everyone there. From my experiences I know just volunteering even 30 minutes a day for a local hospital makes it easier for the staff because when I am entertaining the kids the staff can relax for a small period. It helps the kids because they are being entertained and don't have to think about their problems even if its only 30 minutes. And the parents, if they are there, just love to see someone thats in high school or, 23 like me, will take the time out to volunteer just to put a smile on a strangers face. And when you are done with the kids maybe even do a trick for a few of the staff or the parents. Thats what I do it helps me try out my not so kid friendly tricks and gets a reputation for yourself.

As for the retirement home (most staff members don't like retirement homes being refered to as Old Folks homes) I haven't volunteered locally for one yet but do plan on in the future.

So just to add to the younger crowd just because you can't do card tricks in school, just remember there is always mentalism, and coin magic. Just don't disobey the teachers if they tell you to stop just do it, and tell them you appreactiate they let you do it as long as you did. And don't be afraid to volunteer. It will both help your reputation. And maybe some of you won't understand this yet but volunteering with put a smile on many less fortunates peoples faces even if its just for a couple hours. And that right there will last way longer with the spectator and the magician way longer then just doing a few tricks for a friend at school. And its far less fustration on you the magicians side because you are performing magic at somewhere you are allowed to perform and have fun. Which will in turn make the magic more enjoyable for all. Having a reputation like that can help you get jobs in the future, and just make a name for you in general. I talk from experience because I just rescently started volunteering and have gotten a few gigs if I feel I am ready enough to take.

[Brendon.Selley]

Volunteering for a childrens hospital makes it easier for everyone there. From my experiences I know just volunteering even 30 minutes a day for a local hospital makes it easier for the staff because when I am entertaining the kids the staff can relax for a small period. It helps the kids because they are being entertained and don't have to think about their problems even if its only 30 minutes. And the parents, if they are there, just love to see someone thats in high school or, 23 like me, will take the time out to volunteer just to put a smile on a strangers face. And when you are done with the kids maybe even do a trick for a few of the staff or the parents. Thats what I do it helps me try out my not so kid friendly tricks and gets a reputation for yourself.

That's exactly my point. If more people were willing to give freely of their time to help or entertain others, the world would be a better place.

This past Christmas Day, instead of having Turkey and Trimmings (This is largely a UK thing I guess,) I went to the local hospital and spent just a couple of hours there, on both adults and childrens wards.

There is truly no feeling like bringing a smile to someone's face - especially when that person has reasons to be feeling down.

I still consider this Christmas to be the best one I've ever experienced, and I don't want to get too pretentious here, but the best gift I've ever receieved were the smiles on the faces of those who I entertained during my time there.

Since then, I go back at least once a month - who knows when we'll ever be stuck in there and bored out of our skulls?

The same can be said for retirement homes, how would you feel as a layman if you saw a teenager giving up his time to come and entertain your grandparents/parents?

The least we can do is give a little bit back to society.


Brendon.

[Roy Ornelas]

The point Brendon is making and the point you guys are missing is as follows:

School is meant for learning not performing magic, gambling, etc.,

Therefore follow Brendon's advice dont perform magic in school volunteer in a children's hopsital.

Concentrate on you studies.

[KevinReylek]

Whether or not cards or other objects are banned or allowed at your school, and you want to perform magic anyway, save it for lunch breaks, recess, and after school. Don't perform during class. I don't care if it's coins, cards, or any other form of magic.

Some teachers will react differently to magic in class, some may explode and take your stuff away. Others may allow you to continue as long as you're quiet.

By doing magic in class, you're doing yourself a huge disservice. I'm not concerned about the 30 or so other kids in class, just you.

In my 8th grade math class, I sat very near the back of the room near one guy who really enjoyed seeing magic. I would perform effects for him and have quiet chats all during class, and my grades suffered for it.

Between terms, my teacher discreetly moved me to the front of the class, right under her nose. I stopped doing magic in class and was forced to do nothing but the work for the day and listen to her, because I was right under her nose. Rapidly, my grades jumped by about 2 letters. It's not that I was incapable of making the grades before, I just wasn't paying attention to what I should have been. Once my distraction was taken away, the grade area was just fine.

There are plenty of opportunities at school where you can perform, but use a bit of control and don't show it during class time.

An exception could be on special days with teacher permission, to do a show for your whole class. I did this on several ocassions, if we had a half day or on the last day of a term when not much in the way of academics could be accomplished. I'd get up in front of the class and perform a whole set. And yes, the teachers enjoyed it too, they're people after all.

And for those who are at school where cards are banned outright, use other forms of magic during lunch and after school, and ask permission to bring your cards on one of these special days. Faculty and administration folk can be pretty reasonable if you approach them in an appropriate manner.

[Lamont100]

Brendon,

Great points man! School is a place of knowledge not for entertainment... But with volunterring, its truly amazeing how 30 minutes could change your whole over all thoughts about the art... BlackStone, used to give away rabbits to children in the audienece to create a moment they will remember forever... We are giveing our time, and what better feeling is there when somone has almost lost all hope to give them something to beleive in again... Putting a smile on somones face that is TRUE Magic, and there is no price that can compare to that reward...

-Dylan

[RJohnson]

Brendon,

Great post. I really can't add more to the comment that have been made. Just wanted you to know I appreciate the advice that you have given. It is this sort of teaching that is so important on E; I hope the other users take it for what it is...simple good advice. If your school has no constraints, and you do not create a disturbance...super. If they do, you will have many other opportunities to do your thing.

Bob

[EddWithers]

I wonder if Daz is around to reply, he is a teacher, and I believe not the only one on the boards.

Teachers ban anything that may distract- game-boys, Walkmans, pogs, Pokemon cards, and playing cards. They are not against magic- but distractions.

Nice advice Brendon.

[Mr. Normark]

Well, i'm just amazed of how different the schools are. I live in Denmark, and I have never heard of anything like this about things being banned. Especially not regular and undangerous items as a deck of cards.
Somehow it's frightening thats it's such a huge problem with gambling in school, anyway i didn't know that. It's always a bit interesting to hear about everyday stuff going on in other contries.
Back to the topic. I totally agree with those thinking that the rules shouldn't be broken. If you obey the rules and act friendly to the teachers theres normally quiet a lot of benefits. They are more friendly to you, and maybe more likely to stretch the rules a bit and maybe even give you special permission to bring a deck of card for magic.
I have in most situations always followed the school rules, and today in the 9th grade, I can do pretty much what i want too. I am hired to take care of their website, do the intranet and lots of other tasks. The teachers like me and therefore I have a lot more opportunities.

That was a little story from Denmark ;) hehe

Summed up: Obey the rules, and if its not possible to get special permission then as many of the other people have suggested; do other kinds of magic.


Sorry for any bad english etc.

[JasonB]

Very good post and I have a bit to add.

Take the suggestion and follow the rules, if not for the sake of just following the rules, then do it out of vanity. Let me explain.

If you have a reputation of distracting attention from class due to magic, you will most likely be frowned upon when the time comes to actually perform at a school event. However, if it is acknowledged that magic is your hobby and you perform respectfully at appropriate times / places, perhaps your name will be remembered in a good light and will be offered an opportunity to perform at a notible function.

[Mr. Leaf]

Very good post and I have a bit to add.

Take the suggestion and follow the rules, if not for the sake of just following the rules, then do it out of vanity. Let me explain.

If you have a reputation of distracting attention from class due to magic, you will most likely be frowned upon when the time comes to actually perform at a school event. However, if it is acknowledged that magic is your hobby and you perform respectfully at appropriate times / places, perhaps your name will be remembered in a good light and will be offered an opportunity to perform at a notible function.

Completely agreed Jason. The same can be said for in class time. If you are constantly disrupting the class and performing when you should be listening or doing your work then you will get a reputation for doing just that and when the time comes that you have free time, are done you work, etc you will most likely not be allowed to perform where as if you are always listening, finishing your work, and getting good grades the teacher probably won't mind if you perform a bit, as you've earned the chance. This is the theory I use, and every so often I will get the chance to perform in class. Besides that you have lunch time, you have after and before school, and there are so many other places you could perform.

-Ted

[Zander]

Ptenbob, what can I say about your post that hasn't already been said about sliced bread, it's great man. As a 17 year on in High school I know all too well the reprecussions from performing at school. This year even I decided some 2-3 weeks into school that I was done performing during education hours.

I was not only constantly getting in trouble but my grades began to suffer the slightest bit and that's when I knew it was time to stop. I had a lot of moments when we were doing something important and the slackers in class would insist on talking to me and trying to convince me to do a trick so that I was so distracted I couldn't learn.

Like you said, school is for learning, everywhere else is for magic. As a final thought, for those of you who are considering performing in school, just try to imagine the level of satisfaction you have to keep, apart from being distracted all day, the students expect to see something new and if they don't they quickly drop you, drop you like you're hot. So thanks for posting this ptenbob, I'm positive that a lot of people will find this information beneficial.