Photo by terriseesthings’ via Flickr
For many people, making the shift from hobby juggler to performing can be daunting. Dubé Juggling Blog has got your back.
-Music selection matters! Pick a song that matches your style and personality. Super serious technical juggler? Pick something that reflects that.
-Once you select a piece of music, practice juggling to that music. Get comfortable with the rhythm and timing. Try different tricks to see what works and what doesn’t.
-STOP AND STYLE! It is important to connect with the audience. Some jugglers are so focused that they never establish a connection. Make sure to stop and style a number of times throughout the routine. When you stop and style, you give the audience permission to applaud. Try to time your styles to climactic moments in the song.
-Your clothing matters! Is your style goofy and fun-loving? Bright colors should work well. Is your style more Cirque du Soleil? Simpler more natural colors should do the trick.
-Think about what color your props are. Black props do not read well on stage. If you wear a white shirt you should not juggle white balls. If possible, select props that compliment your clothing.
-Drops happen. It’s a fact of life. Anthony Gatto drops. Jason Garfield drops. You drop. Be prepared for this eventuality. Pick up the prop, smile, and get back to work. Never show the audience your frustration!
-You might love siteswaps, but your audience doesn’t understand what they are. Just because a trick is hard, doesn’t mean that audience understands that. This is why the eat-the-apple trick is so popular–people get it!
-The end of your act is the part people will remember best. Your final trick should be flashy and impressive, but not so difficult that you can’t land it. There’s nothing worse than dropping on your final trick.
