Bruce

"Different flowers are beautiful to different people." - Chinese Proverb

We all have different preferences, likes, and dislikes. I try to remember not to impose my taste upon others.

There are many possible styles of clowning, magic, and music. There are many possible styles of music. I definitely prefer some styles to others. However, I know that I shouldn't force my preferences upon others. Just because I don't care for an act does not mean that there are not others who love it. That is one reason why I don't make a negative comment about an act I've seen where others can overhear me. If somebody asks my opinion about an act, I'll wait until we can discuss it in private. I don't want to infringe upon the enjoyment somebody else may have gotten from a performance that fit their preferences.

I find that frame of mind helps me be more appreciative of other entertainers. I can enjoy their skill even if I don't enjoy their style of performance. I am able to say, "I normally don't care for that kind of act, but it was very well done."

The variety of preferences by audience members is why I include a variety of material within my show. If somebody doesn't like something, hopefully there will be something else that they like. For example, I do a three-ball juggling routine. Then I hold up a sign asking if they would like me to juggle with 4. Next I juggle with two balls and a large cut out numeral 4. Hopefully if somebody didn't like the juggling, they will enjoy the pun. Then I do actually juggle four balls in a brief routine. Then I perform a magic effect. Hopefully if somebody doesn't think juggling is beautiful, they will think the magic is beautiful. Then I might do an audience participation routine, followed by some trick cartoons, followed by a comedy magic effect, followed by a three-club juggling routine, and then maybe a straight magic effect. By varying the types of routines and keeping them short each person will see something they enjoy without having to wait too long. The longer the show is, the more variety I try to add to it. I often do a thirty-minute act without speaking, but if an act is longer than that I generally include at least one verbal routine. To use the metaphor from the opening quote, I look at my performances as a garden and try to plant as many different types of flowers as possible. That way as many the greatest number of people will find a flower that they like. Then like a florist I try to arrange the flowers in the most pleasing way when I create each bouquet.

When I perform in a show with other entertainers, I try to do something that will be different from the others to increase the variety within the show. If I am in a show made up of magic acts I'll concentrate on juggling routines. When I appeared in the Comedifest Staff show a month ago I knew there were several people in the show who were jugglers, so I concentrated on performing magic routines. By adding more variety it helps the entire show be more successful.

When I am in a variety show I don't try to be the best act in the show. I know that is an impossible goal. Different acts will appeal to people who prefer that type of act. So, I concentrate on being the best I can be of the type of act that I perform. Then people who like my kind of act will really enjoy what I performed. Those who don't like my kind of act won't be satisfied any way. Hopefully they will like one of the other acts in the show that is a different style. If each person in the show tries to be the best they can at the type of act they perform, the entire show will succeed.

How many different flowers have you planted in your variety arts garden? How can you arrange them into the most pleasing bouquets? How can keeping in mind that different styles appeal to different portions of the audience affect your relationships with other entertainers?