Something New
When you first go out on stage, how do you handle the introductions? Sometimes someone will introduce you to the audience. Then you can go out and say a few words, then say something like “I know you did not come to hear me, so let me introduce you to my little friend __________ “.
If you do not have anyone who will introduce you to the audience, then you still have a couple of options. You can go out on the stage area and say something like “Hi, I am ____________ and I am thrilled to be here with you today. I hope everyone is here for a good time and we will all try to enjoy the time we have together.”
Another option that you have if nobody introduces you is to go out on the stage and quickly put on a puppet (always behind the lid of a trunk) and the puppet can come up and say “Hi, my name is (puppets name).” You can then use a variety of different techniques for talking to the audience.
The puppet can play the smart aleck and say things like, “I did not want to come here tonight but someone told me that there were going to be a lot of great looking women here”. After going on for a while, the puppet can then (almost as an after thought) say something like “Oh and this (guy or gal) who is hanging around with me is ____________ (your name).
There are specific reasons why this is important. First and foremost is that it is important that the audience learn your name. This is critical because you want them to remember you so when they hear or see your name again, they will associate your name with having heard a great performance and they will want to come back and see you again. Just as important is that they hear the name(s) of your puppets for the same reason.
This is how you begin to build a reputation and get a following of fans who come back to see you any time you are in the area.
We will talk again next week,
Steve and JET