There was an act at a fair that I performed at last summer that couldn’t pull a crowd. Like zero people, aside from someone in the act’s parent. I’m not going to talk bad about the act, because that’s not what this post is about. This post is about what works and doesn’t work at a fair or show with a transient audience.
Let’s start with some basic info about what they did. They were a long form theater show that normally tours middle and high schools with an anti-cyberbullying message.
In theory, that sounds fine until you get to the reality of it at the fair.
A 45 minute show is really long for a fair, and since people will stumble upon your show, if they can’t figure out what’s happening within a minute or two, they won’t stay. A long form show like this will have a hard time building from its initial crowd. A show full of shorter things works better. A magic show built on routines works better, as the late arriving group can quickly get up to speed with what is happening.
The content of their show is kinda rough for a fair. You go to the fair to pet cows or ride the rides, not to learn about cyberbullying. Ask any family at the fair if they want to see a baby pig or to watch a 45 minute show about cyberbullying; I’m going to guess that 99% will say they want to see the baby pig.
Then they made a few choices that were interesting. They did the show on the floor, not the stage. The height of the stage gives you importance and unless you have an audience there, it doesn’t really look like a show is going on if you’re walking by.
Then they didn’t use microphones. I have a little inside information, but basically they didn’t “advance” their show and let the sound company know what they needed, so the sound company didn’t have them. This is an important part of performing at fairs, letting the sound company know what you need!
If you want to work fairs, look at your show and think about two things:
1: How would you engage a transient audience?
2: If you show is themed, is that what people attending a fair want to see?
With those two things in mind, you’re off to a good start!
-Louie