How To Set Up A Hypnotist Show
How To Set Up Your Comedy Hypnotist Show
I’ve been performing comedy hypnotist shows for 17 years. During that time, I’ve hypnotized folks in large theatres, banquet rooms, gymnasiums, back yard lawns, restaurants, and just about every type of venue imaginable. Something I’ve learned is that the set-up of a hypnosis show has tons to do with how well the show goes. So on this page I am going to show you how to set up your hypnotist show in a safe and effective way.All you need is…
A Sound System
20-30 Chairs
A Group Of Eager Volunteers
I. LIGHTING
We’ll start with the simple part – Lighting. Of course we need lights for a show, but to be honest, lighting is one of the areas of least concern for a show. Unless on a formal stage the option is usually off or on. I move around a lot during his presentation and am constantly interacting with the audience. So, I’ve found it works best if you leave the full house lights on during the program. Besides, studies show that your group will remember more and laugh more in the brightness.
II. STAGE
You will need to provide an adequate stage or space for this special type of performance. Don’t worry, one of the great things about hypnosis is that it can be performed almost anywhere. The two important things are safety and space. Please have at lease, a 16′ x 28′ space, big enough to fit at least 20-30 chairs across the stage – one row. The bigger the stage the better. Also, the bigger the stage, the more chairs (and volunteers) that can be included in the hypnosis demonstration. And YES, a school gymnasium will be just fine. A cement or concrete performing area is never a safe choice.
Riser Stage At University of Maryland
Outdoor Stage At Lane County Fair
Yes – A gym floor works GREAT!
Remember:
You (the client) will assume all responsibility for the safety of the riser or stage area, steps to the stage, and the chairs to be used during the performance. Please make sure all equipment is good condition. With so many audience participants, we do not want to take a chance of an injury.
III. AUDIO
I’ll need a sound system equipped with a hand-held WIRELESS microphone.
Always use a wireless microphone for your hypnotist show – cords are a potential hazard for tripping and make it difficult to move around a stage full of volunteers.
I will also bring an digital MP3 player with my music to plug into your sound system. Please make sure that your system has the option of plugging in an iPod or an XLR input jack. Unless you are using a DJ or Sound Tech, I will handle all my own music so I need to be able to easily reach my player from the stage.
A Sound System
Hand Held Wireless Microphone
Corded Microphones Are A Hazard.
** It is important that the volunteers can hear my voice from where they will be seated in the chairs on the stage. If they can’t hear me… they don’t get hypnotized. In the case of a deep stage or a noisy environment like a fair or festival, use a monitor, pointed back toward the volunteers to allow easy listening to relax and enter hypnosis.
In any case, remember that good sound is crucial to the success of your program. If your sound system and microphone are not adequate, borrow or rent quality equipment. Please check these requirements with your sound tech or feel free to have the sound tech call me at 971-241-3879 for further assistance.
IV. SAFETY TIPS
Hypnosis itself is 100% SAFE. However, managing 20-30 people, even when they’re not hypnotized, can even be a feat. That’s why the safety of your guests will always be the #1 priority of my show! Here’s my promise to you:
• I will always aim to arrive 30-60 minutes before your show to inspect the chairs and stage area..
• I will include a safety portion of my intro talk instructing potential volunteers to get rid of pencils, pens, keys, gum, etc. from their person before coming on stage.
• Injured, pregnant, or seemingly unstable volunteers are always dismissed.
• No dangerous suggestions will ever be asked of the volunteers.
• At the end of the show, all volunteers will be wide awake and back to ‘normal’, yet energized and refreshed from relaxing feeling that comes with being hypnotized.
• I am fully insured to protect himself and you (his client). At no extra cost, a copy of my insurance can be issued with your event, school, or organization as ‘additional insured’ upon request.
HYPNOSIS SAFETY TIP #1: Sweep and inspect performance area.
Sweep the stage or floor around performance area and check for nails, rocks, tacks, broken glass, liquid spills, or any other hazards. Hypnotized subjects may slide out of their chairs or end up on the stage area floor. It’s never fun to get poked by a sharp object or wake up covered in dirt from a filthy stage.
HYPNOSIS SAFETY TIP #2: Remove the podium/tables or other stage hazards.
If using a podium before or after the performance, please position podium to the far ‘stage’ right of stage or remove completely. If there is an Orchestra Pit in front of your stage, make sure it’s covered.
HYPNOSIS SAFETY TIP #3: Help the hypnotist keep your volunteers safe.
Keeping an eye on a large number of hypnotized subjects can be a difficult task. Plus, you likely know your audience members better than I do. Despite my safety instructions at the beginning of the show, some people ignore my words and volunteer anyways. If you see someone ignore these warnings and come on stage anyways or if you see a danger I do not – by all means… intervene! If possible assign someone who will stay close to the stage to be my extra set of eyes.
HYPNOSIS SAFETY TIP #4: Tape down any loose electrical, microphone, and speaker cables.
When I asked my insurance company what is the number one reason why people get injured on any stage, they replied that it was injury by unsecured cords. So, please make sure all extension cords, wires, or cables are taped down to avoid volunteers tripping. Also, if someone trips over your cable it may damage the cord and/or your expensive sound equipment.** I recommend ‘Gaffers Tape’ over Duct Tape. It’s strong and doesn’t leave the sticky residue.
HYPNOSIS SAFETY TIP #5:Inspect the condition of the chairs.
Make sure that the chairs that will be used for volunteers are in good condition. As an extra precaution, secure the chairs with Gaffers Tape. Volunteers often slide out of their chairs. Tapping the chairs as illustrated below will ensure volunteers don’t slide in between chairs, or the chair doesn’t fall on top of them.
For optimal safety, use Gaffers Tape to secure your chairs together.
This will prevent chairs falling over as some hypnotized people tend to slide out of their chairs.
I’ve used red arrows to show you where I’ve placed tape on the chairs.
Here’s a view from the back:
V. RECORDING POLICY
I retain all commercial rights to my likeness and recorded video or audio of my performances. Audio or video recording of a presentation is allowed for ‘in house’ use within your school or organization only. Any other use, including selling or distributing video of one of my performances is strictly prohibited without prior written consent. Thank you for complying with this request.