When performing on the street, I realized that I could make people laugh the whole show, but if I made them clap more, I would get more money.
Some theories on this phenomenon…
- people thought if they clapped more they saw better stuff
- it was a way of getting feelings engaged in the body
- when you support something, you fall in love with it
- the cue and response cycle of doing something and getting applause was rewarding
A lot of times entertainers think “they clapped because they had fun” but when I’m in a more helpful mindset, I think, “how can I get them to clap so that they have fun?”
Obviously you don’t want to tell people over and over to clap…
… but there are a million ways to give the crowd signals even when they’re not having fun.
I think they all kind of apply, but 4th is the strongest reason to work on getting more applause. I want entertainers to be leaders and guide the audience through every show.