Weird & Bizarre YA/Teen Magic Show Reading Program
Reaching YAs and teens in a library is tough. They are too old for most children’s programming. They usually aren’t mature enough for most adult programs. But with the right show, YAs ad teens will gobble up library content faster than you can say ‘phobia.’
And that’s what my newest YA/Teen show is about. Phobias. Fears. Those things that remind us of our mortality. Those things that make us want to run away as fast as we can.
This show is called “FEAR.” It tackles over a DOZEN common and well-known fears and phobias. I’ll cover what causes phobias, how they get worse over time, and even how to get rid of phobias.
Some of the fears covered include:
Spiders, Snakes, Needles, Death, Ghosts, and Clowns are just a few of the deepest darkest fears covered in “FEAR.”
(PLEASE NOTE: There are NO live animals in this show and no one is ever put in harm’s way.)
But this is not just a psychological lecture. No, to captivate YAs and teens, this show uses strange, Bizarre, eerie, and downright frightening magic and mind reading!
Here’s A Sample Of What Your YA/Teen Patrons Will Experience:
- A simple card trick unleashes an unexpected visitor…on a volunteer’s hand!
- A bucket filled with muddy water hides a secret terror!
- An old comic book believed to drive children mad gives one volunteer an amazing power
- A secretly-chosen fear is suddenly broadcast to every cell phone in the room!
- Needles, thread, water…and the performer’s mouth. What could possibly go wrong?
- A malevolent spirit inside a ‘Hand of Glory’ reveals the hidden location of a selected object
- A video of a clown recorded days prior has a disturbing message for one volunteer
- And much more…
“FEAR” encourages guests to explore these and other phobias further in the non-fiction sections of your library. The result? More reading, more checked-out books, and more engaged YAs and teens in your library.
Here are some key features of this fun-filed YA/teen library program:
- A running time of 50-60 minutes
- Geared for ages 11 to 17!
- Poster and customized press release available to publicize the event!
- State-Of-The-Art Sound System included for larger groups at no additional fee!
- Highly interactive spooky fun
- Unusual props, creepy decorations
- Gross, surprising, and scary magic perfect for modern teens
- Fast set-up
- No deposits
Call me at (716) 940-8963 (that’s my cell phone) or email me at [email protected] for more information or to book your preferred date.
“Fantastic program! One of the BEST young adult programs we have ever had at the Sully Branch Library. ALL of the teens were extremely engaged and fascinated with Cris’ combination of storytelling, historical knowledge, and unique set of artifacts. Not only did our teens have fun, they learned a lot of important historical and cultural facts. Every teen who attended the program wants Cris to come back as soon as possible! The teens really enjoyed the stories and artifacts relating to voodoo, the Titanic, Lizzie, Borden, and many others.”
Tim Ryan, Young Adult Services Librarian
Sully Branch Library
Rochester, NY
“The guests really enjoyed the whole show–the stories, the paranormal coincidences, the presentation, and the presenter! Cris was great to work with, very professional and personable. I liked that he plugged librarians and books! I’d recommend his show to any libraries–and will! I hope we can have him back again soon.”
Tina Dalton, Youth Services Librarian
Cuba Circulating Library
Cuba, NY
“The tweens and teens definitely thought the act was creepy and cool! This show featured a lot of historical mysteries that a lot of kids did not already know, so they got a LOT out of it! The kids LOVED the creepy artifacts and the Reanimator was a big hit!”
Merrie Haumann, Library Staff Member
Ahira Hall Memorial Library
Brocton, NY
“I loved the Reanimator! This was creepy fun!”
Larry Schultz, Library Staff Member
Hulbert Library of the Town of Concord
Springville, NY
“The teens enjoyed the weaving of historic accounts in with the illusions! Very entertaining and good visual program use of the artifacts!”
Lynda Page
West Elmira Library
Elmira, NY
“Our show was AWESOME! My group had such a great time listening to and participating with all the different stories. A guaranteed awesome, spooky time! Highly recommended!”
Katie Smith, Teen Services Librarian
Wood Library
Canandaigua, NY
“Cris is a great story teller! The artifacts he brought were great, and we loved the history behind the artifacts.”
Kimberely Graham, Librarian
Wimodaughsian Free Library of Canisteo
Canisteo, NY
“WOW! Totally awesome show–our audience was blown away! Also learned quite a bit about some historical facts. I recommend for libraries to have Cris Johnson come and present a show.”
Kate Puehn, Librarian
Elma Library
Elma, NY