20+ years full time 200+ schools every year
School Assemblies & Library Shows
Middle School Assemblies
NY · PA · OH · CT · MA · NJ $500 guarantee, never claimed
20+ years full time 200+ schools every year
School Assemblies & Library Shows
Middle School Assemblies
NY · PA · OH · CT · MA · NJ $500 guarantee, never claimed
Fast-paced Halloween magic with a light touch of safety advice underneath it.
Halloween is wonderful because of all the fun, goofy imagery. It stimulates children’s imaginations and gives them something to look forward to — and it does more than that. Halloween helps children with social development and building self-esteem, and it brings us together through parties, games and trick-or-treating.
But with all that fun comes the potential for things to go wrong: stranger danger, hazards from running around in the dark, and more. That is where “Spooky Magic” comes in — a goofy Halloween extravaganza that slips a few important safety reminders in while everybody is laughing.
Free information emailed to you. No obligation, and I never share your details.
This is not a message-heavy Halloween show. Most of my school assembly programs are full of life lessons and curriculum-based concepts. In “Spooky Magic” I deliver them with a much lighter touch, and that is a deliberate decision rather than a shortcut.
This time of year is when the kids have a ton of sugar coursing through their veins. A heavy-handed approach would simply be rejected. So the lessons are lighter, less intense, and land better for it.
It is also a feast for the eyes. Kids love the colorful Halloween set design — the large jack-o’-lantern backdrop, the banners and the haunted house imagery — and there are custom-designed props built specifically for this show. It is the only time of year most of them see the light of day. Or night.
Because Halloween matters so much to kids, the show is customized for your group by both audience size and age range. For younger children the emphasis is on silly, non-frightening fun. For older ones I have fun ‘danger-style’ magic that appeals to more jaded guests.
Every show is different, but these are the moments that come back every year.
A spooky ghost is caught and brought out into the audience, causing everybody to squeal with delight.
A trained “snake” leaps out of a basket to find a selected object. Not a real snake — I promise.
A spider keeps reappearing, causing me to scream in fright and the kids to laugh at my plight. They are merciless.
Children compete against the grown-ups to win free magic tricks. The grown-ups take this far too seriously.
A drawing of Frankenstein’s Monster comes to life in front of the whole room.
A mysterious monster’s EYEBALL floats in mid-air. This is the one they describe at the dinner table.
These are their words, pulled off the feedback forms and emails schools and libraries have sent after the show.
Every name below is a real person at a real building. Hover to stop the row if you want to read one properly.
“Cris Johnson is great and his Spooky Magic show was fabulous! Kids and adults alike laughed and applauded throughout the whole performance. He really gets kids and that is what makes for excellent entertainment. Many parents made a point to ask me to PLEASE have him perform again at our library. Cris is a pleasure to work with. He made it easy by providing all the performance agreements and promotional materials. I can’t wait for his next visit!”
Kathy O’MalleyCoordinator of Children and Family Programs
Olean Public Library
Olean, NY
“This program was fantastic! Crew drew a HUGE crowd and kept their attention the entire time. Great with kids, and his family-friendly program did not disappoint!”
Dan LewandowskiLibrary Director
Dudley Branch Library
Buffalo, NY
“We had Cris Johnson do his Spooky Magic Show. From the moment we contacted him and all throughout the journey he handled every aspect of the event in a professional and friendly way. The children and adults were totally engaged in the show. It was successful in every aspect. We are looking forward to having him for our summer reading program next year!”
Mary FrankLibrarian
Peck Memorial Library
Marathon, NY
“Cris Johnson is a true professional and a performer that I can always count on putting on a terrific show. Cris has been to our library on many occasions and presented to audiences of all age groups. His Spooky Magic and Tales from the Beyond shows are simply amazing – perfect for our tweens and teens. As a matter of fact, they are still talking about Cris’s last show at the library and keep asking me when he will be back. Soon I say – very soon. Money well spent!!”
RoseAnn HaseleyChildren’s Librarian
Lockport Public Library
Lockport, NY
“Cris Johnson is great and his Spooky Magic show was fabulous! Kids and adults alike laughed and applauded throughout the whole performance. He really gets kids and that is what makes for excellent entertainment. Many parents made a point to ask me to PLEASE have him perform again at our library. Cris is a pleasure to work with. He made it easy by providing all the performance agreements and promotional materials. I can’t wait for his next visit!”
Kathy O’MalleyCoordinator of Children and Family Programs
Olean Public Library
Olean, NY
“This program was fantastic! Crew drew a HUGE crowd and kept their attention the entire time. Great with kids, and his family-friendly program did not disappoint!”
Dan LewandowskiLibrary Director
Dudley Branch Library
Buffalo, NY
“We had Cris Johnson do his Spooky Magic Show. From the moment we contacted him and all throughout the journey he handled every aspect of the event in a professional and friendly way. The children and adults were totally engaged in the show. It was successful in every aspect. We are looking forward to having him for our summer reading program next year!”
Mary FrankLibrarian
Peck Memorial Library
Marathon, NY
“Cris Johnson is a true professional and a performer that I can always count on putting on a terrific show. Cris has been to our library on many occasions and presented to audiences of all age groups. His Spooky Magic and Tales from the Beyond shows are simply amazing – perfect for our tweens and teens. As a matter of fact, they are still talking about Cris’s last show at the library and keep asking me when he will be back. Soon I say – very soon. Money well spent!!”
RoseAnn HaseleyChildren’s Librarian
Lockport Public Library
Lockport, NY
“I was very happy––Everyone enjoyed it because it was a great show.”
Jean SlocombeLibrarian
Winton Branch Library
Rochester, NY
“I had a lot of parents come to tell me how much they and their children enjoyed the show. I’ll be sure to recommend you to the other libraries in our area. We’ll definitely have you back!”
Amy HollandChildren’s Librarian
Irondequoit Public Library
Rochester, NY
“Thank you so much, Cris! Everyone had a great time and you delivered a wonderful performance! I was outside directing traffic, but I popped in to catch a few minutes and everyone I spoke to really enjoyed your show (I left a Google review for you). Thank you again! I will be recommending you at the next Youth services meeting with other libraries and we will be in touch for future programs.”
Kristi DoughertyLibrarian
Buffalo & Erie County Public Library System
Amherst Public Libraries
“Great comments from the audience after the show: ‘It was a great show––he’s fantastic!’, ‘We’ve seen him before and he’s great as usual––he’s consistent!’, ‘Thanks for another wonder show!’”
Jean SteinbrennerLibrarian
Pittsford Public Library
Pittsford, NY
“Fantastic show! Our patrons and staff alike were overjoyed to have Cris come to our library! His ‘Spooky Magic’ is highly entertaining, funny, and professional. Highly recommended!”
Jay BaroneLibrarian
Lackawanna Public Library
Lackawanna, NY
“I was very happy––Everyone enjoyed it because it was a great show.”
Jean SlocombeLibrarian
Winton Branch Library
Rochester, NY
“I had a lot of parents come to tell me how much they and their children enjoyed the show. I’ll be sure to recommend you to the other libraries in our area. We’ll definitely have you back!”
Amy HollandChildren’s Librarian
Irondequoit Public Library
Rochester, NY
“Thank you so much, Cris! Everyone had a great time and you delivered a wonderful performance! I was outside directing traffic, but I popped in to catch a few minutes and everyone I spoke to really enjoyed your show (I left a Google review for you). Thank you again! I will be recommending you at the next Youth services meeting with other libraries and we will be in touch for future programs.”
Kristi DoughertyLibrarian
Buffalo & Erie County Public Library System
Amherst Public Libraries
“Great comments from the audience after the show: ‘It was a great show––he’s fantastic!’, ‘We’ve seen him before and he’s great as usual––he’s consistent!’, ‘Thanks for another wonder show!’”
Jean SteinbrennerLibrarian
Pittsford Public Library
Pittsford, NY
“Fantastic show! Our patrons and staff alike were overjoyed to have Cris come to our library! His ‘Spooky Magic’ is highly entertaining, funny, and professional. Highly recommended!”
Jay BaroneLibrarian
Lackawanna Public Library
Lackawanna, NY
“Cris did a great job with our assemblies! His presentation was developmentally appropriate and his message was delivered in a fun way. Outstanding message!”
Bonnie SmithPrincipal
West Valley Central School
West Valley, NY
“Cris really understands young children and their humor. He has a nice rapport and all of his material was age appropriate. This is the Best I’ve seen! Excellent!”
David LivingstonPrincipal
Lewiston-Porter School
Lewiston, NY
“This is a fast paced, lively production perfect for the elementary audiences. Cris went out of his way to involve all of the audience. His message was clear and he modeled good character through his use of humor and politeness. Outstanding!”
Scott WrightPrincipal
Kendal Elementary School
Kendal, NY
“It was engaging, informative, extremely well done and a lot of fun. He kept the kids attention for 40 minutes…No easy task! I laughed as hard as the kids!”
Donna BensteadTeacher
Springville Elementary
Springville, New York
“Thank you so much for a WONDERFUL assembly! The kids (and teachers) can’t stop talking about it!”
Mary NenningerJohn XXIII Elementary
Middletown, OH
“Cris did a great job with our assemblies! His presentation was developmentally appropriate and his message was delivered in a fun way. Outstanding message!”
Bonnie SmithPrincipal
West Valley Central School
West Valley, NY
“Cris really understands young children and their humor. He has a nice rapport and all of his material was age appropriate. This is the Best I’ve seen! Excellent!”
David LivingstonPrincipal
Lewiston-Porter School
Lewiston, NY
“This is a fast paced, lively production perfect for the elementary audiences. Cris went out of his way to involve all of the audience. His message was clear and he modeled good character through his use of humor and politeness. Outstanding!”
Scott WrightPrincipal
Kendal Elementary School
Kendal, NY
“It was engaging, informative, extremely well done and a lot of fun. He kept the kids attention for 40 minutes…No easy task! I laughed as hard as the kids!”
Donna BensteadTeacher
Springville Elementary
Springville, New York
“Thank you so much for a WONDERFUL assembly! The kids (and teachers) can’t stop talking about it!”
Mary NenningerJohn XXIII Elementary
Middletown, OH
As with all of my school assembly programs, “Spooky Magic” comes in two versions — one written for the primary grades, typically K-2, and one for the intermediate grades, typically 3-5. My school clients really appreciate this, and here is why it matters.
Having different versions of any school assembly is the best way to make sure the kids get a show on their level. Younger students never get lost, and older students never sit there with that “I cannot believe I have to sit through this” look on their faces.
For the primary grades everything leans silly rather than spooky — the ghost is funny, the spider is my problem rather than theirs, and nothing chases anybody.
For upper elementary I bring out the ‘danger-style’ magic and let the scares have a little more edge, which is exactly what an audience that has decided it is too old for Halloween wants.
Schools with larger enrollments should book two programs. Splitting a full-range building into, say, one K-2 assembly and one for grades 3-5 lets me customize the language, the magic, the objectives and the vocabulary for each group. It is the single easiest way to make an assembly land with every child in your school.
You have enough to do. Booking an assembly should not add to it — so here is exactly what I bring, what I need from you, and what happens on the day.
My own state-of-the-art sound system, microphone, tables, props, and the full-color backdrop and banners that make the room look like a real production. There is nothing for you to arrange, rent or borrow.
Gym, cafeteria, multi-purpose room, auditorium, library, stage or floor. This is an act that can be performed almost anywhere, and it can be adjusted for groups from 10 students to 350.
Set-up is fast and strike is faster, so your space is free for the next class and your schedule does not have to bend around me.
If you have a full K-5 building, book two. You get language, vocabulary and magic pitched at each age group instead of a compromise aimed somewhere in the middle.
I have developed a technique to settle the students at the end of the assembly so teachers can move their classes back to their rooms calmly. No other school assembly performer does this, and teachers love it. Read the reviews on this page — they keep mentioning it.
A printable hallway flyer to build anticipation before I arrive, plus follow-up materials and morning announcements so the “Spooky Magic” message keeps working after the gym empties.
In short: if you do not think I delivered amazing lessons and messages to your students in a fun, interactive, entertaining manner, not only will I cheerfully refund your check — I will also donate $500 to your school’s PTA or PTO.
After more than 20 years of doing this full time, in 38 states, no one has ever requested a refund. Not once. What happens instead is that schools book me again the following year, and then the year after that, usually with a different topic.
I can make that offer because of the feedback on this page. Read it. Then decide whether “Spooky Magic” belongs on your calendar this year.
A principal, a counselor, a PTO chair and a media specialist are each asking a different question about the same 45 minutes. So I wrote each of you your own letter about what “Spooky Magic” does for the part of the building you are responsible for.
I hear this every week, and it is almost never the end of the conversation. Two things help.
The first is my free School Assembly Fund Finder. You tell it your state, your school level and roughly what you need, and it hands back a tailored list of grants, Title I and IV-A routes, fundraisers, sponsorships and platforms that other schools have actually used. No email required to see the results.
The second is my free-assembly page. There are three genuine routes on it, and the important part is that I do the legwork — you are not being asked to go recruit other schools. Have a look, then tell me which one fits your building and I will make the calls.
Most schools that bring me in once bring me back with a different topic the following year. Twelve assembly topics, and every one of them is built the same way.
The holiday show, in three sizes — including Santa arriving by satellite.
Holiday & funA winter show with no holiday or religious content at all. Popular with libraries for exactly that reason.
Holiday & funThe just-for-fun show, and the easiest fundraiser your PTO will ever run.
Science & STEMForensics for elementary students — a natural October booking for a mystery-minded school.
Library programsThe full list of what I bring to public libraries, all year round.
Character educationRespect, responsibility and perseverance, taught with magic and a memory hook.
“Spooky Magic” is the show that makes October feel like an event at your school or library — without giving anybody nightmares.
The month of October fills up every year, and I have to turn away several clients every season. If you want a date in October, ask early. It is the one show where waiting genuinely costs you the date.
Below is my current performing schedule. Any date not listed is still open. And contact me even if a date looks booked — I can often help, either by juggling my schedule or with a free referral to a top-notch act.
Would rather just talk it through? Call me at (716) 940-8963
That is my cell phone, and it is genuinely me who answers it. 9 to 5, daily.
Fill this out and the Halloween show details land in your inbox straight away — not a generic brochure about everything I do.
Not very, and that is the point. There are safe, silly scares — a ghost, a spider, a floating eyeball — and the joke is almost always on me rather than on the children. I adjust it by age: for the little ones it is pure silliness.
Yes, and libraries are a large part of my October. There is a version built for smaller spaces, and if your event is in a school for several hundred people I bring out the bigger set design, the state-of-the-art PA system and the larger props.
Earlier than you think. October fills every single year and I turn away several clients and events every season. If you want a date in October, ask now — and if the date you want looks taken, ask anyway, because I can sometimes juggle or refer you to someone good.
Forty-five minutes, and it is a full 45 minutes — fast paced from the first minute so nobody has time to drift. Set-up and strike are quick, so your space is not tied up for the morning.
Kindergarten through fifth grade, in two versions: one for the primary grades and one for the intermediate grades. If you have a full K-5 building, book both back to back — it is the best way to make sure every child gets a show pitched at them.
A room and an electrical outlet. That is genuinely it. I bring my own sound system, microphone, tables, props, backdrop and banners, and I set up and break down myself so your staff can concentrate on moving classes.
Up to about 350 in one sitting. Above that, two programs works far better than one enormous one — and it lets me split the show by grade level, which makes it stronger anyway.
I am based in Niagara Falls, New York, and I regularly perform in New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Jersey. I have performed in 38 states over the years, so if you are outside that list it is still worth asking.
Sooner than you think. The popular weeks go first, and my current performing schedule is on the site — any date not listed there is still open. If a date looks taken, ask anyway: I can often juggle things, or refer you to someone good.
From school gyms to library community rooms across New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Jersey, “Spooky Magic” is the show that makes October feel like an occasion — and sends everyone home in one piece.
October dates go first, and they go early. If you are thinking about it, say so now.
Cris Johnson’s Amazing School Assemblies · Niagara Falls, NY · (716) 940-8963
Serving New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Connecticut, Massachusetts & New Jersey
Cris Johnson's Amazing School Assemblies · Niagara Falls, NY ·
(716) 940-8963
Serving New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Connecticut, Massachusetts & New Jersey