Tips   

Joey Jordan Shares Wisdom From Pros He's Known

 

I would like to share with you helpful tips I have either discovered the hard way or picked up from other performers.

 

Many people have been helpful to my career. Bobby May once wrote a letter diagramming his complete routine, music and all. He mentioned the importance of routining in performing, emphasizing that "every act must have a big start and bigger finish."

 

Lou Folds, former skating juggler, sat up many evenings with me telling stories of his years in the business and how he, Francis Brunn and Rudy Cardenas used to practice together in New York City. He made me realize the importance of a gimmick in an act - something different to catch the audience's attention. Folds' was to pull all his props from an opera cape which he wore throughout his act.

 

Francis Brunn told me that putting cola on the bottoms of my dance shoes would help in case of a slippery stage. Ernest Montego taught me to work out in front of a flood spot light to become accustomed to working in club conditions. Albert Lucas showed me his secret for fighting cracked and chapped hands - taping his fingers and soaking his hands nightly in melted cocoa butter. Dick Franco mentioned that a self-given neck massage before the act helps avoid cramps and upper back aches. I find it helpful to do relaxation breathing exercises to clear my mind before an act, and to use baby powder to avoid sticky hands.

 

Lastly, I find that too much practice is as bad as too little, because the stress of boredom is never beneficial. You must enjoy what you do. The key to success is finding a medium between being patient and wasting time.

 

My final words of wisdom for the aspiring performer are - if you're talented enough to get the job, you're talented enough to get the fair amount of pay! Happy juggling!