Some general questions about stuff...

[Lord Magic]

There are 2 questions I have right here...
How do you get rid of lapped objects?
Like, what are the practical ways to do it? I have never lapped before because am kinda nervous abt the fact that they will definitely look over the table to check, sooner or later...so what do I do to avoid being visually nervous? So that it is NOT clearly obvious that am trying to get rid of something?

Next, how do you react when an audience member figures the basic method out?
I usually would just say "Interesting theory" and then see where that gets me...like, see if I can apply their theory (which was correct btw) as a way of presenting something else. But some talk about just admitting to the audience that "Hey! You caught me...I should prolly practice this one...you've got sharp eyes! See if this one pleases you" in a very non-arrogant way that doesn't challenge the audience...sometimes even if the suggested theory is WRONG. I have never done that, because I usually become slightly defensive when people catch me out even a bit (although I say NOTHING verbally, am not that stupid ). So I never tried that. What do you guys think? What do you guys do when
a> audience figures out the method correctly
b> audience figures out the method incorrectly

 

[WitchDocIsIn]

There are 2 questions I have right here...
How do you get rid of lapped objects?
Like, what are the practical ways to do it? I have never lapped before because am kinda nervous abt the fact that they will definitely look over the table to check, sooner or later...so what do I do to avoid being visually nervous? So that it is NOT clearly obvious that am trying to get rid of something?

When no one is looking, you ditch it somewhere. No one should be leaning over the table to look in your lap - control the performance space. Audience Control 101 right there.

You can use a servant under the table, if it's a prepared performance. A servant is basically a bag you can ditch things in. They vary in complexity - some are literally just a sack, some have compartments and stuff.

If it's an impromptu kind of thing, you need to find/create a moment where the audience's focus is up on the table surface or whatever, or they're laughing, and just move the object somewhere better. This is something that generally comes with practice/performance experience.

Next, how do you react when an audience member figures the basic method out?
I usually would just say "Interesting theory" and then see where that gets me...like, see if I can apply their theory (which was correct btw) as a way of presenting something else. But some talk about just admitting to the audience that "Hey! You caught me...I should prolly practice this one...you've got sharp eyes! See if this one pleases you" in a very non-arrogant way that doesn't challenge the audience...sometimes even if the suggested theory is WRONG. I have never done that, because I usually become slightly defensive when people catch me out even a bit (although I say NOTHING verbally, am not that stupid ). So I never tried that. What do you guys think? What do you guys do when
a> audience figures out the method correctly
b> audience figures out the method incorrectly

What you do during a performance comes from your character. How would your character react to that? I generally ignore outbursts, but also, I can't remember the last time someone tried to guess a method. It just doesn't happen when the audience is engaged in the performance.

So that leads to the important part - if people are guessing at your methods, that's when you should examine your performance/script and see why they feel like that is how the performance should go. In other words, what are you saying or doing that is telling them, "Your job is to figure out how I'm doing this."

 

[RealityOne]

What @ChristopherT said. Word for word.