How to Get Gigs at School Assemblies

Last updated on September 11, 2024

In the hearts and hopes of every school kid’s life are two words that strike against the ongoing grind and routine of the academic day: School Assembly. When those words break through the teacher’s lips, kids know they can look forward to an upcoming hour of fun, laughter, or inspiration. Professional speaker and leadership consultant, Houston Kraft, shared a few things he’s learned in his experience with over 500 schools, conferences, and international events. Whether you’re a magician, motivational speaker, or musician, these tips will help you know how to get booked for school assemblies and diversify your gigs.

🏫 Why Gig at Schools

Gigs at schools are rewarding, providing you with a chance to inspire young minds and make a lasting impact on students’ lives. They’re also practical and offer you a unique chance for off-season gigs and refining your skills, all while building a positive reputation within the community.

Make a difference

Assemblies make a difference in the lives of students. Studies prove that the interaction of education and the arts leads to higher test scores and retention of learning over time. It also develops the skills necessary to navigate the increasing demand in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) fields. Beyond academics, assemblies can inspire personal growth, boost confidence, and foster a sense of community among students.

Increase offseason opportunities

Getting gigs as a school assembly performer is a great way to keep the income going in the offseason when bookings are slim and the clients are few. Most assemblies are going to be during the school day, so you can rock out with some great educational numbers in the morning and your awesome Steely Dan covers at night!

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Refine your skills

School assemblies also provide an opportunity to refine your performance skills. If you’re a musician, you’ll learn the tricks to get them on their feet while singing about kindness. If you’re an inspirational speaker, you can discover how to dial in your presentation on bullying to motivate and encourage. Magicians can try out new illusions to include in their acts. Kids and teens are an incredible combination of a discerning and responsive audience. They’ll quickly let you know what works and what doesn’t.

🧑‍🎓 What Students Want

Captivating a school audience takes more than just showing up with a great act — it requires a deep understanding of what resonates with young minds. To truly connect and leave a lasting impact, your performance must be engaging, authentic, and relevant to the student’s world.

Engaging entertainment

Some performers make the mistake of dismissing the sophistication of a school audience. Don’t. Kids and teens can provide some of the most profound and heartfelt cheers, tears, and laughter an entertainer could want. Naturally, the content must be age-appropriate, but that doesn’t mean it has to be watered down or overly simplified. Challenge their minds, spark their imaginations, and respect their intelligence.

Authenticity and passion

It is easy to assume that students want only an entertaining or exciting presentation, but they also need to know that you, as a performer, genuinely care for them and that you are passionate about what you do. Young people can detect inauthenticity a mile away, so stay true to yourself and your talents. Be authentic, trust your act, and ensure your confidence and composure always show through.

🎈 Read expert insights by a professional: How to Become a Successful Children’s Party Entertainer

Relevant content

Students want something that is relevant to them. This doesn’t mean relying on the latest slang. Instead, it’s about creating engaging content that connects with students’ interests, experiences, and current cultural or educational trends. As with any performance, your material must be meaningful and applicable to the audience’s lives.

🧑‍🏫 What Educators Want

Booking school assemblies isn’t just about securing a time slot — it’s about building relationships and delivering value that goes beyond the performance itself. From thorough preparation to providing additional resources, these tips will help you make a lasting impression and keep those bookings rolling in.

Proper preparation

Houston has worked with over 500 schools all over the country, speaking to thousands of kids and educators. He feels the most critical skills to develop when working with schools are empathy and adaptability. “It’s important to show up very prepared and be willing to give more than you were contracted for.” Be flexible and easy to work with. Administrators are a highly networked community, and a good reputation will lead to future bookings.

Go the extra mile

Educators and faculty are notoriously overscheduled and underfunded. Academic and classroom resources are scarce, and teachers or administrators won’t have the opportunity to create extra content or materials for your event. For Houston, this is the number one rule: “Anything you can create or provide or share with a school that brings them value before, during, or after your speech helps to set you apart from anyone else that can fill an hour or two.”

🔁 Pro Tip: 7 Avoidable Mistakes That Can Cost You Gigs

Support school goals

It is important to remember that your key goals as an assembly presenter are to reinforce and enhance what is happening every day in the classroom. Take time to research and discover social and educational trends teachers are addressing, and consider how you can incorporate these themes into your existing act.

Here are a few current topics that many schools are addressing:

• Anti-Bullying
• STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)
• Kindness
• Diversity
• Self-esteem

Magicians and Illusionists can explore the magic of chemistry and physics for a STEM assembly. Inspirational speakers reinforce the value of diversity and self-esteem. Singer/songwriters might consider writing new songs to teach students about the impact of kindness.

🤝 How to Connect

Booking a school assembly requires more than just a great performance—it starts with thoughtful preparation and research. By crafting a compelling presentation, understanding your local schools, and connecting with the right decision-makers, you’ll set yourself up for success in securing gigs that make a real impact.

Research local schools

The first step to connecting with the right school channels is researching your local schools. Depending on your performance style, you’ll want to focus on certain grade levels and contact the appropriate schools. Make a list of local schools and explore their missions and curricula.

You’ll also want to investigate attending educational trade shows and conferences. The Trade Show Network is an exceptional tool for finding these types of gigs and making the appropriate contacts.

Create your material

Before contacting a school, create a polished presentation of your assembly program. Include a detailed outline, key takeaways, and how your content aligns with the school’s goals or curriculum. Highlight interactive elements, special features, and unique aspects that will engage students. Incorporate testimonials, past successes, and relevant experience to demonstrate your value to administrators.

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Make a connection 

Before contacting a school, lead with a phone call to the local school district to see how school assemblies are booked. The superintendent, individual principals, or even student councils may decide. From there, send an email introducing yourself and providing your presentation.

Consider providing posters for the school to post throughout the campus or a video that teachers can use to create buzz and anticipation for your event. If you have a strong online presence, ensure your social media accounts are updated and ready to be shared. Beyond promotion, Kraft suggests other tools such as parent resources, pre-event activities, and follow-up questions for the classroom.

Some entertainers find performing for kids or teens intimidating. Those who can break through that barrier find incredible fulfillment in impacting the lives of students. If you’re ready to embrace the challenges and joys of school shows and assemblies, you’ll soon discover the opportunities for growth and impact. So, sharpen your act, start reaching out, and get ready to have some fun! 🏫😁