Sometimes, finding a location to perform living statue isn't as easy as going downtown and picking a street corner. Research the area and find out what kind of busking or street performance laws the city has. Talk to other street performers in the area if you can. You may need to get a permit or audition before you can perform in some places. Research whether it is ok to put out a tip jar; some cities consider it soliciting, and the police will ask you to leave.
Visit your location beforehand, and know when the busiest hours for foot traffic (your best performing hours) are. If there are businesses or restaurants nearby, it may be necessary to ask the owner ahead of time if it's all right for you to perform outside. You should also be aware of the courtesy code between street performers if there are others in the area, and use common sense when picking a location (don't perform in sketchy neighborhoods, don't stand in direct sunlight on a hot day, don't block foot traffic, don't do anything inappropriate with your audience members, etc.).
You may be able to perform for events in the community, like wedding or concert receptions or school dances. These are great; you have a captive audience, and you can usually make some money. Before the event, you and the person in charge should discuss your wage, breaks, and whether or not you can collect tips.
Get Help
It is essential to have a support person with you when you perform as a living statue. Your helper shouldn't be someone who will try to make you laugh or otherwise sabotage you when you are performing. He or she should be dependable, helpful, and attentive to your needs.
The support person will help you get situated in your performance location without breaking the illusion; this includes setting up your pedestal and arranging its cover, helping you step up, watching to see if you signal for help, and coming to your rescue if an audience member becomes inappropriate or steals the tip jar.
Arrange a signal pose with your support person to ask for help while you are performing, and another pose to let them know you are ready to leave. The two of you should discuss how long you want to be out and your helper should watch for the "ready to leave" signal. Your support person can also offer to be a photographer for people in your audience who want a picture with you.
Get Poised
Research some poses before you perform. Look at photos of statues for inspiration, and think of poses that show your character's personality. For comfort and stability, keep your feet hip-width apart and your weight equally distributed on both legs. Open poses (with arms open, not crossed, and palms toward the audience) feel most approachable—and you certainly want the audience to feel comfortable interacting with you.
Get Moving (or Standing Still)
Once you have your costume and makeup on, location scoped out, and support person with you, you are ready to perform. Your helper should set up anything you need before you appear. Stay in character while walking to the location and assuming your position. Your helper should stand back and look you head to toe, making sure nothing breaks the illusion. He or she should also set out your tip jar, if you have one.
At first, it's good to keep very still. Any movement should be gradual. It isn't good to move too much, or the illusion isn't effective; however, standing completely still isn't going to get an audience reaction. It is generally good not to move until someone notices you. As they stand regarding your chiselled features, surprise them by moving your head, extend a hand to shake, bow or drop a curtsey, or offer them something from your "give-backs". Try to have a sense of humor while you are performing, but keep it classy and aloof for the best believability. You will probably pose for lots of photos—a great opportunity to do something unexpected, since the people in the picture have their backs to you.
Give Back
A great way to make the time the audience spends with you especially memorable for them (and rope in some more reluctant audience members) is the "give-back". Give-backs are a little something individual that people can hang onto as they leave. Give-backs can range from something as simple as posing for a photo and dropping a curtsey to individually wrapped candy, pins, flowers, rubber balls, whatever you can think of that goes with your character. It's good to leave your audience with something to remember you by, and if you can label your give-back with your phone number or web address, give-backs can be a tool to help you network.
Get Paid
A few people are able to perform on the street for a living, but most have to work to support their performances. It is not advisable to quit your day job and start working full-time as a living statue, at least until you know you are making lots of money consistently. You might be able to make a little by performing, but it is an extremely unreliable form of income. Again, regardless of how much cash you are trying to make, Research the area's laws about street performance first, or you may end up having wasted money and time.
Tips for the Difficult Stuff
First-time living statue performers may not anticipate how difficult it is to keep their eyes apparently shut for a long period of time; those tiny facial muscles get fatigued fairly quickly. Short sets are the solution until you build up strength.
It's mentally exhausting to be mostly blind while trying to interact with your audience. Prepare yourself for this, and don't try to walk a lot while performing, or you may have an accident.
Another difficulties keeping a straight face. To maintain the illusion, a living statue's face should not change throughout the performance. Not laughing or smiling while people are staring at and interacting with you is hard. Some people will intentionally try to get a smile out of you. Clenching your jaw and thinking serious thoughts may help.
If you are doing a long set (30+ minutes), you may need to shift to a kneeling or sitting position. Your helper needs to keep a sharp eye out during these times and help you move, then rearrange your costume if necessary.
Maintaining your balance is another challenge. Making sure your pedestal is steady is half the battle; on uneven surfaces your helper can stuff some of the pedestal's sheet under the part causing the issue. The other part of balance is posture. Keep your knees relaxed, not locked, and make sure your footwear is supportive.
Living statue is challenging, but very fun. Give yourself lots of time to plan and shop, do your research, and enjoy yourself. Good luck!
To read more about living statue, check out A Living Statue Costume and Makeup Guide.
Join the Conversation