10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring Event Entertainment

Hi, I'm Tres Miller—Tres the Great.

If you're planning a birthday party, company event, family gathering, school program, or community celebration, choosing the right entertainer can be surprisingly difficult.

A good promotional video may show you what an entertainer does. It doesn't necessarily tell you how dependable they are, whether their show fits your audience, or what will happen on the day of your event.

Before you hire anyone, ask these ten questions. The answers can help you avoid uncomfortable surprises—and make it much more likely that your guests will have a terrific experience.

Question 1: What type of audience is your show designed for?

Entertainment is not one-size-fits-all.

A show designed for five-year-olds will be very different from an adult corporate performance. Family entertainment, school assemblies, senior-living programs, and company parties each require a different pace, tone, and style.

Tell the entertainer the ages of your guests and the kind of event you're planning. Then ask whether the performance will be adjusted for that particular audience.

The right entertainer should be able to explain exactly why the show is appropriate for your group.

Question 2: How much experience do you have with this type of event?

Someone may be talented and still be the wrong fit for your event.

Ask whether the performer regularly handles events like yours. A children's birthday party requires audience management and age-appropriate humor. A company event requires professional presentation and an understanding of workplace boundaries. A family gathering needs material that different generations can enjoy together.

Relevant experience matters because an entertainer must do more than perform tricks. They must read the room, manage the energy, and keep the audience comfortable.

Question 3: How long is the performance?

Don't assume that every “show” is the same length.

Ask for the actual performance time and whether setup, photographs, balloon animals, meet-and-greet time, or other activities are included in that number.

For many events, a focused performance is more effective than one that runs too long. Younger audiences generally need a quicker pace, while adults may enjoy a more developed presentation.

The best length depends on the audience, the venue, and the rest of your schedule.

Question 4: What do you need from the venue?

This question prevents many day-of-event problems.

Ask how much space the entertainer needs, whether electrical power is required, and whether the show can be performed indoors or outdoors.

If the performance will be outside, discuss wind, heat, sunlight, noise, and a backup plan for bad weather.

You should also ask where the performer will set up and whether guests need to remain out of that area beforehand. A little planning here can make a tremendous difference.

Question 5: What is included in the quoted price?

Ask for a clear explanation of what you're purchasing.

Does the price include travel, setup, sound equipment, assistants, customized material, giveaways, or additional activities? Is a deposit required? When is the remaining balance due?

You should also ask whether there are charges for travel, overtime, parking, or last-minute schedule changes.

A professional entertainer should be able to provide a straightforward price without mysterious additions appearing later.

Question 6: Can you personalize the performance for my event or guest of honor?

A show can be technically excellent and still feel generic. Personalization is what makes an event memorable for the right reasons.

Ask whether the entertainer will learn the guest of honor's name, the type of celebration, and any details that matter to your group. For a birthday, that might mean spotlighting the birthday child. For a school, it could mean tying the show to a reading or character theme. For a company event, it might mean referencing the organization or the occasion.

Ask whether the material will be age-appropriate for your guests and whether there are special volunteer moments where someone from your group becomes part of the show.

Gathering these details in advance is what separates a performer who simply shows up from one who makes the event feel personal. No specific custom trick should be promised in advance — the point is that the entertainer is willing to tailor the experience to your celebration.

Question 7: Can I see reviews or complete performance footage?

A short highlight reel can be useful, but it naturally shows only the strongest moments.

Look at reviews from actual customers and, when possible, watch longer portions of a real performance. Pay attention to more than the tricks. Watch how the entertainer speaks to volunteers, responds to unexpected moments, and keeps the audience involved.

Consistent reviews from events similar to yours are especially valuable.

Question 8: How do you involve audience members?

Audience participation can be one of the best parts of live entertainment — when it is handled well.

Ask how volunteers are selected and how they're treated onstage. Good participation should make people feel important and successful. It should never depend on embarrassing a child, humiliating an adult, or making someone uncomfortable for the sake of a laugh.

People should leave the stage feeling better than when they walked onto it.

Question 9: What happens if you become sick or have an emergency?

No one likes thinking about cancellations, but responsible planning includes the unexpected.

Ask about the entertainer's cancellation policy, refund policy, and communication process. Do they have professional contacts who may be able to help if a genuine emergency occurs?

There may not always be a perfect replacement, but you should know how the situation would be handled.

Question 10: What do you need from me to make the show successful?

This may be the most revealing question of all.

An experienced entertainer will probably have a few practical requests: a clear performance area, an appropriate audience arrangement, enough setup time, and someone available as a day-of-event contact.

For a magic show, audience placement is particularly important. Children seated directly on the floor in front usually see and participate better than children scattered around a large room or seated behind tall tables.

When you and the performer understand each other's expectations, the entire event runs more smoothly.

Closing

Those are the ten questions I recommend asking before hiring event entertainment.

You can download the free printable checklist on this page and use it when speaking with any entertainer you're considering. The goal is not simply to find someone who can perform. It's to find someone who is dependable, appropriate for your audience, and capable of making your event memorable for the right reasons.

If you're planning an event in Utah and would like to see whether Tres the Great is the right fit, click the Check Availability button below.

Tell me a little about your event, and we'll figure out which show and performance length make the most sense.

I'm Tres Miller—Tres the Great. Thanks for watching, and I hope your next event includes a little bit of magic.