Published: October 30, 2006 10:07 am      

Magically motivating

CAMANCHE — Each class filed into the auditorium at Camanche Elementary and quietly took a seat on the floor. They were all on their best behavior, even though the weather had prevented them from enjoying recess outside that dreary Wednesday. With pent-up energy, they anxiously awaited the beginning of the promised assembly — they were going to see a magician!

The presentation was a highlight of the Red Ribbon/Character Counts! Week at Camanche Elementary School last week, and featured Chris McBrien, a Bettendorf native and educational entertainer who performs children’s shows throughout the Midwest. McBrien’s background includes five years of experience working with children ages 4 to 18 while teaching art and drama classes for the Bettendorf Center for the Cultural Arts (now the Family Museum) in the early 1990s.

His pastor encouraged McBrien to use his acting and presentation talents to teach children.

McBrien shares more about his background on on his Web site, www.magicstoryteller. biz.

“One of the motivating factors that caused me to go into the educational entertainment field was watching presenters claiming to offer ‘motivational programs’ that barely touched on very important issues or topics,” he wrote. “I decided it was time to make a difference. It was time to offer something of value, a program that’s educationally significant.”

So “The Magic Storyteller” was born. Over the past 15 years, McBrien estimates he’s given more than 2,300 presentations to schools, libraries, churches and community organizations, presentations he and his wife have written specifically for a variety of age groups and subject matter. Each program features a mix of magic, unique story-telling, puppets and audience participation that keeps his young audiences mesmerized, as was the case at the Camanche Elementary auditorium.

McBrien perused the audience, picking out volunteers for skits during the presentation. It appeared almost every student wanted to get into the act.

“You, ma’am, in the green shirt,” he said, or “You, sir, in the camouflage pants,” as he eyed the eager students. Each was formally introduced and given a rousing round of applause for their participation.

McBrien’s skits involve the telling of stories that are both funny and educational. And each drives home an important message focusing on a Character Counts! pillar — caring, fairness, respect, responsibility, trustworthiness and citizenship. McBrien’s own three magic words were memorized and used by the audience to “assist” him with his magic tricks — “Choose! Lead! Succeed!” was children would call out in unison, and voila! The ball would reappear!

Then there was Ollie Possum, a colorful puppet sidekick who kidded with McBrien and the children and taught them “the real magic is in (them) and the choices (they) make every day.” The program emphasized both the character ideals and, because it was Red Ribbon Week, why it’s important for every child to avoid the pitfalls of alcohol, drugs and tobacco.

The students sat rapt for the entire hour, caught up in the magic, laughter and message. Teachers, sitting on the perimeter, seem impressed with McBrien’s abilities to keep the youngsters both engaged and quiet; they were equally impressed as McBrien was able to get the students to file out of the gym, class by class, in complete silence. “That,” one instructor whispered, “is real magic.”