Not the Younger Kids' Show. Something Sharper.
Real Magic. Real Stories. A Message That Actually Lands.
What Your School Will Experience
Watch a quick preview, then tell us about your school, and check your inbox for next steps.
What's the Show Actually Like
Think less Disney, more David Blaine.
- Real sleight of hand and mentalism, paired with drama and real stories from Tim's own life.
- Not a lecture, a conversation. Tim earns the right to be heard through amazing magic and mentalism first, the “magic of the mind” style that feels more grown-up, and kids really respond to it.
- Once that connection is made, when he shares stories from his own middle school years, you could hear a pin drop in the room.
The Theme
Be Amazed. Live Amazing.
Kids don't just see amazing things, they learn how their own everyday choices add up to an amazing life. Tim uses the idea of drawing a circle around yourself and focusing only on what's inside it, the things you can actually control.
From there, the messages hit exactly where middle schoolers need them:
- Kindness and empathy
- Doing the right thing when no one's watching
- Responsibility and respect
- All tied directly into your school's own expectations
One of the most requested middle school assembly and junior high assembly programs in the Chicago area, built for grades 5-8.
Middle School Educators Rave About Tim Hannig
“The kids and staff loved it!”
“The BEST assembly we've had in all my years as principal!”
“Outstanding job getting students involved! Strong message! Highly recommended!”
“Tim wove in our school's own language, the Cardinal Way, seamlessly. By far the most amazing assembly ever. The way the message was put into the magic, it was just perfect.”
“We didn't have a single kid who wasn't paying attention, everyone participated. Tim tied the message right into our Rams Way, bringing a positive climate and culture into our community. This was worth it for the entire building, kids and staff.”
Watch more staff testimonials and student reactions here!
Gallery
Every School. Same Energy.
Click any photo to expand. Use the arrow keys or buttons to move through the gallery.
FAQ
Middle School Assembly Questions
- Is this "kids' magic," like a birthday party clown?
- Not even close, and even less so here than the elementary show. Tim's a comedian, actor, magician, and mentalist with a real theater background. This is sleight of hand and “magic of the mind” work, built for an audience that's aged out of birthday-party energy.
- Does the Middle School Show include a Family Night?
- Not on its own. A standalone middle or junior high booking is assembly only. Family Night comes into play for K-8 buildings or district-wide bookings, where older kids are welcome to join an evening built around the elementary schools already in the mix.
That said, if there's an elementary school willing to book on the same day, the door opens back up. The more schools booked together on the same day, the better the pricing gets for everyone involved, and a joint Family Night becomes an option too, if that's something both schools want.
- Is there audience participation?
- Yes, though it looks different than the younger show. Volunteers come up for real mentalism and sleight-of-hand moments, not silly bits, and Tim reads the room constantly rather than running a fixed script at the crowd.
- Is this good for a PBIS assembly or SEL kickoff?
- Yes, it's one of the most common reasons schools book this program, but it's far from the only one. It works just as well for a midyear boost, finishing the year strong, celebrating after testing, or honestly, any time a school wants to re-energize its students and reinforce good character.
As Zig Ziglar put it, “People often say motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing, that's why we recommend it daily.” Same idea here. One assembly isn't magic on its own, but the right one, at the right moment, can reset the tone for weeks.
The message ties directly into whatever school-wide expectations you already have, not a generic add-on.
- Does Tim have good audience management?
- Yes, it's one of his specialties, and it matters even more with this age group. Tim wrote a book on it, called Perform. His rule: “If you have a behavior problem in your show, you probably have an engagement problem in your show.”
- How does Tim keep the show fresh?
- Same answer as always, treat every show like it's your first or your last. With years of material in rotation, returning schools get new stories and new magic, not a rerun.
- Where do you perform?
- Chicagoland based, regularly traveling throughout Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin, with national experience beyond that.
- How far in advance should we book?
- Popular windows fill early, but a few weeks' notice can absolutely still work if there's an opening.
- Is Tim insured?
- Yes, full liability coverage, certificate on request, everything else lives in your school's private portal.
Let's inspire your kids to be amazing, one choice at a time.Bring Tim's Middle School Show to your building.
Tell us about your school, and check your inbox for next steps.
