Chutzpah was not in short supply at the Premier Showcase in Lombard, an event at which educational performers performed their acts to try to convince planners of special programs and assemblies at schools, park districts and libraries to hire them.

There was a carnival atmosphere at Carlisle Banquets Tuesday where some of the performers donned historic costumes, safari suits or white lab coats to ask attendees to step right up and get a look at their programs and give them an idea of what their acts are like.

One performer hopped aboard a unicycle while juggling red, yellow and blue balls, another tapped a tune on steel drums, and still another did a hula in a grass skirt after talking about Hawaiian culture and history. Abe and Mary Lincoln were there as was Teddy Roosevelt and his second wife, Edith – though they weren’t at the same booth. (Photos: Need a mime?)

Apparently it’s not easy to snag the attention of children and teens – and teach them a thing or two about history, science, and myriad other subjects. Nor is it easy to land a gig to do an act that educates or inspires in these days in which schools, park districts and libraries are facing ever-tightening budgets.

“There’s a drop off in assemblies at school districts where they’re struggling to make budgets,” said Scott Shepherd of Glenview, dressed in a purple velvet robe and aviator goggles to portray a gray-bearded Leonardo DaVinci.

Lloyd Bachrach, who started organizing the showcase seven years ago, agreed. He was born with a congenital bone deficiency and began performing his inspirational act about overcoming adversity 17 years ago.

“There are more performers competing for fewer dollars,” Bachrach said. “When I started it was common for schools to do one assembly a month. Now they do three or four a year or some do just one or two – one in the fall and one in the spring.”

That means that educational performers have to put energy into landing jobs, and an event like the Premier Showcase plays an important role. There were 90 performers at the showcase and 150 attendees.

“I always get bookings out of it,” said Janet Gilleland who portrays 14 different historical characters, from Edith Roosevelt to Jane Addams, through her business, Accent on History in West Chicago. This was the sixth year she attended the showcase. She said she charges between $275 and $600 per performance depending on how many actors or props are needed.

Debra Miller, who portrays Mary Todd Lincoln, said event planners are more likely to hire an act they can see in-person than one they find by searching the Internet.

“It introduces us to the people who will hire us,” she said. “It’s better than a web site.”

With few dollars to spend, Miller said planners want to be assured of the quality of the acts they hire.

“It takes a great leap of faith (for planners),” said Miller. “The showcase builds a level of trust.”

To give attendees a taste of what they offer, performers manned booths in one room at the Carlisle and a stage was set up in another where they were allowed to perform a seven-minute act.

Bachrach, who lives in Chicago, said he does not screen any of the talent. Seven minutes is more than enough time for a performer to prove they won’t bomb.

“Less is more,” said storyteller Chris Fascione of Oak Park. “The people watching us will know if the first 15 to 30 seconds you’re professional enough for them to continue listening.”

Michelle Richter, Ann Sodaro and Mary Paganis drove from Park Ridge to attend the showcase. They are members of the PTL cultural committee at Roosevelt Elementary School and they were looking for talent for track-a-thon to be held at the end of this month that will focus on health and fitness.

They found some acts they liked at the showcase.

“It’s so great to see some of these creative educators coming forward,” said Sodaro.

Spinning a tabletop gyroscope at the table he was manning, Shepherd – aka Leonardo DaVinci – said he is bothered by the reduction in school assemblies that he has witnessed.

He brings a life-size gyroscope to his programs and climbs in it and spins around in it –all in an effort to show the creative force and achievements of one man who lived centuries ago, and to inspire young people to be the best they can be.

School assemblies are important, he said, because they bring another perspective to students.

“When people come in from outside their community they get different inspiration,” he said. “If you don’t tap into it you’re going to have kids who don’t get inspired.”