The view is lovely. For this, face the table.
A private lake makes for wonderfully imprecise directions. “We’re by the water” tells me where the guests are, not how to get the show into the house. Send the street address and the driveway or land entrance your host wants me to use. If you’re renting at Lake Toxaway, check that the owner permits an outside performer and your full group before you plan the evening.
Give the boat party time to tie up and come inside for supper. Then seat the adults where they can see the middle of the table. For my two-hour theatrical séance I suggest ten to fifteen guests, or a smaller group if that’s what your table seats comfortably. Someone at the far end of a second room will hear the gasp and miss the reason.
What if half of them want to stay on the dock?
Choose close-up magic or a tarot station indoors instead. Folks can come back for a turn at cards whenever the mood hits without asking anybody to retell a ghost story from the beginning. If you do choose the séance, let the skeptics in on the invitation: it’s a comedy magic show, not an attempt to contact a relative. They’re free to doubt everything except their supper reservation.