Magic Question: How To Get Started in Stage Magic

[@magicorthodoxy]

How to overcome STAGE FRIGHT kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5rbfX2jna91gZo

[@georgeadcock2347]

Having performed stage illusions since 1996, the most important aspect to having a great show is "Be likeable".. everything else will fall in place if you start with that.. To discover your character there is no short cut, you have to do as many shows as possible...

[@magicorthodoxy]

agreed - sadly there are a lot of unlikable magicians in the world

[@KarstenJohansson]

@@magicorthodoxy Not gonna name names, but there's a guy who exposes tricks. And I can see why he does that since he clearly wants to be known as a good magician, BUT he is so very extremely unlikeable. I can't imagine anyone paying to go to his non-existent performances. Damn I hate seeing his videos show up in the YT Recommendations... his personality is seething with cynicism, and he talks as if what he is exposing is the most stupid trick he's ever seen.

[@HyattWatson]

Thank you David, I have been practicing a ton for my first “stage” gig, tomorrow. I’m applying for a scholarship at magi fest, for a group of kids from a local church, and honestly, this video was a comfort/answer to my prayers. I felt like I was out out material to read and watch. Are you going to be at this upcoming Magi Fest?

[@magicorthodoxy]

I might skip this year

[@HyattWatson]

Why is that if you don’t mind me asking?

[@JCMagic]

You could potentially find a funtastic podcast that fits your style and listen on the go and at home. Take notes and apply. I am currently listening to the Professional Magician Podcast with Cris Johnson. Enjoy!!

[@magicorthodoxy]

great tip

[@roncalhoun2749]

Great information. I’m in retirement. Your list of ten classics is priceless. 6 or 7 of those and you have the foundation for a fantastic show at about the price of a Big Mac a couple of times a month. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@magicorthodoxy]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@MagicMarkTakePart]

Thanks David, that was a very informative video. There are a few points I would like to add. Stage magic is just magic performed on stage. Any magic can be stage magic as long as the audience can see what is happening. You don't need to have large illusions and dancing girls, you just need some good magic performed in your own unique style. I have routinely entertained large crowds with few props by doing some rope magic, card tricks, including Paul Harris's excellent Las Vegas Leaper (a cards accross effect using a spectator), my stand up and surrounded version of the old vanishing Martini and Rossi bottle, Gene Anderson's Torn and restored newspaper and Terry Seabrooke's burnt bill in envelope. But, to be clear, the most important part of performing on stage is not the actual tricks, it is the magcian's interaction with the audience. After many years of magic, theatre and improv, I know that I can stand up in front of a crowd and entertain them even if I have no props with me. And that is what the stage performer has to strive for: to become a performer, not just someone who does tricks. You have to bring the audience with you on a journey to the willing suspension of disbelief, and that is the hallmark true success. I definitely agree that many people have never seen magic performed live, and they are usually very happy to enjoy your performance. I also believe that some training in theatre, improv or public speaking is a good basis for the aspiring stage perfromer. As an old magical mentor of mine once said, what magicians need is a place to be bad. What he was getting at is that to truly develop a talent for performing, you need to go out and perform, starting with venues that are low stakes that offer you the opportunity to fail so that you can learn from your mistakes. I wish you all few failures and many magical successes! Mark M.

[@magicorthodoxy]

so wait ... just to be clear ... I DON'T need dancing girls?

[@MagicMarkTakePart]

@@magicorthodoxy, if you have them, go for it! Otherwise, it's all good!

[@ScottNicely]

Great video. Full of great information. I'm getting back into magic after a long hiatus. As you were talking about the build your own props, I was reminded of my back issues of magic magazine. If I remember correctly most issues of magic magazine had a build-your-own section or article in it. These were geared mainly for parlor. Don't know if that'll help anybody but

[@magicorthodoxy]

Cool, thanks

[@MexieMex]

One of the easiest way to get into stage work is to do Comparing/MC stuff, it allows you to get a feel for stage without needing a full set or having to carry the show yourself.

[@magicorthodoxy]

GOOD POINT !!!

[@roncalhoun2749]

My polite comment. If you’re starting to do stage magic you should be getting paid. Which means your magic is now a product. You want to have a quality show to sale. Every thing some look nice, clean and attractive. And you want to learn how to sell your services. Good luck. And remember, the more times you do something the better you’ll get. So, keep doing.

[@magicorthodoxy]

100% great way to put it !!! clear and to the point

[@randbaldwin]

A great book recommendation: "Magic and Showmanship," by Henning Nelms.

[@magicorthodoxy]

nice !!!

[@salv8dor_s495]

This is one of my biggest dreams I’m going to keep trying and thank you four your GREAT advice! I start small with performing to my family. THANK YOU SO SO SO MUCH!

[@magicorthodoxy]

You can do it!

[@salv8dor_s495]

@@magicorthodoxy thank you so much!🎉🥳

[@3_wookiees_walk_into_a_bar52]

Never done stage magic, or kids parties always tricks at bars or out and about trying to get myself into it. I have plenty of tricks I just can’t decide which to put on my show Split Die Box, run rabbit run, hippity hop, rabbit. I feel that all three are jumping from left right kind of tricks. Which ones do you guys recommend

[@daverothberg2624]

lots of great advice in this video David … thanks 👍🏻👍🏻 No matter how small or how large your audience, everyone is going to get nervous butterflies 🦋 before a performance …. the key is to get them to fly in formation! Good variety is important, as is being sincere and honest

[@magicorthodoxy]

Very true!

[@marcrivasc]

I always enjoy your videos so much. I like how human and transparent you are. Keep it up.

[@magicorthodoxy]

thanks MARC !!!

[@waskan.herrera]

Stage by Stage by John Graham is an amazing book to consider.

[@magicorthodoxy]

good to know

[@ricardotavera1330]

I also believe that a great idea would be to take an improv class. An improv class will help to teach people to think on your toes in case you hit some unexpected situations and be humorous in a natural way.

[@magicorthodoxy]

Agreed 👍

[@westonding8953]

You can gain very useful skills well beyond magic! Public speaking, public performing, singing, dancing, even speaking in a courtroom.

[@magicorthodoxy]

yes !!!

[@damianfarrer3992]

I have always wanted to do stage magic since I was little. I do more close up magic, and I have won 2 talent shows with a stage trick. This has actually given me some info that I didn't know.

[@magicorthodoxy]

oh good

[@KarstenJohansson]

You nailed it. It's too easy for magicians to think "Bah, this trick is all over YT... everyone has seen it already." But that's only because *we* purposely look for that stuff. The vast majority of people don't even think about it. For example, you know the pseudo-science where a person holds a object with some kind of magical property so you can push down on their outstretched arm and show that they won't fall if they're holding the object? A lot of people have seen these, since they're often presented as a real useful item (like those stupid hologram wrist bands). I mostly do mentalism, and so I turned this pseudo-science trick into the polar opposite... the coin I use mimics one from an old 1800's brothel, and just holding it makes you demonstrably weaker. This, I have not encountered anyone who has been able to explain it. It blows minds. Meanwhile it's just the same kinetic tricks fake medical device people use. I just chose the opposite properties.

[@magicorthodoxy]

Great 👍 comment

[@glenpolen5562]

Very informative video David. Im extremely impressed. Thank you. Im a semi pro drummer. I can relate to many of the things that you are saying about being on stage, even tho i dont talk and stand in front of people. Being in marching band taught me alot about discipline and practice. I needed both. And wow. I love it. Being in DRUMLINES, I heard these sayings, 1 - "PEOPLE HEAR WHAT THEY SEE, AND SEE WHAT THEY HEAR. That is deep. Think about it. Lol. think how that relates to YOUR stafe performances. In the drumline, We dont have to ever hit our drums, because if we can act, perform and use great techniques, and show drums and drumsticks, then people should be able to hear it in the minds, if they cant hear because of screaming people or because of bad hearing. This also goes for, seeing what they hear. I needed to be that good of a drummer so people could watch my sticks move with good control and great techiniques. It also depends on our body novementscand facial expressions. If nobody knows im sweating, they will figure it out when i use a towel on my face, arms and head. 2 - MAKE GRANDMA EXCITED. Lol. We are saying that if grandma, being very hard of hearing, is sitting in the very top/ last row, she is probably one of those people who can only see what she hears. And, if she is partially blind, then she needs to hear what she see's. I have so many of the magic tricks that you mentioned on this video. I bought all of my magic at an AWESOME magic store in the late 70s, early 80s, in PGH,PA, called "THE CUCKOO'S NEST.". The silks to cane and can to silk are 2 VERY GOOD stage shows. I love stratosphere, the eggbag, tricky bottles, and the hand bag is great. Im just wondering, Why did you mention the old classics? I dont have any magic store tricks since 1980. Im sure there are bigger, Better, and newer tricks out there to use . Im only into doin card tricks and packet tricks now, so i would only do small venues. Ive done the tricks i mentioned and others, when i performed in libraries as a teen. Ive also played my drums in small settings, like in small bars, nursing homes and in many different churches.lol. those places are a whole different world. Speaking of grandma. 😆 Haahaahaahahahaaaaa.lol Take care David , Thank you. Glen polen

[@magicorthodoxy]

Great 👍 comment

[@Mike_the_Magic_Man]

Some type levitation whether it be yourself or a spectator

[@magicorthodoxy]

always a crowd pleaser

[@joelkaisner3136]

Hi David! I have been learning card tricks for a few years now….. Recently, a friend asked me to perform a few tricks for a kids ministry of his. Unfortunately, I don’t have any gimmicks available right now bc of his short notice… Are there any tricks that you would recommend that would be good for middle school age kids?

[@d1g1m1]

Fantastic Video David! Probably my best simple stage/parlour effects that get the best reactions & people remember are Chinese Linking Rings (never go to a gig without them..) & Multiplying Bottles…! Can’t carry these 2 effects everywhere; but worth doing at almost any type of gig even just as a finale etc… As you said most of the Classics are still amazing for audiences… 🙏😃🎩

[@magicorthodoxy]

I own mult bottles, it's still in the box. I need a routine

[@d1g1m1]

@@magicorthodoxy Lance Burton does an amazing version…

[@MalekMagicianPR]

Tarbell vol 7 I believe have some stage Illusions if not then penguin put out a very nice affordable video instruction divided into lessons and the nice thing about it is that you can pick and choose which one suits your style. Thank you David, great video!

[@magicorthodoxy]

Great suggestion!

[@BrandonJPearce]

Another idea is to take some public speaking classes, in addition to any community acting classes. Public speaking classes have great ways to manage stage fright. A tip for managing stage fright with large groups of people, focus in on only 3 people at a time and pretend you're only addressing those people when talking and looking at the crowd. So IE, look at the first row, find 3 people and look at them (make eye contact), pretend you're addressing them. Then move to the next row and so on. Its a lot easier to manage that way.

[@magicorthodoxy]

find a local TOAST MASTERS

[@BrandonJPearce]

@@magicorthodoxy Yes!

[@user-qd4od9op5q]

Hi ,great video ! I have one question, do you think 20cm linking rings are ok for Stage? Thanks in advance !

[@chrisharrelson66]

GREAT ADVICE!!!

[@magicorthodoxy]

THANK YOU !!!!!

[@codeartisan]

Some great advice. As a bit of a stand-up comedy geek I own both of those books you recommend. My favorite, though, is "Zen and the Art of Stand-Up Comedy" by Jay Sankey. Excellent content.

[@magicorthodoxy]

Thanks for sharing!

[@supremekarate1]

David, would you recommend Diminishing Cards as a Parlor effect? The Card do become difficult to see each time you make the cards shrink in size.

[@magicorthodoxy]

Yes parlor. I did a review for it

[@supremekarate1]

@@magicorthodoxy thanks

[@magicdmitry]

Ah, the microphone thing ;) I was once performing as part of the big show with a... let's call it "theatre", and when I asked for a wearable mic A MONTH in advance, lady in charge said: oh yeah, no problem... and when I showed up for the actual performance she was like: "All the wearable mics are on the actors, all of them in full makeup, and ready to go on stage, I can't spare any..." Moments like this force you to think if you're willing to spend $500-$1000 to prepare for such occasions, or incorporate microphone stand in your act...

[@magicorthodoxy]

oooh !!!!

[@BrandonJPearce]

Penguinmagic has a great Tarbell video with Dan Harlan on Stage Magic. Theres also a tarbell video on floating/rising card tricks that has some pretty cool parlor or stage applications.

[@magicorthodoxy]

oh nice

[@wolshjl]

hello I have a question so tomorrow I have a talent show and I only have two tricks planned and I want to fool everybody but the question is can you teach me what you think is the best trick to perform on stage? Thank you!

[@DouglasByrd]

Deep pockets. Unless you are gonna show up with shabby handmade cardboard props; you are gonna need a good chunk of cash.

[@seanfaherty]

Or fall back on Mentalism and Rope Tricks. I’m pretty sure it’s the performer, not the tricks but I do hear you about the quality/cleanliness of your props

[@craigchadburn4298]

Apologies for off topic but can anyone point me in the direction of some double back card tricks please ? Or any forums where I can ask questions and get some help :)

[@magicorthodoxy]

has an entire section of DB card tricks www.penguinmagic.com/p/S4728

[@allthatsmagic06]

Take it from me Jeff MCBride Brides Magic on Stage 1,2,3, and Mark Wilson’s Encyclopedia of Magic and Dan Harlan pack small play big series Awesome Stuff Especially Jeff MCBride I can’t get enough of him Such a great teacher,and definitely Andrew Mayne and Jim Garrisch with the PVC pipe illusions it’s just like Andrew Maynes but with more ideas

[@magicorthodoxy]

oh good - glad you agree !!!

[@joernb2000]

Thanks for the great advise. What do you think about writing a script?

[@magicorthodoxy]

I always do kzbin.info/www/bejne/m2OseKeYq9WenpI

[@sensorcelled]

Not a trick, but as general good stage advice I'd recommend The Art of Stagecraft by Alexander Marsh and The 1914. Fantastic.

[@magicorthodoxy]

here's my review kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKqqaWqnr9GigLc

[@Dave062YT]

Not my thing but interesting and educational as always .Cheers

[@magicorthodoxy]

:D