Getting comfortable in front of groups of strangers
Hi, William.
There's an organization called Toastmasters that has chapters in just about every part of the country that you might want to consider visiting. Membership is typically free or very cheap (I realize that you and I may have a different definition of "very cheap", so your mileage may vary), and is often organized around the work schedules of business people and students. Assuming you live in or near any kind of metropolitan area, I'm sure you can find a few chapters near you with a meeting time that fits your needs.
Their meetings last an hour or so, if I recall correctly, and they provide an opportunity to learn and practice impromptu public speaking. Every meeting includes a round of very quick impromtu speeches (example: give a three minute talk about your favorite song, etc.), plus an opportunity to give a longer talk as part of a more structured 10-lesson course on public speaking. You only give a talk when you want; there's no pressure to perform except for the pressure you put on yourself. The 10-lesson course focuses on specific areas to work on (gestures, tone of voice, visual aids, humor, etc.).
If you were to visit a Toastmasters club on a regular basis, you'll come to know many of the members, but every meeting will also include new visitors, so it's a great opportunity to prepare yourself for addressing strangers and acquaintances alike. You'll also find, if you were to join the club and try the course, that there will be *plenty* of opportunities to make your practice relevant to your magic performance.
Just as mastering a magic trick is best accomplished by practicing, with each practice focusing on one aspect at a time, so too you will master your natural ability to perform in public by practicing, while focusing on one aspect of performance at a time. Toastmasters is one way to do this. As has been mentioned earlier in this thread, there are other books and organizations (Dale Carnegie, among others) that are dedicated to the same purpose.
If you are still in school, take a class on public speaking. Most universities and many colleges will have several from which to choose. Even if you're not a college student, a local college radio station will likely have opportunities for non-students to train to work on-air. Local coffee shops will likely have a monthly open-mic night for poetry; local comedy clubs will have open-mic nights for comedy. Pick something that is just a wee bit new to you, but not *too* far out of your comfort zone, and start participating.
You won't become a suave master-of-ceremonies overnight, but you'd be surprised at how quickly you expand your comfort zone when it comes to performing for strangers, and that will have a dramatic (pardon the pun) impact on your confidence in your magic. "Slow but steady wins the race," and all that. You have a lifetime ahead to improve (and increase your enjoyment of) your magic. But why not start now?
Go get 'em,
--Allan
