Need Performance Tips - How to Approach people

[Gabe Cohen]

Hello Theory 11,

I'm new to this website, and I was hoping you guys could answer some of my questions. You need to hear my story first, though

I'm in 7th grade at a private school. Coming into the school, I knew absolutely nobody. As we approach the end of the school year, i'm still not "popular". The majority of my friends play Minecraft, and their faces are glued to their computers ALL THE TIME. I've had a few chances over the last few months to perform for more "popular" kids, but I always freeze I performed a little at the beginning of the year, but people started figuring out my tricks, and shooting me down. Now, the only way I can share my magic is through Instagram, hoping that maybe one day,someone will ask to see some magic.

Was that an okay story? Good. So here's my issue. I need a way to bring magic into an ordinary conversation with a group, without making it seem show-offy. Any ideas? Also, does anyone have any tips for magic that involves interacting with some female spectators? Not that I don't talk to girls or anything..err..

Thanks,
Gabe

 

[Fredrick H.]

Ah yes, the age of junior high. That was around the time that I started delving more seriously into magic.

Let me say first of all, popularity in school is no indication of who you are or what you do. Magic wont change that, instead find something about magic that inspires you. Why did you first approach magic? What made you want to be a magician? If the answer to the above is, because I want to be popular or it looks cool, you may need to find a different outlet. That is missing the point. I love magic because there are some many wonderful and fantastic things in the world and we over look them so easily. Yet magic brings the spectator into a world of pure joy. Because that's my inspiration it drives the kind of magic I want to do. So really, let you shine in your magic, that brings about 'popularity' (for sake of the conversation) in much better ways, just like a comedian will tell you don't try to be funny...it never works

As far as bringing magic into a conversation, that comes down to preference. When I was in school ( a long time ago) I did magic as it came up, I looked for opportunities where it could come naturally, honestly my first performance in school was with a group of kids who were watching a pretty standard magic trick, one that everyone's grandpa or uncle knows. Everyone said they knew that one and I decided to show one that I said might be new to them and boom, it was memorable and labeled me as the 'magic guy'. You could also look for talent shows, or even just do magic for yourself, In airports I often do little shows for people waiting for flights because the notice me doing something with a coin or cards and they are drawn in.

Lastly, work on one trick/routine/technique and get really good at it, so good that you could do it blindfolded and as smooth as butter. The effortless effect will make it much harder for people to figure out what you may be doing. And of course, work on some patter for the effect; what do you want to say? What is the purpose of the effect? Is there a story?

All this is food for thought, I am sure someone else will have a different opinion than mine but to each their own. You need to find your own.


P.S. - my experience magic for girls, isn't a wise direction...just an fyi

 

[Gabe Cohen]

Thanks for the fast response man, really appreciate it. And, you're definitely right. Popularity was not the reason I got into magic, so it shouldn't be the reason why I perform. I have 3 solid effects. One is a variation of "Jack in the Hole" that happens in the spectators hands, and the other is a sort-of-hypnosis four ace production I call "Connection". The third is Chaos Theory. Any recommendations?

-Gabe

 

[Fredrick H.]

Glad to hear your on the right track. Magic is a great conversation tool but even around new people I don't force it in, usually it comes up with conversation that I do magic and that leads to a special performance for them.

In the case of Chaos Theory you have a great triumph effect. My challenge to you is to be able to do the entire effect with no errors, make it as easy as holding a deck of cards in your hand. It will take work and without seeing you perform it its hard to know where exactly you need to go. Secondly decide how you want to go about doing the effect. What is it you want to convey to your audience? The opposite of chaos is order? Or make it into a story about a 'bad' experience with magic lead your audience into a story.

Personally, I don't perform any triumph effects ever. Every magician performs some variation so to set my self apart I choose not to perform them. I like to open with a three card monte variation. It allows me to set them up for what may happen next the beauty of misdirection and its quick. Quick means it can happen in under 2 minutes and it packs big. I have found the remember that short impactful trick than a long drawn out one.

As always some food for thought take what is useful for you, and keep working at it!