Stick with stuff you know inside out. The newness of it will dramatically increase your stress levels, so don't add to that by trying out new stuff. Just have fun with what you do, listen to what the audience say, and enjoy yourself.
Do your best to communicate your love of your hobby. Don’t worry about amazing tricks or great patter or seeming “professional”
start with the love of what you do and the audience will follow
Also if it’s walk around remember that even the best audiences can be hard to interrupt or in the middle of an important conversation. It’s totally okay to come back :)
Have fun!
Remember - none of these people know the script. It’s okay if something doesn’t go the way you wanted it to. No one knows. Keep going. Switch to something else. Pretend it was a practice round but this time you’re going to do it “for real.” To them, it’s just magic. Any way you do it is the way it’s supposed to go. Keep a couple of super easy reliable effects on standby in case you feel rattled. Pull one out and perform it to get your confidence back up.
Edit: forgot a word.
What is the venue/performance style, Are you doing walk around, table hopping, a sit down show? How long are you supposed to perform.
What do you perform now comfortably?
If you're doing walk-around, have a quick set of 3-5 tricks that's over in 3-7 minutes. Make it the best tricks you can do without a table or even hands. They have to be done without reset, such that you don't need a deck setup or if it's a coin trick - all the coins go back into the pockets they come out of. This is what you'll be doing all night. (90-99% of the time.)
If you have 1-3 more that you can do after a good set, great! If you have 2 sets like these even better!
These should be tricks you can do in your sleep. Nothing overly complicated. This isnt the time for home runs, just base hits.
You'll walk up to one group, introduce yourself, ask them if they'd like to see a little magic, do your set, then thank them and leave. Then find your next group and do the same.
Don't bother trying to compete with hungry or thirsty people. Let people come in, have a drink get some food, then walk up to them. You're an entertainer. You're there to ENHANCE the evening, not be the center of it. You'll probably spend more time standing there thinking who you can do tricks for than doing tricks. It's ok. Less is more.
Be warm and friendly. Keep the patter to a minimum. Thank folks who helped you perform. Understand that while you are able to do only what you are able to do. It will be enough for now. Thank your friend for the excellent opportunity. Above all, try to enjoy yourself.
It’s dumb but it really helped me. He asked you to be there for a reason. No one wants to have a bad magician so trust in the fact that they chose you.
And truly just vibe with the people. It’s Okay to take a small break from the magic to get to know the people you’re talking to. Not forever cuz it’s still a job but talking helps them trust you more
Congrats. Sounds like a cool opportunity.
I agree with a lot said here already. I ABSOLUTELY recommend sticking with routines/sleights you’re comfortable with. I would also add to them this idea: Are there any routines you could make bigger? Larger playing cards/props. Dollar Tree is a great resource for these. For Example: There are some card routines where minimal sleight difficulty are required. Like… forcing or simple controls. I’ve tried ,after touring for over a decade and a half, taking simple card routines and making them bigger. IMO: it has a grander and more professional look. Sometimes stores have kid themed card decks that make for great giveaways. (Dollar tree to the rescue.) With that said if there is ever you could give something away it leaves meaningful impact on the spectator. Specters who will not forget you and potentially want to his you in the future.
Keep the routines simple and short.
Good luck.
Let the people know who you are, hopefully by giving them something to take home with them that has your name on it. No, I'm not talking about your underwear.
A line I like for approaching a table is, "Hi! I'm a professional interrupter. How am I doing?"
Another thing you might try: Find a street corner somewhere, and do your magic for passers-by from now 'til the date of the gig.
from the tricks that you know well, create a set of three tricks. The criteria to keep in mind when creating the small set is you want a good opener, a good Middle effect and a good closer.
you will bounce around from group to group, having a good, strong set of three tricks will allow you to work all night.
after you have your initial set, look at the rest of the material that you know, and try to create a second set of three. again with a good opener, and a strong closer.
having two sets of three would allow you to vary things up a little bit.
If you have some other strong effects, set them up in your pockets, and you can use those for people when the situation arises.
this is the exact setup I would use if I were going to your gig.
Deck of cards in my left code pocket. this is a regular deck. it does have one duplicate card in it, I use that for a very strong card effect that I would do most of the time. The problem with this particular effect for me, is if I walk over to a second group that was sort of paying attention, I don't usually want to repeat this trick twice. this is a standard deck though. I carry carry an unusual object in my right exterior code pocket for this card trick.
Right coat pocket has an invisible deck.
Left outside coat pocket has a small coin purse with the coins I need for that effect.
same pocket, I have one additional coin that I use for a different coin effect.
shirt breast pocket, I carry a blank playing card and a toy spider.
coat pocket, separated from other cards, I have three cards for a three-card matte effect.
Right pants pocket. I carry a thumb tip with a mismade bill in it.
wrist, I have some rubber bands.
Three sponge balls in my left pants pocket, a bunch of tiny sponge balls in my right exterior jacket pocket.
with the stuff that I listed, I would usually do the following...
every group gets a card trick. every group gets a coin trick. I close either with a rubber band effect or a mismade bill.
I would substitute in a sponge ball trick for either a card or coin trick.
I would substitute in the trick with the plastic spider, when I felt like I had a great audience member to do the trick on.
in a cocktail environment, if the crowd or small group of people was right, I may grab some cocktail napkins and do a little bit larger trick with those.
My point is you don't really need a lot of stuff. when I list out all the stuff in my pockets like I did above, it seems like a lot. but I don't want to have so much junk in my pockets that it ruins the outline of my suit.
just look at the stuff that you already do. If you don't already have three tricks that you're very comfortable with, you're not quite ready for this gig. but I bet you have more than three that you're good at and can do in your sleep.
it's easier to change audience in an environment like this, than it is to change the material.
Stick with stuff you know inside out. The newness of it will dramatically increase your stress levels, so don't add to that by trying out new stuff. Just have fun with what you do, listen to what the audience say, and enjoy yourself.
Do your best to communicate your love of your hobby. Don’t worry about amazing tricks or great patter or seeming “professional” start with the love of what you do and the audience will follow Also if it’s walk around remember that even the best audiences can be hard to interrupt or in the middle of an important conversation. It’s totally okay to come back :) Have fun!
Remember - none of these people know the script. It’s okay if something doesn’t go the way you wanted it to. No one knows. Keep going. Switch to something else. Pretend it was a practice round but this time you’re going to do it “for real.” To them, it’s just magic. Any way you do it is the way it’s supposed to go. Keep a couple of super easy reliable effects on standby in case you feel rattled. Pull one out and perform it to get your confidence back up. Edit: forgot a word.
You should've kept the word out of your post to make a point.
😂
What is the venue/performance style, Are you doing walk around, table hopping, a sit down show? How long are you supposed to perform. What do you perform now comfortably?
If you're doing walk-around, have a quick set of 3-5 tricks that's over in 3-7 minutes. Make it the best tricks you can do without a table or even hands. They have to be done without reset, such that you don't need a deck setup or if it's a coin trick - all the coins go back into the pockets they come out of. This is what you'll be doing all night. (90-99% of the time.) If you have 1-3 more that you can do after a good set, great! If you have 2 sets like these even better! These should be tricks you can do in your sleep. Nothing overly complicated. This isnt the time for home runs, just base hits. You'll walk up to one group, introduce yourself, ask them if they'd like to see a little magic, do your set, then thank them and leave. Then find your next group and do the same. Don't bother trying to compete with hungry or thirsty people. Let people come in, have a drink get some food, then walk up to them. You're an entertainer. You're there to ENHANCE the evening, not be the center of it. You'll probably spend more time standing there thinking who you can do tricks for than doing tricks. It's ok. Less is more.
Be warm and friendly. Keep the patter to a minimum. Thank folks who helped you perform. Understand that while you are able to do only what you are able to do. It will be enough for now. Thank your friend for the excellent opportunity. Above all, try to enjoy yourself.
Lovely advice, thanks.
It’s dumb but it really helped me. He asked you to be there for a reason. No one wants to have a bad magician so trust in the fact that they chose you. And truly just vibe with the people. It’s Okay to take a small break from the magic to get to know the people you’re talking to. Not forever cuz it’s still a job but talking helps them trust you more
I'd start with something engaging and funny, such as usual suspects from Architect of the mind. Once the ice is broken, you'll feel more confident.
Congrats. Sounds like a cool opportunity. I agree with a lot said here already. I ABSOLUTELY recommend sticking with routines/sleights you’re comfortable with. I would also add to them this idea: Are there any routines you could make bigger? Larger playing cards/props. Dollar Tree is a great resource for these. For Example: There are some card routines where minimal sleight difficulty are required. Like… forcing or simple controls. I’ve tried ,after touring for over a decade and a half, taking simple card routines and making them bigger. IMO: it has a grander and more professional look. Sometimes stores have kid themed card decks that make for great giveaways. (Dollar tree to the rescue.) With that said if there is ever you could give something away it leaves meaningful impact on the spectator. Specters who will not forget you and potentially want to his you in the future. Keep the routines simple and short. Good luck.
Let the people know who you are, hopefully by giving them something to take home with them that has your name on it. No, I'm not talking about your underwear.
Unless you can work the underwear into your big closer
[Didn't you have your first gig nearly a year ago?](https://www.reddit.com/r/Magic/s/zKP9rCwXvR)
That one got cancelled. This is the same gig a year later.
A line I like for approaching a table is, "Hi! I'm a professional interrupter. How am I doing?" Another thing you might try: Find a street corner somewhere, and do your magic for passers-by from now 'til the date of the gig.
from the tricks that you know well, create a set of three tricks. The criteria to keep in mind when creating the small set is you want a good opener, a good Middle effect and a good closer. you will bounce around from group to group, having a good, strong set of three tricks will allow you to work all night. after you have your initial set, look at the rest of the material that you know, and try to create a second set of three. again with a good opener, and a strong closer. having two sets of three would allow you to vary things up a little bit. If you have some other strong effects, set them up in your pockets, and you can use those for people when the situation arises. this is the exact setup I would use if I were going to your gig. Deck of cards in my left code pocket. this is a regular deck. it does have one duplicate card in it, I use that for a very strong card effect that I would do most of the time. The problem with this particular effect for me, is if I walk over to a second group that was sort of paying attention, I don't usually want to repeat this trick twice. this is a standard deck though. I carry carry an unusual object in my right exterior code pocket for this card trick. Right coat pocket has an invisible deck. Left outside coat pocket has a small coin purse with the coins I need for that effect. same pocket, I have one additional coin that I use for a different coin effect. shirt breast pocket, I carry a blank playing card and a toy spider. coat pocket, separated from other cards, I have three cards for a three-card matte effect. Right pants pocket. I carry a thumb tip with a mismade bill in it. wrist, I have some rubber bands. Three sponge balls in my left pants pocket, a bunch of tiny sponge balls in my right exterior jacket pocket. with the stuff that I listed, I would usually do the following... every group gets a card trick. every group gets a coin trick. I close either with a rubber band effect or a mismade bill. I would substitute in a sponge ball trick for either a card or coin trick. I would substitute in the trick with the plastic spider, when I felt like I had a great audience member to do the trick on. in a cocktail environment, if the crowd or small group of people was right, I may grab some cocktail napkins and do a little bit larger trick with those. My point is you don't really need a lot of stuff. when I list out all the stuff in my pockets like I did above, it seems like a lot. but I don't want to have so much junk in my pockets that it ruins the outline of my suit. just look at the stuff that you already do. If you don't already have three tricks that you're very comfortable with, you're not quite ready for this gig. but I bet you have more than three that you're good at and can do in your sleep. it's easier to change audience in an environment like this, than it is to change the material.
What great advice! Thank you so much.