Have you ever seen a magician who seems to effortlessly captivate their audience, no matter who they’re performing for?
Like many magicians, I came up in magic through the magic clubs. It was my first experience meeting and learning from other magicians. I quickly realized that some magicians rarely performed except for family and friends. Still, others were more interested in other areas of magic, like deep learning of sleights or collecting magic apparatus.
Almost immediately, I was drawn to a few magicians who always raised their hands when it was time to step to the front of the room and perform something. They were confident and engaging, and their magic was always strong and well thought out. But the part I liked best was the incredible reaction they would get, even in a room of magicians! I soon found out that these guys were known as The Workers.
A worker is a magician who regularly performs their magic for real people… among many other things. They have honed their craft to the point where they can deliver an entertaining performance every time, in any situation. They have the experience, skills, and expertise to adapt their presentation to any audience and can guarantee the outcome of their performance every time. In other words, they can make magic real for the muggles!
Beyond Tricks and Illusions: Why Every Magician Should Aim to be a Worker
It doesn’t matter how often you perform or for what type of audience; every magician should strive to be a worker. While it’s no secret that magic takes practice and dedication to master, the rewards of performing for real audiences and creating unforgettable experiences are well worth that effort. Not to mention the benefits of being a worker, such as increased confidence, versatility, and the ability to command higher fees. With a combination of hard work, creativity, and business savvy, you can develop your skills and build a successful career in magic, whether as a side hustle or as a full-time business. So, are you ready to take the first step toward becoming a worker? Let’s dive in!
Launch Your Worker Journey from Where You Stand.
The first step is to develop one strong, flexible routine with a lot of broad appeal. That means it is interactive, easy to follow, and flexible enough to be used anywhere. The handling has been simplified as much as possible, and every word, move, and gesture has been thought out and chosen for a specific purpose. A trick or a routine like this is called a worker because it’s practical and adaptable. Part of that adaptability is that it is easy to transport, set up, reset, and break down. It can be performed for any audience, making it a versatile tool in a magician’s arsenal. These routines can be hard to find because they have been named classics! 😉 and magicians are bored with them, but real audiences rarely see them.
Once you have rehearsed this routine thoroughly on your own, it needs flight time in front of real people, where it is tested and refined until perfection. This is the important part. It needs to be done in front of different audiences, not family and friends…or other magicians. This can be difficult if you are not already a worker because you don’t have a steady flow of gigs yet. There will be much more on this topic as we move along.
Build a Collection of Remarkable Routines
This collection will form your performance repertoire. Once you have a small group of routines and effects that fit most criteria, you are on your way to developing an Everywhere Act. This well-rehearsed, flexible act will form the backbone of your working repertoire. I can express enough how vital repetition with the same act is. Every great act has had tons of practice, rehearsal, and repetition.
Part of being a worker is having a complete act that you can perform at a moment’s notice. Time and effort must be taken to perfect this act with repetitions in front of different audiences. This act does not have to rely on difficult sleights or routines, but the entertainment value is paramount.
"The Tricks Do Not the Worker Make."
Next, it’s time to put your skills to the test in real-world settings. There is no stronger magic power than experience. A worker has performed and has enough experience to understand the practicalities of performing magic in the real world.
They know what works and what doesn’t and have the skills and expertise to adapt to any situation. They can read the audience and adjust their performance accordingly. They can perform for any audience, whether a small group of friends or a large corporate event.
Most importantly, a worker is constantly learning and evolving, staying current on the latest trends and techniques in the world of magic. They make an effort to keep current on the latest trends and techniques in the industry by attending conventions, workshops, and lectures.
Part Show, Mostly Business
Being a worker is about more than just performing well. It’s also about having a well-thought-out marketing strategy and knowing the business side of show business. Workers understand that show business is more than half business. They know how to create a professional image. They have websites and promotional materials that are well-designed and informative. But most importantly, they know how to price themselves appropriately and negotiate effectively.
Becoming a worker is a rewarding journey that requires dedication, hard work, and the passion to create unforgettable experiences for real-world audiences. By honing your skills, perfecting your act, and mastering the business side of show business, you can become a professional who takes your craft seriously and delivers an entertaining performance every time.
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