Seth is a teenage magician who is not sure how to get work performing magic. He asked the Merchant of Magic community for some advice:
My name is Seth and I am letting you know what I am struggling with right now in my magic career. First of all, I am 14 years old and have been doing magic for a few years now. I have performed and placed in a few talent shows in my area. The problem I am having is getting gigs as a teen magician. If you could help me with this I would really appreciate it.
HI Seth
It's great news that you are looking to advance your magic away from private practice, and start performing for the public, but you need to look at the larger picture. There's no rush. At your stage of training, you are still quite young to get much commercial work. The key goal for you is to focus on developing your 'performing style' and technique as you build up sets of working material. There's plenty of time to turn your passion into a business. I don't know you personal situation, but it's likely that you are being supported financially by your parents. That's a situation you only get for a small part of your life ( unless you have a trust fund), so use this time to relax about getting an income from magic. You have no bills to pay, so magic can just be about learning and discovering who you really are. That will push your magic forward far more than any new magic technique or sleight.
That being said, experience is also very important. How do you get experience performing for the public, if you have difficulty getting paid work? For many young magicians, the answer is focusing on magic clubs. At magic clubs (you can be a member of more than one) you can perform in competitions, network with the magic community and take part in open evenings and dinners organised by the club. It's a great way to develop your knowledge of magic and get experience performing for a live audience. Becoming well known in the magic competition world is also a possible gateway to further oppotunities as you become well known.
Another avenue to explore is the volentary sector. Contact local fund raising groups and introduce yourself. Perform at local charity events and nursing/ community homes to gain experience and get your name out locally.
Remember that there is no rush. You can build in paid performances over time, perhaps to suppliment your later study if you decide to go into further education. I funded my university course and lifestyle while a poor student by starting to take on paid gigs. That may be a more appropriate time in your life to start generating an income from you magic. It's very important that you concentrate on your school studies. Perhaps add courses that relate to magic and the performing arts. Also, build as much knowledge as you can about sales and marketing related subjects. Business studies is a good course to consider. You have plenty of time to work on sleight of hand over the years, but only have a small window of time to get the best grades you can with free education. If you perform magic commercially, you become a business owner as well as a performer. Any skills you can learn that will help you there, will give you a competative edge.
Good subjects that relate to magic:
- English
- Maths
- Design and Realisation : Woodwork, Mental and plastic work
- IT
- Drama
- Science
- Business Studies
There are a lot of magicians who neglected their studies to focus on sleight of hand. You have the chance to get great grades, and be taught subjects that will help you in the creative and business side of magic right now, sleight of hand can be added later.
Keep practicing!
– See more at: https://blog.magicshop.co.uk/2013/12/get-work-teen-magician-problems-answers.html#comment-3937
HI Seth
It's great news that you are looking to advance your magic away from private practice, and start performing for the public, but you need to look at the larger picture. There's no rush. At your stage of training, you are still quite young to get much commercial work. The key goal for you is to focus on developing your 'performing style' and technique as you build up sets of working material. There's plenty of time to turn your passion into a business. I don't know you personal situation, but it's likely that you are being supported financially by your parents. That's a situation you only get for a small part of your life ( unless you have a trust fund), so use this time to relax about getting an income from magic. You have no bills to pay, so magic can just be about learning and discovering who you really are. That will push your magic forward far more than any new magic technique or sleight.
The chicken and the egg.
That being said, experience is also very important. How do you get experience performing for the public, if you have difficulty getting paid work? For many young magicians, the answer is focusing on magic clubs. At magic clubs (you can be a member of more than one) you can perform in competitions, network with the magic community and take part in open evenings and dinners organised by the club. It's a great way to develop your knowledge of magic and get experience performing for a live audience. Becoming well known in the magic competition world is also a possible gateway to further oppotunities as you become well known.
Your community.
Another avenue to explore is the volentary sector. Contact local fund raising groups and introduce yourself. Perform at local charity events and nursing/ community homes to gain experience and get your name out locally.
Use your school.
Remember that there is no rush. You can build in paid performances over time, perhaps to suppliment your later study if you decide to go into further education. I funded my university course and lifestyle while a poor student by starting to take on paid gigs. That may be a more appropriate time in your life to start generating an income from you magic. It's very important that you concentrate on your school studies. Perhaps add courses that relate to magic and the performing arts. Also, build as much knowledge as you can about sales and marketing related subjects. Business studies is a good course to consider. You have plenty of time to work on sleight of hand over the years, but only have a small window of time to get the best grades you can with free education. If you perform magic commercially, you become a business owner as well as a performer. Any skills you can learn that will help you there, will give you a competative edge.
Good subjects that relate to magic:
- English
- Maths
- Design and Realisation : Woodwork, Mental and plastic work
- IT
- Drama
- Science
- Business Studies
There are a lot of magicians who neglected their studies to focus on sleight of hand. You have the chance to get great grades, and be taught subjects that will help you in the creative and business side of magic right now, sleight of hand can be added later.
Keep practicing!
Hope this helps you
Do you have any advice for Seth? How should he start out getting experience as a magician? If you faced the same problems as Seth, how did you overcome them?
Share your ideas in the comments section below:
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