Showmanship for magicians™

---

The Showmanship For Magicians™ curriculum has been built upon The Performance Feedback form used  as a tool by The Omaha Magical Society - providing a structure around the sharing of magic performance feedback.

With an introductory class included, there are twenty-two classes in the total curriculum with one class per item of focus on the feedback form.

Each class contains an instructional video for the topic of focus for that particular class as well as a video that teaches a magic trick to give the student an opportunity to practice the component of the feedback form under discussion.

You may download a copy of the feedback form by clicking the button below.

While your group is proceeding through the Showmanship For Magicians curriculum, be sure that they’re also receiving the showmanship essays delivered weekly to their email inbox.

Use the website https://davearch.com/showmanship to have each member of the class register.

You might even wish to incorporate these essays as part of your classes with each person bringing their best idea to share with the rest of the group from an essay s/he recently has received. 

Click on the photo to the left (or above if on your device) to download the cover photo - printing it in color and inserting it into  the transparent sleeve on the front of a  1/2" white three-ring binder for each student.                                                                                             

Handout Download Link: https://davearch.com/Showmanship_Intro.pdf

Class Video Link: https://vimeo.com/808334269/4b9d59034c

Magic Trick Link: Ten Count Warm-Up https://vimeo.com/299444974/397c070464   

This magic trick was selected for illustrating the definition of the word "showmanship" in that it takes something ordinary (two quarters) and turns them into something extraordinary through the portrayal of a behind-the-scenes look into the secret world of magicians and how they warm up prior to a performance. 

It also serves as the beginning of a multi-phase coin routine that will take at least five classes to completely learn.                                                                                                     

Handout Download Link: https://davearch.com/Eye_Contact.pdf

Class Video Link:  https://vimeo.com/808371571/0c6b1307c3

Magic Trick Link:  Coin Catch Warm-Up https://vimeo.com/299570955/3b47555c73  

Building on the previous trick the magician now accelerates his/her warm-up with FOUR quarters.  The temptation to consistently look down when performing this trick is very real.  Consequently, the emphasis on eye contact will be particularly pertinent.

After learning this routine, be sure and have the students practice transitioning from the first trick to the second trick as the full routine begins to come together.                                                                                                   

Handout Download Link: https://davearch.com/Voice_Projection.pdf

Class Video Link:  https://vimeo.com/808407759/3060554dbc

Magic Trick Link:  Three Coin Trick https://vimeo.com/299794659/5500be5b40 

This class begins the learning of The Three Coin Trick.  This multi-phase routine will take at least three classes to learn with each phase teaching the student another sleight.  This class gives the basics of what's known as the "Two In The Hand And One In The Pocket" plot.  Once taught . . .  time in class might be well spent brainstorming other items besides coins that might make for other suitable presentations.

Handout Download Link: https://davearch.com/Scripting_Story_Telling.pdf

Class Video Link:  https://vimeo.com/808464813/b6fd7373c8

Magic Trick Link:  Three Coin Trick https://vimeo.com/299794659/5500be5b40 

This class continues the learning of The Three Coin Trick.  This class gives the basics of what's known as the "The Shuttle Pass."  There should be time in this class to go back to the first class in this series and bring whole coin routine forward - again brainstorming the story that's going to go with the routine.

I use the question "Do you think it matters what a parent names a child?"  Do people live out their names?  I believe it does if for no other reason than what you're about to see.  Someone named this trick 'The Three Coin Trick.'   It tends to constantly lives up to its name.  Let me show you."

Handout Download Link: https://davearch.com/Vulnerability.pdf

Class Video Link: https://vimeo.com/808784635/b2fc67607f

Magic Trick Link:  Three Coin Trick https://vimeo.com/299794659/5500be5b40 

This class concludes the learning of The Three Coin Trick.  This class also presents the basics of what's known as the "The Click Pass." 

Taking time to discuss how each student is going to use the full routine (from the first class until now) to reveal some part(s) of himself/herself so each one grasps the importance of including a piece of vulnerability in their work.

It's almost like a mini graduation as each student gets a chance to perform the full routine containing all that they've learned since their first class.  Hopefully this will give them a sense of accomplishment - giving them motivation for that which is yet to come in the next phase of the curriculum.

Handout Download Link: https://davearch.com/Stage_Fright.pdf

Class Video Link:  https://vimeo.com/808801993/77853077d5

Magic Trick Link: Si Stebbins Multiple Mind Reading:  https://vimeo.com/301120929/03f7d764f9

Performing a magic trick depending on the Si Stebbins stack in one's living room is quite different than performing the same trick on a stage while seeking to remember the stack.  Hence this is a good magic as the backdrop for exploring the subject of stage fright.  

Once the basics of the stack are learned by the students the fun begins - creating variations that will play to the largest crowd to a crowd of one.

Handout Download Link: https://davearch.com/Attitude.pdf

Class Video Link:  https://vimeo.com/809376413/e86621d4b1

Magic Trick Link:   Si Stebbins Multiple Mind Reading https://vimeo.com/360366502/d5a77a4722

We're taking another class on the practicing of this mind reading trick so each student can not only get the mechanics in their long-term memory but also find their style for delivering the presentation. in an entertaining manner.

How about not being able to discern someone's card and passing them by - saving them for the end?  Or having everyone who has a card stand up and when the magician guesses correctly, they must sit down until only one is standing?

Don't forget to go back over the Performer's Feedback Form to provide feedback from numbers 1-6.

Handout Download Link: https://davearch.com/Audience_Participation.pdf

Class Video Link: https://vimeo.com/809383922/cf572e082f

Magic Trick Link:  Psychic Ability Testing https://vimeo.com/301120929/03f7d764f9

With one person from the audience  having their psychic abilities tested and five other people standing in the audience to receive two cards each from the volunteer, they then can sit down in unison if they have been handed one red and one black card.  Now that's an applause cue if ever there was one!

What might the performer use to get the psychic juices working in the volunteer?  Some weird music or binaural tones?

Be sure to spend time on the false shuffle taught on this video as it has many applications.

Handout Download Link: https://davearch.com/Instructional_Clarity.pdf

Class Video Link: https://vimeo.com/811068186/5871cf85de

Magic Trick Link:   Spirit Writings https://vimeo.com/showcase/10251094 

Password: spooky

In this video showcase, you'll  have SEVEN different methods of apparently producing spooky writing on little business-size cards.

Select the ones that you'd enjoy teaching and also use to emphasize the feedback form focus for the class.

Handout Download Link: https://davearch.com/Managing_Difficult_Audience_Members.pdf

Class Video Link: https://vimeo.com/811121523/98dd32e739

Magic Trick Link:  Spirit Writings https://vimeo.com/showcase/10251094

password: spooky 

Again you'll be using the spooky writing showcase from the previous class to teach yet another method for producing spooky writing.  

This time you might consider selecting one in which you could illustrate what to do when a volunteer makes a mistake in what you want him/her to do or becomes overly aggressive in their desire to examine the props.

Handout Download Link: https://davearch.com/Recovering_From_A_Mistake.pdf

Class Video Link: https://vimeo.com/812938442/607c564f01

Magic Trick Link:   Gypsy Eradication Ritual https://vimeo.com/302726599/02e68ac2c5

Magic Trick Link:  Ritual Reading Paper:  https://davearch.com/gypsy

Brainstorm how each person might recover if one of the participants make a mistake in following directions and the trick didn't end as intended . . . or worse yet the reader didn't read it correctly - causing everyone's ceremony to not end as desired.

Handout Download Link: https://davearch.com/Effective_Rehearsal.pdf

Class Video Link: https://vimeo.com/812969836/fe1d060cb8

Magic Trick Link:   Blister Voodoo https://vimeo.com/303846030/f6b3212005

Use the steps discussed in the class about Effective Rehearsal as each person presents the trick and is taken through the Effective Rehearsal Equation to feel how their confidence grows through each repetition.

Handout Download Link: https://davearch.com/Technical_Precision.pdf

Class Video Link: https://vimeo.com/818000686/1a1c897945

Magic Trick Link:   Crazy Man Handcuffs.  https://vimeo.com/301115844/cbb8c8dafd

Building on the previous lesson regarding Effective Rehearsal, Crazy Man Handcuffs does require a focus on technical precision without even beginning to think about what your presentation might be.

Handout Download Link: https://davearch.com/Prop_Management.pdf

Class Video Link: https://vimeo.com/816653102/e3285e2100

Magic Trick Link:   Rubber Band Through Deck. https://vimeo.com/301125608/6635ab8a26

BONUS VIDEO (Creating Set Lists):  https://vimeo.com/816667084/9bf189f335

Combine the Rubber Band Through Deck trick with the previous Crazy Man Handcuffs as you discuss the most efficient placement of all props involved both before and after they've been in use.

If you don't plan to  use the Bonus Video. on the subject of Creating Setlists in the lesson on Routining, this might be a place to use it with its particular emphasis on Close-Up Magic.

Handout Download Link: https://davearch.com/Music.pdf

Class Video Link: https://vimeo.com/815145018/ed3781c881

Magic Trick Link:   Broken and Restored Rubber Band https://vimeo.com/301114482/6785f24682

After working through the class video and the handout, what genre of music would they most likely select for the broken and restored rubber band and why?

You might also encourage them to watch a late night talk show some evening and note particularly where they use music and what type of music do they use.  They're the professionals.

Handout Download Link: https://davearch.com/Character.pdf

Class Video Link: https://vimeo.com/815387656/b0779e23b8

Magic Trick Link:   Laser Cards https://vimeo.com/303846628/288c676d81

Work together with the students to use the multiple choice worksheet on the handout to help each student define the adjectives they wish to use in defining the person they wish to portray to the audience while they're performing on stage.  Then work with. them on the Laser Card trick to help them think through how they're going to demonstrate those character qualities in their presentation.

Handout Download Link: https://davearch.com/Costuming.pdf

Class Video Link: https://vimeo.com/817405128/1daa70e2d1

Magic Trick Link:    Laser Cards https://vimeo.com/303846628/288c676d81

Based on the description of their performing character how would they ideally costume themself for the Laser Cards trick?   Remember. it might only be a pair of hazmat gloves (or oven gloves) for you holding the deck or some protective gear for the person firing the laser.

Handout Download Link: https://davearch.com/More_Than_Meets_The_Eye.pdf

Class Video Link: https://vimeo.com/780586314/68f9f64480

Magic Trick Link:    Laser Cards https://vimeo.com/303846628/288c676d81

BONUS VIDEO (Creating Setlists):   https://vimeo.com/816667084/9bf189f335

Make sure you break Dan Harlan's lengthy video into bite-sized chunks.  Like filling a glass with water, when you sense the students getting overwhelmed by the content, pause the video and have them tell you in their own words what they just heard him tell them.  Doing this multiple times through the presentation (no longer than twenty minutes at a time) will help them retain his content.

Another option is to watch the video yourself so you can teach it - using the page 5 worksheet in the handout for the students to build their own routines.

And/or use the Bonus Video as an abbreviated (i.e. less detailed) way to approach routining with a specific emphasis on Close-Up Magic.

Handout Download Link: https://davearch.com/Humor.pdf

Class Video Link:   https://vimeo.com/815362350/c498c6b741

Magic Trick Link:   Cards To Pocket https://vimeo.com/301051695/2f77c6e2c0

After helping people determine how to describe their own sense of humor, use Card To Pocket to explore where in the routine they might be able to incorporate that humor.  Spend time on the Buckle Count as it is one of the easiest false count with multiple applications.

Handout Download Link: https://davearch.com/Pacing.pdf

Class Video Link: https://vimeo.com/816355242/adfe7e10b7

Magic Trick Link:  Three Shell Game https://vimeo.com/302355788/1ff5d637fd

Brainstorm the trick The Three Shell Game as to where the performer might wish to slow down, speed up, or pause all together for maximum effect.  A hand towel will or table cloth will oftentimes work as a decent surface for performing this trick.

Handout Download Link: https://davearch.com/Stage_Blocking.pdf

Class Video Link: https://vimeo.com/815340178/1f7b23c0c1

Magic Trick Link:   Laser Cards https://vimeo.com/303846628/288c676d81

As you'll see, we go back to a review of the magic trick Laser Cards to walk our way through the trick with an eye towards proper blocking so as not to prevent the audience from seeing what we want them to see and to not see those movements that we wish to hide (i.e. the banding of the deck).

Handout Download Link: https://davearch.com/Unity.pdf

Class Video Link: https://vimeo.com/815412194/f6bb126910

Magic Trick Link:   Cards To Pocket https://vimeo.com/301051695/2f77c6e2c0

This is the time where we bring it all together.  Does the performer's costume, mannerisms, vocabulary, tone of voice, and routines create a cohesive whole without disparity in what is being presented to the audience.  Cards to pocket is a nearly perfect trick for illustrating various ways of presenting it based on the selected character of the performer.