Magical Obligations
We are, as performers ourselves, obligated to a certain set of rules; more so a set code of conduct when we are in a show environment, be it our own show or the show of someone else’s. These rules are much like the rules of the playground. Never written but always understood. Until now.
Being an entertainer isn’t something limited to your twenty minutes on stage. It’s a lifestyle. It’s something that you do both when you are on and off of stage. It’s how you act when are an audience member as well as the one entertaining an audience.
With that being said I’ve noticed in my years of performing that there are a certain unbreakable code of conduct that we should strive to uphold should we consider ourselves with honour. The code that I’ve noticed is:
1) Never reveal your secrets to the spectators.
2) Never repeat the same trick for the same audience, least it has been designed to do that.
3) When in the company of guests, never reveal other magicians secrets, especially true if you are at another magicians performance.
4) Never volunteer to participate in an act, however if chosen never decline to accept.
5) Always do what ever you can to insure the success of another’s act. Start clapping where appropriate even if no one else is, and if selected to participate do what you are told without upstaging the performer.
6) Never speak ill of another entertainer while in mixed company.
7) Never perform at or during another entertainers show, unless asked to by the entertainer as it is rude.
8) If working with other magicians don’t perform the same effects that they are using in their act. Always bring extra material incase you need to side out something.
9) Be a perfect audience member. Clap, whistle and cheer louder than anyone else without getting too out of hand, always respond to audience participation prompts, shut off your cell phone prior to the act starting, don’t talk during the act, and don’t text either.
10) Don’t be disruptive during another’s show.
11) Never use another magicians signature effects, or jokes without their permission!
To be a good entertainer you not only need the technical chops on stage, but off of it as well. Hope this has provided you with some interesting food for thought.
We are, as performers ourselves, obligated to a certain set of rules; more so a set code of conduct when we are in a show environment, be it our own show or the show of someone else’s. These rules are much like the rules of the playground. Never written but always understood. Until now.
Being an entertainer isn’t something limited to your twenty minutes on stage. It’s a lifestyle. It’s something that you do both when you are on and off of stage. It’s how you act when are an audience member as well as the one entertaining an audience.
With that being said I’ve noticed in my years of performing that there are a certain unbreakable code of conduct that we should strive to uphold should we consider ourselves with honour. The code that I’ve noticed is:
1) Never reveal your secrets to the spectators.
2) Never repeat the same trick for the same audience, least it has been designed to do that.
3) When in the company of guests, never reveal other magicians secrets, especially true if you are at another magicians performance.
4) Never volunteer to participate in an act, however if chosen never decline to accept.
5) Always do what ever you can to insure the success of another’s act. Start clapping where appropriate even if no one else is, and if selected to participate do what you are told without upstaging the performer.
6) Never speak ill of another entertainer while in mixed company.
7) Never perform at or during another entertainers show, unless asked to by the entertainer as it is rude.
8) If working with other magicians don’t perform the same effects that they are using in their act. Always bring extra material incase you need to side out something.
9) Be a perfect audience member. Clap, whistle and cheer louder than anyone else without getting too out of hand, always respond to audience participation prompts, shut off your cell phone prior to the act starting, don’t talk during the act, and don’t text either.
10) Don’t be disruptive during another’s show.
11) Never use another magicians signature effects, or jokes without their permission!
To be a good entertainer you not only need the technical chops on stage, but off of it as well. Hope this has provided you with some interesting food for thought.
