Teaching

Hello Friends and Wizards! My name is Stonewick, and I hope this Museletter finds you well.

The subject of this short essay is Teaching. At some point, most, (if not all) of us, have taught a simple trick to a young relative, or maybe even taught magic in a more formal and structured setting. When we do this, we become The Sage.

Jeff McBride often refers to the Four Archetypes of the Magician РThe Trickster, The Sorcerer, The Oracle and The Sage. The Sage is many things: Philosopher, Writer, Historian, Collector and Enthusiast. But the Sage is perhaps, most importantly, a mentor and a teacher. Think Eugene Burger or Ren̩ Lavand, for example.

I have been a public high school teacher for 20 years. I also sponsor an after-school magic club, so I am in the role of teacher every day, and magic mentor every Tuesday afternoon.

As such, I would like to take this opportunity to share some of the things I have learned from my time as a high school teacher and magic mentor. It is my hope that the following ten points will be helpful to all of us in that role of mentor or teacher.

1. Welcoming attitude: New students are often nervous. They have thousands of questions. Not the least of which is,” Am I up for this?” Or, “Am I going to look like a fool?” By welcoming our students warmly, we put them at ease and help them to get off to a good start.
2. Meet students where they are: Sometimes it’s hard to remember that our students have not yet crossed the same rivers we have. They are inexperienced in some areas, and may even be a little immature in others. That’s okay. It’s important to keep in mind that just because we may know a concept or technique so well it has become part of our DNA, this same technique or idea may be completely foreign and difficult to the student.
3. Know who they are outside of the learning environment: Having awareness of a student’s home life and other interests can really help us bring out the best in them, on multiple levels.
4. Recognize strengths and areas for improvement: It is vitally important to have an understanding of what the student is, and is not ready for. We may have planned a powerful and dazzling lesson, but we must always be flexible, and ready to drop that plan and move over to something more basic. We can always come back to that amazing lesson later.
5. High bar of expectation: If we accept mediocrity, then no one wins, and we have done an unfortunate disservice to our art and profession. Not only that, but we have cheated the student. After all, we promised to make a wizard out of them, and all we have taught the student to do is imitate a puzzle he or she was shown the solution to. No, no! Make it clear that magic is not easy, and the goal is excellence. Start with something that requires little or no technical skill, and teach the student to rock the presentation. Encourage the student to come up with a frame and script that reflects the student’s own interests and passions.
6. Take it seriously: If we approach our task without some degree of seriousness, we run the risk of trivializing the craft. For example, at my school I sponsor an after-school magic club. One day, one of the students brought in a non-member. He said his friend missed the bus and was going to catch a ride with him later. Well, we deal with secrets here. No exposure. So, I insisted his friend find another place to hang out until we were finished. Harsh? Maybe. But it was, as we like to say in the industry, a “teaching moment.” One which I hope they all placed into their back pockets.
7. Unconditional encouragement: Like learning to play an instrument, paint or write poetry, artistic endeavors often seem impossible for a long time. It can be easy to give up on ourselves. We need encouragement. We need to see that someone we know has fought these same battles, and come out on the other side. We also need to know that our teachers will never give up on us.
8. Show passion: Passion is contagious. I love watching Bob Ross paint his amazing landscapes. I don’t paint. So why would I care? I think it’s because watching someone do and share what they love is intrinsically fascinating. When we show passion for what we do, we automatically create interest.
9. Humility: Humility is vitally important for several reasons. Sometimes the best thing a teacher can say is,” I don’t know, but let’s explore that thread and see where it takes us.” “I don’t know” demonstrates the fact that we are never done learning. And it’s a great motivator to learn something new. And this new knowledge makes us better at what we do.
10. Don’t underestimate your influence: When we become teachers or mentors, like it or not, we become influential. What is important to us–how we behave, and how we treat others–will in some way be reflected in the lives of our students. We may not imagine that we are a big deal, but we are!

One more point I’d like to make. As we all know, magic is often a solitary enterprise. Eugene Burger tells us,” In the deepest sense, a student must learn to be his or her own teacher”.

So, when we are struggling with that classic pass, writing our scripts or trying to stay focused on the thousand finer points of theatrical presentation, it’s good to remind ourselves that performing magic well is really hard! Let’s not neglect to be nice to ourselves. Let’s promise to be patient with, and encourage ourselves. Let’s not forget to be our own good teachers!

Magic – Healing, Motivation and Inspiration

Magic is more than tricks. 
Magic changes people’s lives and makes the world a better place. I know in my heart that magic can change our world. I’ve seen it happen; now you can too! Just take a look at the following clips and see how!

Can Magic save the world?
Yes, yes, yes!!!   I think magic can help heal the wounds of our world, and if you just watch a few of the following clips you will open yourself to the amazing work many magicians are doing to heal our world right now.

The College of Magic in South Africa does amazing work with young people, and teaches them life lessons that they will use to empower their lives.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsGb76vgfKw

Magicians Without Borders
Watch wizard Tom Verner take his magic to refugee camps around the world in places that so need magic.
http://www.magicianswithoutborders.com

Magic and Medicine at McBride Magic & Mystery School
Here, we explore the connection between magic & the healing arts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0-I2dCXPws

Magic and Healing with Jeff McBride and the Las Vegas Magic Stars.
Watch this short clip of some of our outreach work during our recent China tour.
https://vimeo.com/227517958

Project Magic – David Copperfield
David really started something great. Now there are people all over the world using magic in hospitals to help heal physical and emotional trauma.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kvvilci-KNQ

The Healing of Magic
Kevin Spencer also has a program that combines the healing arts with magic therapy.
https://www.spencersmagic.com/healing-of-magic/

Do you want to become a part of the magical solution?
…join us for our next major event:

The Magic & Meaning Conference — Las Vegas October 24-27, 2018
For over 25 years I’ve been sharing my passion for magic with people from all walks of life.

For more information on how you can participate in Magic & Meaning go here:
http://www.magicalwisdom.com/events#560

Book of the Month
Steve Spill has a real winner with his new book. Just get it and learn from one of the top pros of our time.  Steve has great ideas and philosophy, and he is a wonderful storyteller.

Student of the Month: Derek Selinger

I’ve been working with Derek for over 15-years, and have seen him use his magical talents to raise funding for major charities across the world. His show The Gift shows us that magic can be more than mere tricks… Magic is a way to inspire and change the world we live in.
More info here: https://derekselinger.com

World Tour News:

August: I will see many of you at Magic Live! in Las Vegas.

September: I return to LONDON, (shhhh it’s for a big surprise, soon to be announced!)

I’ll also be featured in a special McBride Magic Experience in Indianapolis and at the annual Houdini Club Convention in Appleton, Wisconsin. You can sign up early for the super-session that ends that convention here. http://www.magicalwisdom.com/events#595

WONDERGROUND News!

Why the hell do we do this every month???

Because we love you! Come be part of the biggest magic party in Vegas. 3 all new shows!

Thursday, July 19, 2018
Strolling magic with the WONDERGROUND PLAYERS
Doors open at 7:30pm

8 PM: The Las Vegas Comedy Magic Show
Host – Abigail McBride
Charlie Mount – Sorcery & Surprise
William Draven – Man of Mystery
Tim Wise – The Magical Host of WONDERGROUND
Anthem and Aria – Empower-tainment!

9 PM: Close-Up Magic Gala
Will Bradshaw is your Host
William Draven – at the Table
Charlie Mount – Mysteries from the East.
Tim Wise – Direct from The Magic Castle
Anthem and Aria – 2 Minds with a Single Thought
Kent Axell – Close-up Wizardry
Steelfyre and Kent Axell at THE WONDER-BAR

10 PM: The Magic & Variety Extravaganza
Tim Wise is your Host
Luna Shimada – Scintillating Sorceress
Tim Wise – Escape from Reality
Draven and Phan – Nailed it!
Charlie Mount – Sophisticated Deceptions.
Anthem and Aria – Music & Magic
Will Bradshaw – New Magic Enchantments!
Nathan Phan – Magic Impressions

Luna Shimada is featured at this month’s Wondergroumd

All of the above, PLUS:

Photography by Sheryl Garrett. Bar Magic with Kent Axell, Scott Steelfyre & Maggie, Corey Rubino, Taylor Lloyd, Jordan Rooks, New World Rythmatism Belly Dancers, Psychic Sideshow with Morganne and Chloe – and many more surprises and special celebrity guests

Be inspired,

Jeff

The New Faces of Magic

Dear Friends:

“Jeff McBride changed my life & magic, he can change yours!”

 –Aaron Crow, AGT star

See Aaron Crow on AMERICA’S GOT TALENT

I can never tell who of my students will “make it big” in this business. Every year one or two seem to “break through” the crowd. It is a joy to be a part of one of my student’s successes.

This month Aaron Crow is featured on America’s Got Talent.

I met Aaron 15 years ago, and we worked on his Samurai act, as well as The Bowman. If you have not seen these amazing dare-devil thrill acts, you can look them up on YouTube. I’ve coached Aaron for many years, and also consulted and written for his full evening theater show.

Aaron has taken these pieces around the world, and now he is here in the USA to mystify and amaze us. See him! If you want to see who is hot in the world of magic, go to “The Winners’ Circle” and meet some of my star students–the next one could be you!
http://www.magicalwisdom.com/winners

Romany the Diva of Magic is making waves in the USA and the UK.

Her new book Spun Into Gold is making the best seller lists all over the world.

Now you can read all about her success. Romany is this month’s guest for the muse letter.

What is YOUR Mystical Magical Quest?

By Romany

Ever since I was little, my Quest was – IS – to stand in the magical spotlight on stage, entertaining a beautiful audience. I knew that spotlight was pure magic and I wanted to be in it. I wanted – I want - to share my heart with the watchers in the dark. And so it began. Forty years of reaching towards that elusive spotlight.

But you know, a Quest takes us on a path that we could never have dreamed of – a path we might never have signed up for if we knew what dark forests it might take us through. Our dream draws us on, through the difficult and the wonderful, though the dark night and glorious day.

I am writing to you from my suite on a 6-star cruise ship. Last week I was headlining at the Magic Castle. I’ve just performed for Prince Charles and you can hear a 30-minute BBC World Service radio documentary following me developing a new act – with a guest appearance by Jeff McBride! – HERE.  I’m extremely honored to be on the cover of VANISH magic magazine in July, on a Genii cover in the near future, and have just been booked to do my 45-minute solo show at the 2019 Genii Convention in Orlando. If you’re going, I look forward to meeting you there!

I say this NOT to boast but to say that wishes DO come true if you keep persistently true to your Quest.

My very honest book about my life’s journey to become a professional magician called Spun Into Gold: The Secret Life of a Female Magician is out on Amazon now. I’d love you to read it. It’s getting great reviews which you can read HERE, but more importantly, readers report that it’s inspiring them to take action on their own dreams again. Some are going to sign up for Jeff’s Masterclass!

I received the most precious hand-written letter last week, which made every hour of two-years of work on the book worthwhile. It was from a magic friend who has very sadly recently lost her husband and best friend of many years. “Since he died,” she wrote, “I have been drifting, heartbroken and uncertain what to do next. I read your book and loved it. Your story made me realize that it is possible for good things to happen again.”

Well, that’s it for me right there. If my book can serve to comfort and inspire, my gratitude for that opportunity is absolute, and my drive to get my book out into the world is motivated by my wish that it will do the same for many more people who need to hear that much more is possible than we ever imagine. As Eugene always said, “We are the Magicians of our own lives.” If YOU are the magician, what magic will you create, starting today? Starting now?

As you’ll read, my journey has not all been glitter. Some of it hasn’t had much sparkle at all – but my Quest led me to meet Jeff, Abigail and Eugene, to find Mystery School, love, loss and many weird and wonderful adventures! As I keep following my path to create a magic act good enough for Broadway, no doubt it will take me on many more. I’d love you to follow me by visiting www.romanymagic.com or @magicromany on Instagram. I’d love to hear how YOU are following your own dreams, bringing that special magic to the world that only you can.

What is YOUR Quest? Where will it take you?

Top tips to reach your dream!

•    Pin a card saying, “I can and I will. Watch me!” to your fridge.

•    Pin another saying “Believe and act as if it were impossible to fail.”

•    Notice the people whose eyes light up when you talk about your dream. Those are the people you keep. (Like Jeff!)

•    Take naps when you get discouraged. Everything is always brighter after a nap!

Thank you, Jeff for inviting me to write to your wonderful friends. I am so grateful to you for your teaching, inspiration and friendship. Hoorah!

May your path be filled with Love and MAGIC!

Romany

WONDERGROUND NEWS
Thursday June 21 doors open at 7:30pm

8 pm: host Tim Wise
Charly D’Carlo – The Rising star of Magic
Michael Mirth – From the Magic Castle in Hollywood
Chris Britt – Magical Musings
Jordan Rooks – Millennial Mysteries
Jeff McBride – Houdini Outdone!!

9:15 pm: host Will Bradshaw
Nino Maiani – The Pirate Magician!
David Ramey – From the Magic Castle
Michael Mirth – The Artistry of Mystery
Chris Britt – The Magic Storyteller
Charly D’Carlo – Master of Close-up Magic

At the WONDERBAR – Jeff McBride, Tim Wise, Kent Axell

10 pm: host Jeff McBride
Jeff McBride presents – Masks of the Mystic
Nathan Phan – He gives us Wings!
Charly D’Carlo – Illusions of Wonder
Rene Delgadillo – Salsa Magic!
Nathan Phan – Escape from Reality
Chris Randall – The World Championship Act

All of the above, plus:

Photography by Sheryl A. Garrett. Bar Magic with Zack Pattee, Scott Steelfyre & Maggie, Corey Rubino, Taylor Lloyd, New World Rythmatism Belly Dancers, Psychic Sideshow with Morganne– and many more surprises and special celebrity guests

The Bigger Picture

Dear friends:

Tobias here, writing while Jeff and Abigail are back on the East Coast, celebrating at “The Rites of Spring,” an annual gathering that has been going on for 40 years. As they travel, I’m finishing up work on my new book Beyond Applause, all about how to manage and market a successful business as a magician or other independent performer. I thought I’d share two of the main ideas from the book with you today, in hopes they might inspire you, not only in your magic, but in your business, and even in your life.

The two ideas are these:

1. Success begins with knowing your purpose.
2. It helps to view things–whether those things are tricks, shows or businesses—as systems.

Let’s start with the first. Why do you need a purpose?

Because if you don’t know your purpose, you’ll simply wander about, like Alice, going nowhere in particular. In fact, many great stories are all about the protagonist finding his or her purpose. Once you’ve discovered the purpose of something, you’ll know how to make that thing a success, and how to measure that success. Purpose gives meaning and value.

It’s easy to talk about purpose, and having a need for one—but not always so easy to actually define that purpose in a way that is both inspiring and actionable. One of the great secrets of designing a business, or show, is clarifying the purpose of that thing. A general purpose can be almost as useless as having no purpose at all. “I want to work to solve world poverty,” is just such a general purpose. It sounds noble, and I salute those who want to do that.

However, “I work to lift villages in India out of their extreme poverty by empowering the people, and particularly women, in those villages to start small businesses. I do this by offering microloans and access to basic business education.” That’s a purpose stated in such a way we can take action on it. If you want money for that purpose, I know what I’m investing in, and I’ll know how to measure your success.

So—that’s just a bit of why purpose is so important, and why I spend a whole chapter in the book on how to discover and clarify your own purpose.

The second idea is that of seeing your business, or trick, or show, as a system. Here’s a segment from the book I particularly liked:

Systems Thinking
I find it useful to think of a business as a living system… a puppy, for example. The puppy’s “product” is the joy she provides her owners. But she can only do that if she is healthy and happy. For that, she needs to be fed regularly. She needs to be bathed, walked, and kept out of danger. She may need regular visits to a veterinarian for shots, vaccinations, etc. She may need training so that she knows what her owners expect of her, and what will make them happy. When people buy pets, they often fail to think of all the expense and responsibility they are taking on. When they don’t feel that the benefit provided by the puppy outweighs all the expense, the deal is not a success. Over time, the owner’s and the puppy’s assessments of whether the relationship is successful or not will shift.

Like that puppy, your business needs your attention to all it’s different needs. If you remember to feed your puppy, but never bathe her, you’ll have problems. If you train her to sit and to roll over on command, but fail to house train her… well, you won’t be getting the maximum enjoyment from that puppy. Your business is the same. It needs you to pay attention to all its different parts and needs in order for it to thrive. Failure to attend to any one of those needs can bring the rest tumbling down, even if all the other aspects are excellent.

It may be easier to see how the systems approach applies to a business, than a particular piece of magic or a show, but I assure you, it does. We’ve all seen an otherwise wonderful piece of magic ruined because the performer makes a bad joke while performing it, or sets up an expectation that doesn’t get resolved. That’s because that particular piece is a kind of organic system, with all the different parts affecting all of the other parts. One of the first rules of directing is that everything matters. The words, the story, the quality of movement, the tone you set, the character of your props—everything! Because it’s all part of the system, and once you’ve learned to see it in that way, you’ll know how to make it better!

Thanks for taking the time to come with me on this little journey of the mind. I hope you find it helpful! Beyond Applause will be out sometime in June—and we’ll be letting you know where you can find it just as soon as it does.

In the meantime, let me draw your attention to some of our news here at the Magic & Mystery School.

Jeff will be appearing this week for a show, lecture and workshop at Smoke & Mirrors magic theater just outside Philadelphia.
Show tickets here: http://smokeandmirrorstheater.com/jeff-mcbride/
Lecture tickets here: http://smokeandmirrorstheater.com/jeff-mcbride-lecture/
Workshop Admission here: http://smokeandmirrorstheater.com/jeff-mcbride-workshop/

At the end of June, we have our second Magic for Beginners Class, taught by Jeff McBride. In the greater world of education, it’s rare for the real masters of a subject to offer their expertise to those just beginning in the pursuit of that. But Jeff taught this class once earlier this year, and really enjoyed it. So, we are offering the class again this last week of June. If you know someone who has just discovered a love of magic and wants to make sure they are on the right path with their studies, please let them know. Send them here to learn more: http://www.magicalwisdom.com/about/magic-for-beginners

Just after that, Jeff and Larry Hass will be hosting Lance Burton’s Teen Seminar at this year’s I.B.M. convention in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Jeff will also be a featured lecturer and is performing on the gala show—and as a special “value added” event, will conduct one of his “Super Session” workshops late Saturday night. Make sure you sign up for that early if you’ll be attending the convention! You can sign up for this in advance by emailing Simone at simone@marrons.us.

That’s all for now. Watch this space for more in just a couple of weeks—and enjoy the summer weather!

Best wishes.
Sincerely,

Tobias Beckwith
Tobias@yourmagic.com