Props Can Make Or Break Your Show

As a budding magician it is important to realize that your show doesn’t depend on your skills and talents alone to make it great.  Even the greatest illusionists have to depend on quality props to make their magic happen.  Your props can make or break your show.

Quality props are critical to having your audience believe something incredible just happened.  Defective props can spoil even the greatest magician’s reputation.  Here are some tips when it comes to buying and preserving your props.

First off, you must know your tricks!  Know exactly what you need and when.  Some magician’s like to wing it, and this doesn’t contribute to your overall confidence as a performer.  Make a list of all the props you need for a show and make sure you pack them all.

Next, when at all possible, do not use trick coins or cards.  Mastering tricks using everyday items, such as coins borrowed from a spectator, play the best.  If you use your own coins, the audience will suspect that somehow they are “magic” coins and have been altered in someway.  With some card tricks you must have a special deck to perform, but there are hundreds of card tricks that you can perform using a regular deck.  Get comfortable with these.

Let’s face it magic props are expensive.  If you have done any shopping at a magic store or online, then you know that quality props are pricey.  So take care of your props.  Maintaining them will have them lasting you throughout your whole career and this will save you money.  Also don’t skimp on quality.  You get what you pay for in most cases, so view this as an investment in your career and future.  Unpacking your props after each show and putting them in a safe place will extend the life of your props.  Also, keep them away from any harsh chemicals or products, and out of direct sun or extreme temperatures.

Finally, make sure to inspect your props at the store before you buy them.  Make sure everything is in tact, no loose or missing parts, and have the store clerk do a trick with them to make sure they are solid.

Tagged as: Audience, Card Tricks, Cards Tricks, Confidence, Extreme Temperatures, Harsh Chemicals, Illusionists, Magic Coins, Magic Online, Magic Props, Magic Store, Magician, Quality Props, Reputation, Safe Place, Someway, Spectator, Sun, Tact, Talents