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Whitewolfny Loyal user 216 Posts |
Hello Jeff,
I have a couple of your DVDs and I would like to know how you developed your stage character. What inspired you to come up with the moves that you use for the theatrical presence you project? What advice can you offer to someone who would like to develope their own special persona on stage? Do you recommend any books that would be helpful in this area? Thanks for joining us in the Magic Café. Braxton Mannar
Braxton Mannar
<BR>Just an old dog trying to learn new tricks |
Jeff McBride V.I.P. Jeff McBride 246 Posts |
Greetings Braxton,
Your question is a very good one. For me, developing my stage character is an ever evolving process. I feel the most essential ingredient is developing a personal performance style is passion. I have always combined my various passions with my magic. Over the years, I have been training in many areas of the theatrical performance arts. I learned very early on in my career, that it takes more than just tricks to entertain an audience. Here is a list of some of my passions that have influenced my stage work, character, and performance style: Drumming Martial Arts Pantomime Breakdancing Mask theater Quick Change Kabuki Theater Improvisational Theater Asian weapons forms Storytelling Ritual Theater For someone who wants to develop their own special character onstage, I feel it is essential to get expert theatrical training. Many local colleges offer theater courses. One would do well to get a solid background in technical theater as well. A few things that you may want to explore on your way to finding your character are: dance improvisation vocal technique costume design lighting make-up design scriptwriting television production video/sound editing Most magicians are self-taught. Few professional actors, dancers, or musicians are self-taught... If you look at many of today's top magicians, you can see that they have taken professional movement and theater training. Here is my recommended reading list, in fact, these are my favorite books out of my library. You see, Braxton, I have been asked this question many times.... It's not enough just to read the books below, but to put the theory into action and to get professional training. This takes many years. My character is still evolving as I evolve. The books below point the way. I hope to see you one day at one of my shows, classes or workshops, and we can talk more in person! Yours in theatrical magic, Jeff HISTORY/ANTHROPOLOGY The Death and Ressurection Show, Rogan Taylor A Dictionary of Theater Anthropology, Eugenio Barba & Nicola Savarese The Annals of Conjuring, Sidney W. Clark The Silence of Chung Ling Soo, Todd Karr Net of Magic, Lee Siegel INSPIRATION/ART/CREATIVITY The Mission of Art, Alex Grey Creativity is Forever, Gary A. Davis Awakening the Hidden Storyteller, Robin Moore Story telling & the art of Imagination, Nancy Mellon The Golden Book of Magic, Clayton Rawson Art & Magic, S. H. Sharpe PERFORMANCE/ TRAINING The Experience of Magic, Eugene Burger The Performance of Close-Up Magic, Eugene Burger Mastering the Art of Magic, Eugene Burger Spirit Theater, Eugene Burger Strange Ceremonies, Eugene Burger The Secret Ways of Al Baker, edited by Todd Karr Roy Benson By Starlight, Levent & Todd Karr Encyclopedia of Impromptu Magic, Martin Gardner Thayer Quality Magic, vol. 3, compiled by Glenn Gravatt Greater Magic, John Northern Hilliard Original Magic, Marconick Foundations, Eberhard Riese The Art of Magic, Carl Waldman & Joe Layden Maximum Entertainment, Ken Weber PSYCHOLOGY/PHILOSOPHY Magic & Meaning, Eugene Burger & Robert E. Neale Influence, the Psychology of Persuasion, Robert Cialdini Mystery School Book, Jeff McBride & Eugene Burger The Principles of Magic, Richard Osterlind Beyond Secrets, Jay Sankey The Art of Worldly Wisdom – Balthazar Gracian SOCIAL/ BUSINESS Dale Carnegie's Golden Book, Dale Carnegie The Art of Business, Stan Davis & David McIntosh The Art of Mingling, Jeanne Martinet The Underdog Advantage, David Morey and Scott Miller The Golden Rule of Schmoozing, Aye Jaye Highway to Success, Elliott Smith & Ian Quick H&R magic books 281-540-7229 HTTP://www.magicbookshop.com Ask for Richard Hatch..Please say “hello” to him for me! Bryon Walker in San Leandro, California. He has a large inventory and reasonable prices. Unfortunately, he has no computer! His phone number is 510-276-1854. Other dealers worth contacting include Andy Greget (also no computer, 602-404-3100) Dan Bradbury 816-531-2468
Let's keep in touch! I would love to send you my free, inspirational MUSE-LETTER. SIgn up here:
<BR>http://www.mcbridemagic.com/join/ <BR> <BR>Creator of [url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxHcwrL6lZU]The McBride Magic and Mystery |
Matthew W Inner circle New York 2456 Posts |
Thank you for posting that list, Jeff. I going to definitely look at some of those books.
-Matt
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Whitewolfny Loyal user 216 Posts |
Hi Jeff, thanks so much for the answer. I have a couple of the books and I look forward to reading some of the others you listed.
Braxton Mannar
<BR>Just an old dog trying to learn new tricks |
Ricahato Regular user denver 113 Posts |
Please Jeff Don't forget Beyond Deception from Tobias Beckwith,
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