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askinner New user 17 Posts |
Last year I went on an outreach to India with MAGI (Ministry Arts for Global Impact) and performed in front of over 8,000 people during a 2 week visit. This year the ministry is looking for even more performers to take over to South East Asia. They have successfully done this since 1997. It was a life changing experience for both me and many audience members. I have to tell you I had a great time and lots of fun. If you think you might be interested or are just curious, check out the ministry’s web site at http://www.magiinc.org
I'd be happy to answer any questions about my experience or what tricks/routines work over there. One last point - in South East Asia, magicians receive much higher respect and treatment as performers than here in the states and that adds even more to the enjoyment of this kind of adventure. Hope you check it out… |
Cpontz Special user Daupin PA 553 Posts |
This looks really great. Do they want an all gospel magic show, or a general magic show with a couple of gospel tricks and short messages?
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askinner New user 17 Posts |
It is general magic show with a gospel message somewhere in the show. This year I'm doing 80 - 85 percent general magic. Glad to hear your might be interested.
Al |
pastorclyde Special user 576 Posts |
Greetings! After reading your post I emailed MAGIC for more information on the South Asia Tour. I am an ordained pastor, escape aritist, ventriloquist and soloist. I was born the son of a missionary and served a missionary church right out of seminary. I would be interested in a 2-3 week tour there. I'm wonder how much a person has to raise to cover expenses? Any info you can give would be greatly appreciated.
Clyde |
Andini Special user Columbus, OH 685 Posts |
Al, what's it like working in a place that uses a different language from your own?
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askinner New user 17 Posts |
Clyde & Andini,
Let me answer a couple good questions. First India is the largest English speaking country in the world. They were formerly occupied by the British, but they also have many local languages. Most people speak English at various levels. When there is an audience that is not English speaking, an interpreter is provided. If that happens you have to pass your show a little bit slower. Worked out fine for me last year. Regarding the cost. You do have to raise your own support. Previously it was around $3,000. That covers the airfare to India ($1,800 - $2,000), airfare within India and all your expenses except for personal purchases. Toby or Adrian at MAGI can give you the exact details on this. There is talk of it being less this year, but I'm not sure. The tour is 2 weeks and I think there is a 6 week window that you can chose date. The date are being confirmed with the India staff in the next few weeks. Hope you all can join us. AL |
BradBrown Regular user Florence, KY, USA 183 Posts |
I just got back from touring India with MAGI and India Campus Crusade for Christ. This was my 6th trip there, and my 5th working with MAGI. I was there doing magic for 2 weeks. I actually stayed a third week doing unrelated computer work, but that's another story.
In two weeks I did 23 programs for a total of over 19,000 people. (This was an especially busy tour. Usually those numbers are somewhat lower.) Most of the programs were at schools and churches. In addition to presenting the Gospel, these programs also open up a lot of doors for Campus Crusade for Christ to do follow-up work and other programming at the schools. I'd highly recommend this opportunity to any Christian entertainer. If you're at all interested, check into it and see if it might be in God's will for you. This type of tour isn't for everybody, but for some it is a tremendous opportunity and a great blessing. I'm also happy to answer any questions about this. Thanks, Brad |
pastorclyde Special user 576 Posts |
Is there someone who handles your intinerary and connections or are you given a list of places to be once you hit the ground?
Clyde |
BradBrown Regular user Florence, KY, USA 183 Posts |
MAGI takes care of the arrangements at this end, and Campus Crusade for Christ (CCC) takes care of all the in-country arrangements. So everything from logging, meals, and transportation to setting up the programs themselves is all taken care of for you.
Basically, the CCC workers take you where you need to be. You do the show and then have tea with the school or church leadership. (Hospitality is a big deal in India, so the tea time is important. If it's a school that is new to CCC, this is also their opportunity to present CCC's ministry and try to start an on-going relationship.) After that, they'll take you where you need to go next, the next show, or lunch, or whatever. A typical day, if there is such a thing, will have up to three programs. They're really not supposed to arrange more than that, but I have occasionally done four or five in a day. Weekends and travel-days usually have fewer performances. Also, it's common to have light days due to school exams or holidays. (India has a lot of holidays.) -Brad |
askinner New user 17 Posts |
Brad,
Thanks for joining in on this discussion. I heard you all had a great tour this time. Maybe you can share with everyone what types of routines over the years you have found works well with the India audience. Please include comments about "Packs Small, Plays Big". Al |
pastorclyde Special user 576 Posts |
Sharing which routines worked well would be a great help. Also, I assume that you need to be able to travel about with one bag for luggage and one for props?
I sure appreciate your help. My wife and I are praying about this and it is a real possiblity. Thanks, Clyde |
askinner New user 17 Posts |
Clyde,
Regarding the baggage, you are correct. That combo seems to work well. I'll add to your prayers. Al |
BradBrown Regular user Florence, KY, USA 183 Posts |
Al,
It was a great tour. I'm sorry I had to miss out last year when you went. I couldn't make it because I was having issues with my day job. In general, routines to music work well, since there are no language barriers. For patter routines, don't speak to fast and keep it simple. This will make it easy on the translator if you are using one, or easy for your audience, who may have some trouble with your accent. I like to use magic that is very visual with simple plot lines. That way, the audience can follow what's happening even if they are having some difficulty understanding everything I say. Jokes often won't translate, but any sort of visual or situational humor go over well. Audience participation routines work great. It helps to be able to quickly set up and tear down the show. Below is the program I used this year... Miser's Dream What's Next Ring/Rope This is a musical routine that begins with a ring and rope sequence, and ends with a cut and restored rope sequence with a member of the audience. Challenge 50-foot Rope Escape Kid Escape This is an audience participation routine where I tie up a kid from the audience and he magically escapes. (Rope & Tape principle) I skip this if I am doing a show without kids in the audience. Telepath Cards This is a mind reading routine using caards with ESP and other simple symbols. I skip this if there are only elementary school aged kids in the audience. Key-R-Rect Hand Chopper Flexible Mirror 3-ball Gospel Illustration Ribbons This is a musical routine beginning with mouth coils, then red ashes, production of ribbons and finally blend-o-ing them into a 45 inch silk. Kellar Escape Bill in lemon I do a variation of Doug Malloy's Lemon Game. (India has very small golf ball sized lemons, so that affects the routine.) Snowstorm -Brad |
Bob Sanders 1945 - 2024 Magic Valley Ranch, Clanton, Alabama 20504 Posts |
Askinner,
Congratulations! Keep on keeping on! Bob Magic By Sander The Amazed Wiz |
pastorclyde Special user 576 Posts |
Brad,
Thanks for the list. That's a big help. While there, do you travel alone doing a one-man show or are you part of a larger ensemble? Also, would I possibly be visiting the same places or would these be all new places? Finally, I talk a lot during my show. Is that going t be a drawback? For example, here's my rings routine.... http://www.mighellsillusions.com/RingsGospel.wmv Thank you so much for your help! Clyde |
BradBrown Regular user Florence, KY, USA 183 Posts |
On most trips, we go as a group. We do a few combined programs, and then split up and go to different parts off the country. We then meet up again at the end.
This trip was a little different. There were only three of us, Bob and Suzie Zoerman and myself. Bob and Suzie flew straight to South India, and I flew straight to the North. I never even saw them. We've all been on multiple trips, so we were all comfortable with this arrangement. I'm sure they'd never send first timers alone. You'd be part of a group at the beginning. After that, you would be doing a one-man show. (Of course, you can bring your wife or a traveling companion with you.) The CCC staff do a great job of taking care of us while were there. So even when your away from the rest of the group, you'll never be on your own. Campus Crusade decides where to send us. We always have started out at either Bangalore or Delhi. Other than that, I've never been to the same place twice. I believe other people have done the same area more than once. Talking a lot isn't a problem. When I first started going, my normal U.S. show was pretty much all patter. I put together a few musical routines for my first tour, but it was mostly speaking. I still speak a lot in my India program. Just don't talk too fast and keep it simple. Working with an intrepreter does slow things down. You say one thought, wait for the translation, then say your next thought... |
askinner New user 17 Posts |
To everyone that is considering the trip to India.
We now have dates and costs. There will be 3 back to back opportunities. Each trip is 2 weeks. You can go: July 18 - 30 or August 1 - 13 or August 15 - 27. The costs have been broken out differently this year. Project Costs: $600 project fee plus airfare, visa fee's and travel insurance. This could be a good savings over previous years if the airfare is reasonable or you use frequent flyer mileage. Ok if you would like more information, send me a post and I'll either email you back or forward your info to MAGI. Let's GO... Al |
pastorclyde Special user 576 Posts |
Brad,
What did you use for your music? Did you carry your own CD player? Sound System? Tape player? Thanks! Clyde |
BradBrown Regular user Florence, KY, USA 183 Posts |
Clyde,
For the tour, a sound system will be provided, but you will need to provide a player and the cords to hook it up. I bring a 25-foot cord so I can cue the music myself from stage. You can let one of the workers control it for you, if you prefer. You can use any sort of player you like. I currently use a portable minidisk player. Some people burn their music on to CD and bring a Walkman CD player. My first trip or two, I just used cassettes tapes. -Brad |
pastorclyde Special user 576 Posts |
Thanks Brad- that is most helpful. I just emailed Adrian to see what the cutoff is for going on the later August trip. Money will be the factor after that but for now I'm going to make application and go from there. Thanks for all your help!
Clyde |
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