So here is my situation. I have been performing as a professional for many years now in my area of northeastern Ohio. I perform at comedy clubs, a few colleges in the area, birthday party's, restaurants, etc..... By the beginning of this summer I'm interested in branching out of the area. I have heard of magicians working at a few of the big name summer vacation resorts. What is the best way to approach this environment? Is finding an agent better than trying yourself? I have heard of people heading over the boarder into Mexico and being mildly successful? I would really appreciate the help if anyone has a leg up on any of these situations. Thank you very much.

MagicJg,

Danny would probably be the best person to give you advise on this. I believe he does many resorts and clubs.
I know I was offer to perform for a casino in Vegas and another offer for a Casino in Asia they were through an agency. Usually these type of establishments have an agent to deal with all the little details....
But, I know some smaller islands the entertainment manager will book the act...

Almost all of our resort shows have come through an agent or referrals. Cold calling on the resort itself is not always too effective, but has occaisionally worked for us. They tend to receive a mountain of promo packages and videos.

Once you have established yourself with one, they often like to have you return for a number of years. This will mean that you have to be able to create a new show each season for them because they will have a number of repeat guests year after year.

Different resorts require us to entertain different audiences. We create a new 90 minute family show and a new 60 to 90 minute adult show each year for our resort clients. We do not like to repeat any routine or effect over a 4 year cycle. This means that we need 4 to 6 hours of adult material and at least 6 hours of family material as a minimum.

All the best,

Rob

I heard the Bohemien Grove resort outside of San Fransico California is always hiring magicians.

Just google it, shouldn't be hard to locate.

Bohemien Grove

Jason,

Something else to consider. If you are talking about summer resorts in your area of the country, then they will usually have their shows booked by January or February. You will most likely be too late to perform for the summer of 2008 at most.

All the best,

Rob

RJE,
I was afraid that most would be booked out already. Well I can always try. What is the best way to get representation? I have asked the question on this forum before "how do you get an agents attention?". Most of the responses I get are the fact that they do nothing for you. But then when I ask about resorts, ships, whatever, you have to have an agent. If anyone knows the best way to get ones attention, or where to go on the web, I would greatly appreciate it.

That can be the tricky part.

Some resorts will use the same agent to provide all or most of the entertainment. It can be a task to try and find out who that agent/agency is and it can be different for every resort. As a result, we have different agents that book us at different resorts.

Sometimes, an agent can open a door for you at a resort especially if that resort does not use the same agent/agency to book its entertainment.

Other times we book through referrals from other entertainers that have or are performing at the resorts.

If you are going to present yourself directly to the resorts, seek out the ones that offer a full line-up of entertainment. Here's one that we have done for a number of years http://www.delawana.com/entertainment.html As you can see, they have something for their guest each night and are therefore more receptive to hiring entertainers. (The 'Del' really is a great resort by the way!)

In regards to agents, you need to approach the agents. Sometimes they will want to come out and see you work. Sometimes they will take you on referral from someone they already represent. Bob Sanders here on the Café has worked both sides of this fence and I would recommend contacting him.

Good luck with your search!

Rob

Just a quick follow up Jason. We just received a summer's booking of shows this week that we cold called from a resort along the St. Lawrence River. So maybe it's not too late.

All the best in your search.

Rob