Hi. I'm new here. I'm one of John Pyka's students (Big Daddy Cool). I'm loving learning magic and performance. John is a really great teacher too! I love him to death. Do any of you have any suggestions for a young woman new to magic?

Don't pay attention to the idiots that say "girls can't do magic", try not to get frustrated when, after about 100 times, you get asked "who's assistant are you?", always remember that there is a difference between 'sexy' and 'slutty', work hard, and above all else, follow your heart!

Margarette

You sound like John

When they ask about being an assistant, I can tell them I am John's Performance Partner! yes, I've drank the kool aid

Hi Athena and welcome. One other peice of advice in addition to Margarette's...

BE YOURSELF!!!!

You know who you are, and what you do, keep up the good work and if I can be of any help regarding being a magical/performance partner, feel free to ask.

Kelly

Thanks. I don't actually know how much I'll really be performing. I started working with John as a manager of sorts, and got bit by the bug. I've never done anything like this before, but it sure is fun and interesting!

Love ya!
Athena

Hi Athena,

Welcome to the magic Café!

It's always nice to see some ladies joining the forum and one of the places to check out is the New to Magic forum. Lots of invaluable info there and you're welcome to ask any of your own questions. However, it's pretty good about covering all sorts of things you may want to know or have thought about regarding the world of magic.

Feel free to ask any questions here as well and I'll try to answer the one you asked: For a young woman starting out in magic - Margarette gave good advice - Be true to who you are and be yourself. In otherwords don't try to fit a mold that others may feel you should be placed in. The best are those that are unique and individual and not copy cats of others. If you are generally a humorous person - fit that personality type to your persona and enhance it for the stage, or with any other personality type you are. Your persona should fit the character or mood you are trying to achieve when performing. The magic you choose to perform also enhances your persona. Best wishes to you!

Chrystal

I want to welcome you aboard Athena! Hope you have a blast here!

Welcome Athena I am also new here. But I have been doing magic as a hobbyist going on 7 years... I really have started taking my voyage in magic seriously this year though...My goal is to eventually make enough money, to support my magic habit.. ermm..

First off it might help if you asked yourself a few questions. What type of magic interests you? Are you thinking Close-up? Or Stage? Is mentalism something that interests you? Do you see yourself levitating things? or reading minds? Spoon Bending?

There is an awesome Sticky in the New to magic section that covers basic knowledge and where to get it. If you don't know what you want to focus on yet though, Pick up Mark Wilson's Complete Course in Magic. I cannot recommend it enough. It basically introduces you to almost every aspect of magic, from Close-up to stage... covers Sponge balls, cards, Coins, parlor, Cups and Balls, etc...

After going through that material, you will have a better idea what you want to do. Then you can get more focused advice

Thanks all. During the debut of his new show John brought me onstage as a "volunteer." It scared me to death. I don't think performing is going to be something I want to do regularly, but I have shown some friends and family a few close-up tricks and they've been impressed. It's been fun!

Athena, I'm strictly an amateur, and I love it! It's not that I have stage fright - in fact, I like being the center of attention too much! But I absolutely love performing for friends and family. Stick with it, and I think you'll find it very rewarding. Good luck!

The fear gose away as the success comes. It becomes hard too resist being the one to make the jaws drop at will.

A belated welcome to the board, Athena. And I too have found it true that once you have taken the stage you don't want to give it up.