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The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Going for the 'Gold' » » Magic Castle - what skill level is needed for membership (4 Likes) Printer Friendly Version

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Palle
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Within the next several months I will be applying for membership to the Magic Castle.

I understand the membership board will ask you questions and have you perform a 10 minutes magic program.

I am interested to hear from other members what the interview is like and to what skill level your magic program should be.

Any information will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
palle...
Lonnie Dilan
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Canyon Country, California
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Palle,

Just be able to perform some of your best material smoothly. Show them that you are a competent performer and that you care about the art and you are in. You will have tons of fun at the tryout. You'll probably make some friends instantly. I still talk to all the guys who were there with me when I tried out.

Good Luck.
Mark Martinez
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Inner circle
Wisconsin
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Check here:
http://www.magiccastle.com/f/becomemember.htm

Here is the Magic Castles main address:
http://www.magiccastle.com
Magically,
Mark

Success comes before work only in the dictionary. - Anonymous
trainerjep
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All I can say is, make sure you have a tie on!!! Smile
It's not the size of the wand,
but the magic in it !
Baz94
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I heard that you have to travel to England, find someone with a B or A or Z in their name and turn their empty bank account into a really full one. Then you have to make a new lotus appear and give it to that person and then you become a member.

But that's only what I heard Smile

Best of luck to you. Let us know how you get on Palle!
Palle
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Thanks for the good wishes. Oh yes, forgot about the coat and tie dress code, I'll make sure I look presentable.
palle...
dpe666
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If you live outside of Los Angeles, you do not need any skill. You only need a checking account. Sad. Smile
Bill Hegbli
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Eternal Order
Fort Wayne, Indiana
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The "Magic Castle" is a Bar and Restaraunt with magic shows scheduled throughout the day. To visit the Castle all you have to do is provide a membership card from a magic club i.e. SAM/IBM. Otherwise, you show a trick to the person at the desk. It is best to call in advance.

The Castle is private "Social" club, not a magic club. They did have a youth club, I don't know if they still have this. As with all great things, I don't think it is the place it used to be.

The kids have taken over the business and are not as interested in Magic as their parents and the founders. They sold off the Genii Magazine, due to not willing to "work" at putting out a magazine.

I had the pleasure to vist the Castle in 1980, on Valentine's day. It was fun sitting and doing close-up for all the visitors. They have members hand out passes for visiting. If you like the bar scene it is a great place to be. You can see some of the best acts in magic, famous or not.

I hope this helps answer your question. Remember, your not joining a magic organization but a private social club.
Chris Berry
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Quote:
On 2003-05-10 17:38, dpe666 wrote:
If you live outside of Los Angeles, you do not need any skill. You only need a checking account. Sad. Smile



Quite true. It is sad.

Wmhegbli, the Junior Group is still going strong. I'd say we have about 50 or so kids. Possibly more. Were you saying the kids in the group don't care about magic?

If so then you are entirley wrong. All of us in the Junior Group have joined because we truly love magic. You really have to come out again and see what some of the kids are doing.

Go pick up a copy of Hit The Road (if you don't have it already) and watch Ashford Knietel. The kid is so incredibly good. First time I went to hang out at a Jr. Meeting he showed that card compass to me. He is incredibly smooth and REALLY cares about the art.

Another guy that is dedicated is Matthew Grunwald. He flys out from Montana (I think that is right) once a month to attend meetings and work brunch.

1980 was a long time ago so many things have changed. I wouldn't classify the Castle as just a "social" club. It is a Private Club for Magicians. If it wasn't then why would you need to become a member of The Academy of Magical Arts?

Chris
Pete Biro
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1933 - 2018
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The kids have taken over the business and are not as interested in Magic as their parents and the founders. They sold off the Genii Magazine, due to not willing to "work" at putting out a magazine.

NOT TRUE the "kids?" have not taken over the Magic Castle, the founders were Bill and Milt Larsen. Bill is deceased, but Milt still runs the bar/restaurant business and the Acadamy of Magical Arts' Board of Directors run the "club" aspect.

These are all dedicated magicians and business men making the everyday decisions... no "kids" in charge.

The Junior Group is strong, one of its members, Jason Latimer just won just about everything this past year including FISM Grand Prix, Close up and Originality the $5,000 Siegfried and Roy Sarmoti award, etc. etc.

The Castle is as good as you want to make it.
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
thumbslinger
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This is a good number:
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Rather a late post, but as I just passed my magicians membership audition last week (January 5th, 2004) I can tell you that performing a trick at the door is not a way to get in.

Secondly, it is an organization it's called the Academy of the Magical Arts (at the Magic Castle) which, by definition is an organization as is McDonalds, JC Penney, etc.

Lastly, out of towners don't get all the benefits of us intowners and as such, not any intowner can just get all the benefits because of a checkbook.

The cruel fact is, there's a business side to every cop, palm, false count, smile and joke that happens at the Castle and there needs to be in sure the magic continues.

Those simple 'patrons of the art' can simply 'pay' and get an associates membership (with only associates privledges) but they miss out on some real bonuses.

Which leads me to conclude with the Magic Castle is still recognized the world over as one of if not the most unique venues and organizations perpetuating the field and art of magic today.

It IS the Magic Castle no matter what anyone makes of it. Smile
--------------------------------
PS. Since the original post was so long ago....Palle did you make it in? I'd like to meet you sometime.

If you haven't tried yet, the simple answer is: get three good, solid effects together. They don't have to be new, cutting edge effects that are popular they just have to be good.

Preferably, ungimmicked to show a true interest
Chet Atkins, Jerry Reed and Tommy Emmanuel are all you need to study to learn to play guitar.
Gianni
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WILMINGTON, DE
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I live on the East coast and so can become a member with appropriate payment. I have declined to join this way. I very much like the idea that one must audition to become a member. This leads to questions that have never been answered to my satisfaction:

1) What is the skill level required for a successful audition?

2) Is there a written (or stated) standard to be achieved?

Gianni
Chris Berry
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Gianna, because you don't live by the Castle (i.e. Southern California) you cannot join as a magician member, but instead, must join as an associate if you wish to join at all (considering you don't want to move!)

As far as skill level check some of the above posts. As long as you have 3 good tricks (stay away from gaffs) then you are pretty much a shoe-in.

Chris
jhcox1
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Springfield, IL
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There are actually 4 types of members for The Magic Castle. There are Resident Associate members and Non-resident Associate members. Associate members are people who love the art of Magic and The Magic Castle. Many are professionals in the entertainment industry, while others are friends of members who enjoy visiting The Magic Castle. The other two types of members are Magicians and Non-resident Magicians. Resident magician members are interviewed by the Membership committee and are asked to demonstrate some simple magic effects for the committee. Non-resident Magician members must have a background in magic and are paying members of a recognized magical organization, such as, but not limited to, the IBM or SAM. Non-resident applicants must live outside the local area and the California counties are listed on The Magic Castle web site.
GlenD
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LosAngeles, Ca
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Congratulations Thumbslinger !!!
It is my intention to apply this year.
What effects or tricks did you do ?

GlenD
"A miracle is something that seems impossible but happens anyway" - Griffin

"Any future where you succeed, is one where you tell the truth." - Griffin (Griffin rocks!)
ed rhodes
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Rhode Island
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Quote:
On 2003-05-10 10:31, Baz94 wrote:
I heard that you have to travel to England, find someone with a B or A or Z in their name and turn their empty bank account into a really full one. Then you have to make a new lotus appear and give it to that person and then you become a member.

But that's only what I heard Smile

Best of luck to you. Let us know how you get on Palle!


So, to join the Magic Circle do you have to travel to California? Smile
"...and if you're too afraid of goin' astray, you won't go anywhere." - Granny Weatherwax
Bball5630
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It seems you would benefit most by going there. I am a member and have been for about 10 years, but don't make it over there too often.
djsqzme
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Quote:
On Dec 4, 2003, Bill Hegbli wrote:
The "Magic Castle" is a Bar and Restaraunt with magic shows scheduled throughout the day. To visit the Castle all you have to do is provide a membership card from a magic club i.e. SAM/IBM. Otherwise, you show a trick to the person at the desk. It is best to call in advance.

The Castle is private "Social" club, not a magic club. They did have a youth club, I don't know if they still have this. As with all great things, I don't think it is the place it used to be.

The kids have taken over the business and are not as interested in Magic as their parents and the founders. They sold off the Genii Magazine, due to not willing to "work" at putting out a magazine.

I had the pleasure to vist the Castle in 1980, on Valentine's day. It was fun sitting and doing close-up for all the visitors. They have members hand out passes for visiting. If you like the bar scene it is a great place to be. You can see some of the best acts in magic, famous or not.

I hope this helps answer your question. Remember, your not joining a magic organization but a private social club.


does this still hold true for today? If I showed them a trick/show my IBM/SAM membership they will let me in? Do you need reservations or anything?
Bill Hegbli
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Eternal Order
Fort Wayne, Indiana
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Sorry for the confusion. By kids I meant Bill Larsen's children, If you read the magazine Forward, Bill Larsen himself told many times how he would assign magazine publication tasks to his daughter and son and they did not follow through. They wanted nothing to do with helping their father with the magazine. That is why the magazine got so far behind in publication in the 1980's and 1990's. It took 2 years to get one year published. Subscriptions became very confusing when your renewal was due.

The 1st reference to kids, was referring to the junior magic club at the Castle. There were some really good Junior magicians that came out of that group. I seen a few acts that you would swear they were professionals, and had been doing magic for years. Very polished performers.

Hope this makes my comments more clear in the above post.
Stanley Zhou
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Bill, I find it interesting that you are clarifying a post made 17 years ago.
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