Opportunity

During an interview, David Copperfield was asked what one piece of advice he would give to a young magician. His advice was to take every opportunity
to perform. No matter the size or significance of the show, perform as much as you can. It is a given that sufficient time has been spent in practice
and rehearsal to achieve proficiency. But at some point we have to show a magic trick to an audience, whether one-on-one or a small group. It is these opportunities
to perform where we hone our routines and learn the real world lessons that only experience can teach us.

Planet Comicon 2026 just ended and we had a great time performing for guests in our Ring 129 booth. Personally, I only performed three routines during the 3-day event,
but that was enough. I was able to gain valuable information about performing these routines for different audiences from 10-year-olds to retirees. One of our other members
with me on Sunday said basically the same thing. “I’m using this opportunity to hone my routines.”

This is also a great place to try out new material. We must not be afraid to fail, and I can personally guarantee that no matter how much practice and rehearsal time you put in to a routine, you will fail often during the early stages of performing it for an audience.

But this is a good thing. My favorite acting instructor once told us:
“If you get up and do a scene and it is perfect, the class applauds, what have you learned? Nothing. But if you
do a scene and fail in some parts, you learn EVERYTHING.”

Let’s be honest, we are not going to do irreparable ha

rm to the art of magic if we fail at a couple of routines at Planet Comicon. Actually, this is how we learn our most valuable lessons.

Three years ago, at a club meeting, I was approached by one of our younger members.
He said, “I am about to make the biggest mistake of my life. I want to volunteer for the Planet Comicon booth.” I scheduled him on a day and time that was not as crowded
for about two hours. At the next meeting, after the Con, He came up to me and said,” That was the most fun I have had in a long time. Put me down for Planet Comicon every
year for as long as you need for any day you need.” Since then he has been enthusiastically performing at Planet Comicon and club meetings with more magic and trying out new material each year.

The greatest lessons we will learn as performers come from performing. Taking advantage of opportunities to perform for smaller audiences at “less important” venues, gives us the real world experience we need to help us hone our skills and refine our routines for the future. Then, when a big “important” gig comes along, we will be ready to give our client an amazing show. Taking advantage of every opportunity to perform will go a long way to making us better magicians.

By Kelly Rusk