Starting Out

To become a professional magician, you’ll need to learn some basic tricks of the trade. Usually this starts off with simple, miniaturized versions of the larger feats, getting used to the different ways of misdirection and fooling the audience.

You should always practice in front of an audience or a mirror, since this will enable you to practice the same small trick over and over and over again without you boring a live audience with your repetitiveness.

Depending on the kind of magic you are learning you might also need to buy some simple props. For instance, close up magic requires cards, escapism requires trick handcuffs, prop magic requires trick cards or ball and cup tricks and stage magic requires all the props you would need for the trick.

Perfecting Your Act

Once you’ve gotten a few simple tricks under your sleeve, it’s time to start working on more complicated deceptions.

Some magicians combine smaller, simple tricks together to create new and interesting ones. Others go out and buy complicated props in order to get the latest and greatest gizmo effects. Whatever you want to do next you will need to create a persona for yourself and learn to be more of an actor, since part of being successful as a magician includes becoming a great performer as well.

Of course acting and charisma may not come easily to everyone. If you are struggling in this area, you might consider taking some courses in acting or public speaking at a nearby community college.

Regardless of your training and practice, you will need to select a performance outfit that fits. Many magicians go for the suit and bow tie route for the classy debonair look. But some prefer to opt for the eclectic stage personas of magicians like Penn and Teller or Chris Angel. Others go for the renaissance look of an alchemist or an old wizard in robes. Whatever your look, make sure you base your tricks on that design, so it will all come together professionally and effectively as well.