Magic Convention Competitions - 5 Pseudo-Excuses Preventing You from Taking the 2024 Stage

Some of the biggest magic conventions happen in Las Vegas (Magic Live) or Blackpool (Blackpool Magic Convention in England). When I talk to non-magicians (laymen), they’re often astonished to learn that we hold such meetings.

They’re often intrigued to hear about the things we do at such gatherings - high-energy stage shows, world-class close-up performances, dealers room. It is the best vacation! But when I tell them about the competitions at magic conventions, their eyes positively light up.

“You guys compete?!” Yeah we do! They're amazed at first; but when they stop and really think about it, it makes sense. So much growth and camaraderie come from the magic competitions we have with one another that not having them would seem truly strange.

What’s that? You’ve never created a competition act? That’s okay, most performers haven’t. Perhaps you’ve never been to a convention before. Maybe you simply have “nothing to prove”. Or most likely you’ve fallen prey to one of the common objections we’ve all told ourselves. Keep reading below and I hope I can convince you that competing is the best thing for your magic!

1) ''I'll never be able to fool the judges.''

Sorry, but that one just doesn’t fly. Competition acts are judged on many criteria, the least of which is fooling the judges. In fact, on the Magicpalooza score sheets, there’s no entry for “fooling the judges”. Most points come from originality in presentation and technical skill.

2) ''I haven't been in magic long enough.''

This one is a bit tougher to shoot down because it has the sound of being true. But know that there are many magic competitions designed for people of all skill levels. There are plenty of local events that take place at the club level that are perfect for beginning magicians. Look for club-hosted events such as single-day conventions, annual award/dinner banquets, or they might host a special competition during a regular meeting for no special reason at all! These are all perfect for beginning magicians. Once you get into the competition vibe, then you can take your act to one of the regional conventions (think Florida State or Winter Carnival). Depending on your goal, you might even work toward competing at a national level. IBM and SAM host some great competitions. So what are you waiting for? Get to work!

3) “Magic competitions don't prove anything.''

Well, for some magicians that may actually be true. Working professionals with a full calendar of shows may be quite happy doing exactly what they do – which is great. But I’m betting that if you’re reading this, you are interested in competing and not because you want to “prove” anything. If you want to prove something, then prove to yourself that you can get up in front of a room full of your compeers. Prove that you can stand before them and show them a magic trick that you put something of yourself into. That and nothing more. If you can do that, get in front of that room, you’ll have done something most of us haven’t.

4) ''I'm not very good at (insert skill).''

If you think about this one, it almost becomes self-refuting. Let’s say you’re not good at projecting your voice. Guess what? The experience of rehearsing, performing, and competing will help you improve your voice. Maybe you’re not very good at timing, blocking, pacing, scripting, etc. The very act of putting together a competition act, rehearsing it, and performing it will get you so much more improvement than say, doing nothing. Competitions are a great way to improve virtually every aspect of your performance.

5) ''Everyone's so much better than me.''

Okay, it’s story time. Before attending a recent convention, I had convinced a friend of mine to compete. He had never even been to a convention before! But he’s a good performer so my money was on him for placement. Before the convention, a bag was stolen from his car containing many of his props and his whole competition act.

Even though he had a great time at the convention, he wasn’t able to compete. Or was he? After the competition, he was absolutely kicking himself. He said to me that he had plenty more material and he could have put together another act that would have done quite well! The competition was good.

But in his mind, he had made everyone else so much better, that he lost his confidence. He sat in the audience instead of standing before his peers. And I believe it is one of the true regrets that he has. Don’t imagine things to be worse than they are. And besides, what if it’s true? Who cares if everyone else is Dai Vernon? You’re only out there to improve yourself.

Bonus section: The true reward of magic competitions

Well, I guess some people like getting a nice trophy or a plaque. But that’s not always the best reward. Are you ready for another story? One of my first magic conventions was the Winter Carnival of Magic in east Tennessee (hosted by IBM Ring 58 - March 1999). The winner of the close-up competition that year stole the show with a perfectly charming dice-stacking routine (involving a mechanical mind-reading chimpanzee). Later that evening, in the close-up lounge, the room was full of activity. Magicians of all ages and skill levels were sitting around tables, sharing ideas. I learned a lot that year.

Into the room walk Johnny Thompson and Tommy Wonder (with full entourage). I saw over at one table a huge crowd had formed. There at the table was the magician who had won first place. And seated with him were Johnny and Tommy and all of the other big names - and they were playing "pass the deck." Those who weren't in that circle knew not to sit at that table.

And I realized at that moment that the prize of winning wasn’t the plaque or trophy. Nor was it anything monetary at all.

The prize is that moment. That moment where you’re welcome at the table among those you had always looked up to. And you become one of them.

That is the prize.

Register now for the 2024 Winter Carnival of Magic

I'll be lecturing and performing this year in Pigeon Forge. I hope you can join us for the 2024 festivities. Click here to get more information and to register.

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