The Art of Astonishment

A Letter to My Clients

As an event entertainer who uses magic as part of my act, I’m often asked the question, “What is Magic?” or “Is Magic Real?” The answer to the latter lies in the answer to the former.

One of the magicians I’ve studied is someone that most non-magicians have never heard of, Paul Harris. For magicians, he is one of the ultimate creators and teachers. His thinking on magic and what he calls The Art of Astonishment revolutionized my (and many other magician’s) thinking about what I do.

Simply put, the ultimate goal of a performance is to create  moments of astonishment. Whether I’m on a stage in front of thousands of people or I’m at your table with 3 or 4 others at a banquet, my goal is to create a moment of astonishment.

Notice I didn’t say that my goal is to “Astonish You,” but rather, “Create Moments of Astonishment.” Those are moments that you (the audience) and I (the performer) should share. It’s a moment where you feel wonder and awe, where you feel like a child again, where you feel magic.

When I say “feel magic,” I don’t mean Harry Potter style magic as in magical powers. I mean magic as in the laughter of a child or the majesty of this beautiful planet we call home. It’s a feeling that makes us feel young again when life was much more mysterious to us.

By now, we’ve all pretty much figured it out and a lot of the “magic” is gone. So is magic real? Yes. To me, magic is a feeling that is created by many, many wonderful things in life. One of those wonderful things, if I do my job right, is my presentation; at least that’s what I hope. I approach astonishment, and occasionally I hit it. I should say we hit it.

If I’ve done my job right, you (the audience) are less interested in how the “trick” “works” and more interested in savoring the moment of astonishment. Once you (or I) start to focus on the “how” of a “trick” the “magic” is gone; the feeling of astonishment fades.

My job as a performer is to focus on you and my presentation more and the “trick” less. Your job as an audience is to focus on the presentation more and the “trick” less. Notice that both of us must focus on the “trick” less in order to create astonishment, but trust me; when it happens, it’s a thing of beauty.

So take this challenge as an audience. The next time you see a magician perform, try to connect with him/her. See if s/he is trying to connect with you. Look for the moment of astonishment; don’t kill the magical feeling by trying to “solve” it.

So “What is magic?” and “Is magic real?” Magic is Real. It’s a feeling, a feeling I often call astonishment. The “trick” as it is sometimes dismissively referred to is merely the vehicle. It is the vehicle on the road called “connection.” This road is where you (the audience) and I (the performer) connect with each other on our way to the destination . . . a place called Astonishment.

I hope to see you there soon!

Root:

Let’s Remember Our Roots. The Root: You are on the same team as your audience. When I was actively marketing myself as a performer, the above letter was sent out to my mailing list of potential clients. It was part of a bigger effort to keep the magical moments of life at the top of the mind of my potential clients. This particular letter is very much about teaching the audience to properly play their role.

Spectators don’t necessarily know this. We’ve all met the spectator who narrates the entire trick as he tells us how everything is done. It’s not entirely his fault. He believes that his job is that of debunker. He wants to disprove any claims (outrageous or otherwise) that we as magicians make. He’s just playing the wrong role and doesn’t know it.

Branch:

Let’s Build Our Branches. Your Challenge: Educate your audience. For the next 30 days, focus on making very clear what your audience’s job is. Do this politely, of course. You can do this by openly saying this directly, or you can show them by your actions, or a combination of both. I want you to stop and figure it out on your own, but your job is to make sure that the audience knows that their job is let the feeling of astonishment happen, and then after it happens, let it wash over themselves until they’re buried neck-deep, yet comfortably. Teach your audience and your world as a performer will change.

Now go study the classics and go discover your true magical self.