Be Yourself

I am sure we have all heard it growing up and from others in our life from time to time. Be yourself and not someone else. Act the way you would act and do what you know is right for you. Seems a pretty simple and straightforward concept. These are the lessons of life and we learn from them.

However, why does his simple phrase become forgotten in the magical arts? Why is it that we feel this phrase is no longer important or simply does not apply to us when performing magic? Perhaps we hear the phrase but pay it no attention. Perhaps we do not want to hear it at all.

Why is this so important? It’s important because too often the magical arts is filled with “clones.” These are the same people doing the same thing the same way and for the same audiences. If you do not believe me, just talk to a layperson. The attitude an opinion of lay folks is such that every magician is the same and we all look and act alike. You know what? They are right. We are and we do.

So why does this happen? There are many reasons but the biggest one is a simple word…LAZY. We are simply flat out lazy. If success were based upon taking action, then more people would be successful. The problem is most folks do not want to take the action because they see a simpler path to follow. Why take the hard road when the paved road is easier to travel?

The same applies to magic. Why try and create something that is unique to us if we can “borrow” something from someone else? It is just easier to buy a “routine in a box” and add it to your show.

I say routine in a box because that is the way things are sold these days. Now do not get me wrong here. I like magic dealers and inventors as much as the other guy. However, the fact of the matter is that things are created and sold to you so you do not have to think for yourself. The trick you buy comes with instructions, tells you what to say, how to move, gives you comedy lines, alternative patter and a DVD showing you exactly how to do it the way the other magician does. Dose this make us unique? NO! It simply makes us a lesser copy of someone else.

How many of us have also seen a magic show and flat out stole the routine and patter of the person we saw? Be honest with yourself. The answer is a LOT of us. We get caught up in the power of the effect and the reactions we saw. The problem is that we forget that THAT magician caused the reactions. It was not simply the effect itself. If the effect or prop was getting the reactions, then why not just place the prop on a table and walk off stage. The point is that the magician makes the entertainment experience.

Therein may lay the problem. Can anyone be like this magician? No, they can’t. Would you want to be this magician? No, I would think you would want to be yourself. Would someone else garner the same exact reactions as this magician? Probably not.

They would still get laughs and reactions but not the same way. The reason is simple. They are not that magician. They cannot possibly know or perform the nuances that the magician brought to the performance. They may replicate what they saw. However, replication with some minor updating is NOT being creative or true to you.

We need to get over this idea that stealing others acts or routines will make us a better performer. That simply does not happen. It makes for more magicians performing more bad magic.

What we need to remember is that simple phrase…”Be Yourself.” Learn to find out who you are as a performer. Find your own unique style and define your character on stage. Know what that character would and would not do. Remember to script your routines so it fits who you are.

Is this tough, well yeah it requires you taking some action. But remember that any success requires you taking that first step.

As always, I encourage you the readers to let me know your thoughts. So if you have any thoughts on my articles or suggestions or comments, please feel free to e-mail me directly at magic4u02@aol.com. I would love to hear from you.