FINAL: "Magic Max" Shines at Founders' Day

Max D. is no stranger to performances.  An avid member of the Society of Young Magicians (SYM), a youth offshoot of the Society of American Magicians (SAM) (@sammumnews), he has performed at camps, birthday parties, and other events for a variety of audiences.  Therefore, he seemed undaunted when he announced his intention to offer a performance on Founders' Day for fellow students, faculty, and parents.  But...this routine would be something special, he said.  It would not only satisfy Business Math requirements but also perform a specific function for IP:

I was thinking of a performance on Founders' Day  Some people attending may not understand it [IP] from just hearing about it.  If I show them, parents, students, and faculty can get what IP is all about. When I do my performance, they will understand and be illuminated that, when we research our project, we learn more about it than before we researched.

Max quickly went to work once he secured the necessary permissions.  He began to search through his inventory of tricks in earnest, designing last minute materials and giving the IP faculty more frequent mock performances.  Eventually he settled on three tricks; once he had this routine he selected a minimalistic costume and practiced his transitions.  The most tantalizing factor for the IP team was that Max did this work on his own.  He did not consult his advisors for assistance; he knew what he needed to get done, and he approached this work conscientiously and deliberately.

All of his efforts paid off too.  During his Founders' Day performance, Max introduced himself by jabbing playfully at Mr. Pendergast before moving onto his most powerful illusion ("Professor's Nightmare /​ Fiber Optic") and a well-known card trick ("Three Card Monty").  Ever the close study of humor, he put jokes to good use and evoked more than a frequent chuckle from his guests.  More than one audience member muttered confusedly as he traded rope ends during "Professor's Nightmare /​ Fiber Optic," and we all laughed along at our own ignorance as he tantalized us with his cards during "Three Card Monty."

Overall, Max's performance was a big success.  Over the course of the year, he has made huge gains in the deft handling of his tricks.  No less importantly, he has become more comfortable engaging others.  He has shifted his focus to "close-ups" (which call upon audience participation), and he has developed a performance personality that is quite magnetic.  He should feel proud of his good work, and the IP faculty invites you to celebrate with us by posting in the comments section below.

Description of images:  "Magic Max" with Mr. Pendergast, top right.  Max performing "Three Card Monty," middle left.  Max beginning his routine, bottom right.  All photos taken by IP faculty.

"Magic Max" Shines at Founders' Day

Max D. is no stranger to performances.  An avid member of the Society of Young Magicians (SYM), a youth offshoot of the Society of American Magicians (SAM) (@sammumnews), he has performed at camps, birthday parties, and other events for a variety of audiences.  Therefore, he seemed undaunted when he announced his intention to offer a performance on Founders' Day for fellow students, faculty, and parents.  But...this routine would be something special, he said.  It would not only satisfy Business Math requirements but also perform a specific function for IP:

I was thinking of a performance on Founders' Day  Some people attending may not understand it [IP] from just hearing about it.  If I show them, parents, students, and faculty can get what IP is all about. When I do my performance, they will understand and be illuminated that, when we research our project, we learn more about it than before we researched.

Max quickly went to work once he secured the necessary permissions.  He began to search through his inventory of tricks in earnest, designing last minute materials and giving the IP faculty more frequent mock performances.  Eventually he settled on three tricks; once he had this routine he selected a minimalistic costume and practiced his transitions.  The most tantalizing factor for the IP team was that Max did this work on his own.  He did not consult his advisors for assistance; he knew what he needed to get done, and he approached this work conscientiously and deliberately.

All of his efforts paid off too.  During his Founders' Day performance, Max introduced himself by jabbing playfully at Mr. Pendergast before moving onto his most powerful illusion ("Professor's Nightmare /​ Fiber Optic") and a well-known card trick ("Three Card Monty").  Ever the close study of humor, he put jokes to good use and evoked more than a frequent chuckle from his guests.  More than one audience member muttered confusedly as he traded rope ends during "Professor's Nightmare /​ Fiber Optic," and we all laughed along at our own ignorance as he tantalized us with his cards during "Three Card Monty."

Overall, Max's performance was a big success.  Over the course of the year, he has made huge gains in the deft handling of his tricks.  No less importantly, he has become more comfortable engaging others.  He has shifted his focus to "close-ups" (which call upon audience participation), and he has developed a performance personality that is quite magnetic.  He should feel proud of his good work, and the IP faculty invites you to celebrate with us by posting in the comments section below.

Description of images:  "Magic Max" with Mr. Pendergast, top right.  Max performing "Three Card Monty," middle left.  Max beginning his routine, bottom right.  All photos taken by IP faculty.

Max D. Travels to NEMCON

We in IP pride ourselves on our efforts to break down the physical walls of the classroom, to encourage one another to seek our passions well beyond the boundaries of the IP building (and Kildonan, more generally).  In keeping with this philosophy, Max D. approached the IP team one day with an exciting request.  Inspired by Trey's visit to NAMM, he explained that he wanted to attend a convention himself.  He was not sure when or to where he would depart, but he knew that he wished to connect with individuals who were just as passionate about magic and illusion as he is.

The IP team worked closely with Max on the research process.  Together, we discussed a myriad of possible conventions, travel plans, ticket prices, and the professional magicians in attendance.  After weeks of careful consideration, Max decided that he wished to attend the New England Magicians Conference, Inc. (NEMCON), held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Cromwell, CT from March 6th-7th.  These dates happened to coincide with the beginning of Kildonan's spring break, so after a quick performance with his chapter of the Society of Young Magicians (SYM), Max was off.

During his time at NEMCON, Max was able to explode his understanding of magic and illusion.  He noted fondly that Tom Mullica was a skilled emcee for his deft handling of humor and his ability to play up to diverse audiences.  He also explored the wares of a variety of vendors, and all told, he brought back many interesting "magic" samples to begin integrating into his routine.  Perhaps the central highlight of his experience, however, was his ability to interview the professional magicians in attendance:  Mullica, Jon Armstrong, and 17-year-old Ryan Lally.  In conducting these conversations, Max was not only able to practice his verbal conversations but also learn tips and seek inspiration from the greats in his field.  * For an example of his budding interview skills, please click here. *

Back in the IP building after spring break, Max described the experience as "mind-boggling."  When asked why, he had this to say:  "I feel like everything is coming together.  I know what I want to do now."

Any thoughts on NEMCON? Have you ever attended yourself, or would you recommend another magic convention to Max? Please post in the comments section below.

Description of 1st image:  Max at NEMCON with Roger Dreyer of NYC magic retailer Fantasma Magic (@FantasmaNYC).  Photo taken by Max's father.

Description of 2nd image:  The performers of NEMCON.  From left:  Stephen Bargatze, Rick Merrill, Ryan Lally, Jon Armstrong, and Tom Mullica.  Photo taken by Max's father.

Max D.: Magic & Illusion

Max D.: The Neuroscience of Humor

 

Recently returned from viewing The Illusionists (@Illusionists7) on Broadway, Max D. is inspired to hone his routine further by exploring one key trait of magic:  humor.  I (Jonathan Bisson) write that humor is key because this argument comes directly from Max himself.  Every single trick, he emphatically emphasizes, consists of comedy; there are merely tricks that overtly use humor and those that do not.  

I was a little confused about what he meant, so I decided to delve further into the neuroscience of humor; this search seemed prudent, for Max was already exploring this subject himself.  

For anyone interested in conducting a similar search, I would immediately recommend Peter McGraw (@PeterMcGraw)'s "What Makes Things Funny?" at TEDxBoulder (@TEDxBoulder) (shown below).  In his talk, McGraw emphasizes that humor primarily operates in a situation characterized as a "benign violation."  Such a situation, he goes on, consists of an idea or perspective that threatens the way that you believe the world should be ("violation") made less threatening by distance ("benign").  He goes on to discuss stairs as a way of demonstrating his theory:  

Walking down a flight of stairs =​ No Violation =​ Not Funny.  Falling down a flight of stairs, but being unhurt =​ Benign Violation =​ Funny.  Falling down that flight of stairs and being badly hurt =​ Malign Violation =​ Not Funny.

But perhaps the greatest crux of McGraw's talk (for myself, at least) was when, only a minute in, he states that "humor influences your choices," that it fundamentally impacts the way that we conceive of the world and those elements to which we pay attention.  This seems to relate EXACTLY to the sleight of hand with which magicians divert an audience's attention.  Perhaps, then, for some magicians - like Max - humor becomes the greatest "trick."

For another TED Talk on neuroscience and humor, please click here.

Max D.: The Magic of Doug Henning

A passionate illusionist with memberships in multiple performing arts camps and magic clubs, Max D. is currently honing his routine. He has been considering not only individual tricks but also his "performance persona":  the performer personality that he adopts when he walks onstage.  Max recently became inspired by Canadian magician, illusionist, escape artist, politician Doug Henning.


He appreciates Henning's ability to reach out to the audience, but - quite astutely - he remains firm that he will only adopt some of Henning's social practices.  The IP faculty gets the impression that Max will be able to offer quite a unique show, one of which Henning himself would be proud.

For a biography of Doug Henning, please click on the following link:  http:/​/​www.biography.com/​people/​doug-henning-9542367.  For a demonstration of Henning's stage presence, please see the video below.

(Doug Henning, pictured right.  This photo was located at en.wikipedia.org.  Kildonan and its IP program claim no ownership of the image above.)