How to Be Magician/Clown - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Sep 7, 2020 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

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The popularity of magicians and clowns has been on the rise over the past few years. This is due to a number of factors, including increased public interest in the performing arts, the emergence of family-friendly entertainment options, and the growing demand for unique experiences. As a result, magicians and clowns have become increasingly sought-after for parties, corporate events, and other celebrations.

the growing presence of these performers on television and social media has served to further amplify their appeal. With their unique blend of comedy, mystery, and showmanship, magicians and clowns can bring unparalleled levels of excitement to any event. In turn, this has made them essential components of many people's special occasions.

Steps How to Become

Start by researching the different types of magic tricks and clowning techniques. Read books and watch videos on how to perform these tricks and techniques.
Take classes or attend workshops to learn more about performing magic and clowning. Look for classes that focus on different types of techniques such as card magic, balloon animals, and juggling.
Practice your magic and clowning skills on a regular basis to perfect them. Find a mentor that can help you hone your skills and provide advice on how to become a better performer.
Put together a show or routine that you can use in public performances. Make sure it is entertaining and engaging for your audience.
Create a portfolio of your work, including photos, videos, and references from previous gigs. This will help you attract new clients and bookings.
Market yourself and your services. Reach out to local talent agencies, event planners, and other venues that may be interested in hiring a magician or clown.
When you start getting gigs, make sure you are professional and reliable in all your interactions with clients. This will help you build a good reputation as a performer.
Keep learning new tricks and honing your skills so that you can stay ahead of the competition.

Staying updated and qualified as a magician or clown is essential in order to remain competitive in the entertainment industry. One of the most important steps to keeping qualified is by attending workshops and conferences, which provide the opportunity for magicians and clowns to learn new techniques and tricks, as well as stay abreast of changes in the industry. By networking with other professionals, magicians and clowns can also stay informed of new trends and challenges.

it is important to keep up with current technology, as this can enable magicians and clowns to use more advanced tricks and stunts. Finally, reading magazines and books related to magic and clowning can help magicians and clowns stay up-to-date on the latest advancements in their field. By taking these measures, magicians and clowns can ensure they remain qualified and relevant in the entertainment industry.

You may want to check Clinical Clown, Clown Technician, and Fire Breathing Clown for alternative.

Job Description

Magician: Perform magical tricks and illusions, present stage shows, and interact with the audience.
Clown: Perform humorous skits, juggling, magic tricks and pranks to entertain audiences.
Balloon Artist: Create balloon sculptures and decorations for parties and events.
Childrens Party Entertainer: Perform activities, games and magic for children at parties and events.
Face Painter: Paint designs on people's faces for special occasions, such as parties and festivals.
Ventriloquist: Perform comedy routines using ventriloquism and puppetry.
Puppet Master: Create and operate puppets for use in theatre productions, television shows, movies, or other events.
Stilt Walker: Perform on stilts or tall props to entertain audiences at parades, festivals, or other events.
Fire Breather: Perform stunts involving the manipulation and control of fire.
Fortune Teller: Use tarot cards, astrology, numerology, palmistry, or other methods to predict the future for customers.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Entertaining and engaging performance skills
Creative thinking and problem solving
Familiarity with a variety of magic tricks and gags
Ability to improvise and develop new tricks
Knowledge of basic clowning techniques
Dexterity and manual coordination
Ability to interact with children of all ages
Ability to connect with audiences
Excellent communication and public speaking skills
Professionalism and reliability
Ability to work as part of a team or independently
Ability to operate sound and lighting equipment

Being a successful magician or clown requires a variety of skills. Creativity is essential for crafting entertaining routines that capture the audiences attention. It's important to be able to think on your feet and come up with jokes or tricks that can be adapted to an unexpected situation.

Charisma is just as important as creativity, as a performer needs to be able to draw the audience in and keep them engaged. Physical agility is also important for clowns, as it allows them to execute pratfalls and other physical comedy. Finally, a magician or clown needs to have good social skills, so that they can work well with children and adults alike.

All these skills combined will help a performer create a show that is both memorable and enjoyable for all.

Circus Clown Teacher, Character Actor/Clown, and Face Painter/Clown are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What inspired you to become a Magician/Clown?
What experience do you have performing in front of large and small audiences?
How do you develop and customize your tricks/skits?
What unique routines do you have that will help to engage the crowds?
How do you ensure that your performance is safe and family friendly?
What methods do you use to entertain children and adults?
How do you handle any audience members who are uncooperative or disruptive?
Do you have any additional skills or talents that you can bring to your performances?
What challenges have you faced as a Magician/Clown and how did you overcome them?
How do you make sure that your show is always exciting and entertaining?

Common Tools in Industry

Magic wand. A tool used to perform magical tricks, such as making objects appear or disappear. (eg: a wand that produces a rabbit from a hat)
Props. Various items used for illusions, gags, and other entertainment. (eg: a set of juggling balls)
Makeup. Products used to create the desired look for a character or performance. (eg: face paint and cosmetic jewels)
Costume. Clothing and accessories used to create a character or scene. (eg: a colorful clown costume with matching hat and shoes)
Music. Audio used to create atmosphere and set the mood. (eg: a recorded track of circus-themed music)
Puppets. Inanimate objects manipulated by a performer to create the illusion of life. (eg: a marionette operated with strings)
Ventriloquist doll. A puppet used by the performer to create the illusion of human conversation. (eg: a wooden figure that talks and interacts with the audience)
Juggling props. Objects used to perform juggling tricks. (eg: balls, rings, clubs, and torches)

Professional Organizations to Know

International Brotherhood of Magicians
Academy of Magical Arts
World Clown Association
International Jugglers' Association
American Federation of Magicians
Fellowship of Christian Magicians
The Magic Circle
World Magic Seminar
Clowns of America International
International Magicians Society

We also have Summer Camp Clown, Festival Clown, and Restoration Clown jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Magic Trick. A trick or illusion performed by a magician, often involving sleight of hand and misdirection.
Illusion. A false or misleading perception or belief.
Sleight of Hand. The practice of performing manipulative skills, such as card or coin manipulation, as a form of entertainment.
Misdirection. A technique used by a magician to divert the attention of the audience away from the true method of a trick.
Prestidigitation. A type of magic involving the use of quick and dexterous movements to create an illusion of astounding feats.
Juggling. The art of keeping multiple objects in the air at once, usually using the arms, hands, and body.
Clowning. A type of entertainment involving physical comedy and slapstick humor.
Ventriloquism. The art of speaking in a way that gives the impression that the voice is coming from another source.
Physical Comedy. A type of comedy that relies on physical actions or movements to create humor.
Slapstick. A type of physical comedy involving exaggerated physical movements and exaggerated sound effects for comic effect.

Frequently Asked Questions

What skills are necessary for a magician?

A magician needs to be skilled in sleight of hand, performance, illusion, and audience interaction.

How long does it take to become a professional magician?

It typically takes years of practice to become a professional magician and many magicians don't reach the professional level until after several years of dedication and honing their craft.