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As a rough approximation I think we go through a number of steps as we develop as performers. I would like to hear what steps you went through.
Also I am sure magicians with more experience than me can extend the list with further steps including appearing on national television etc. as further steps.

What kind of steps did you go though as a performer? Here is my list,


Step 1: Performance for family and friends (mainly on a one-to-one basis)

Step 2: Performance for family and friends (for a little group of "friendly" spectators)

Step 3: Informal, performance in party (family, friends and their friends). You are not expected to do magic, but suddently you are surrounded and entertain people for 10-20min

Step 4: Formal, performance in family/friends party (you are officially a part of the entertainment and people expect you to be part of the
entertainment).

Step 5: Informal performance for strangers (magic for a group of strangers you meet in the public space). Suddenly you are surrounded and have to entertain with impromptu magic for 10 or more strangers.

Step 6: Formal, but essentially unpaid performance (including for example table hopping) for strangers (charity events, birthdays parties, weddings).
You are expected to perform and part of the official program. If you disappoint its embarrassing , but since you only get a relatively small fee
it is clear that the organisers do not really consider you a professional performer. It is kind of OK as long as people are entertained.

Step 7: Paid performance for strangers (occasionally including hostile and disruptive spectators). In general you cannot fail since you are paid well, and the organizers expect you to deliver.

Sounds like a good list of stages to me; about what I went through (although a bit further).

I wold also agree that the process is similar to what I went through although I hit step 1 first, then step 2, then step 5, then step 4 and then fluctuating between steps 7, 5 and 6.

I suppose that we all go through the same steps but not necessarily in the same order, if you see what I mean

dat8962 wrote:I suppose that we all go through the same steps but not necessarily in the same order, if you see what I mean

Was that inspired from Morecambe and Wise?

"I am playing all the right notes... but NOT necessarily...in the right order"

Not that I want to take this post off topic too far...but that Morecambe and Wise sketch was one of their funniest...

I'm still languishing around step 0.5 just building up the skills to feel I'm able to show family and friends seriously I'm around step 1 I'm fairly new there's a way to go but it's all part of the fun!

Nice categories, although it appears that I have gone straight from Step 1 to step 4.5 (volunteered to be part of the entertainment, both at Xmas for the in-laws and at New Year with friends on a snow mission to Chamonix) and both times the participants, although not being hostile, certainly didn't make it easy for me. I'm finding it much easier to perform for strangers who ask to see something when I'm playing with my cards. In fact, I've put my experiences into my act.

'Can you imagine if you took up fishing and all your friends and family came down to the river and threw rocks in "Let's see how good you are now" or stamp collecting "Ha, I've licked all these stamps, now let me see you collect them, eh". Only in magic'

Seems to get a good response anyway.

DT