How to Become an Illusionist! ~ The Ace of Magic


HOW TO BECOME AN ILLUSIONIST!


For all magicians, the nature of what we do is to create illusions as we perform magic tricks – entertaining and amazing people through one of the many types of shows in the business, whether through sleight-of-hand or comedy magic.

But in this article I’m going to talk specifically about the professional category that we magicians know as “illusionist” – the full-time performance and presentation of middle-sized or large illusion shows on stage with big equipment, lights, dancers and music – and what it takes for professional and aspiring magicians to become one.

Do I need to be a magician first before becoming an illusionist? 

Yes, it is highly recommended. Keep it in mind: to be an illusionist on stage – with large equipment, lights, music and dancers or even television cameras – does not automatically make you a great magician.
 
To be an illusionist is to be a type of magician as much as performing card tricks, close-up magic, kid’s magic shows or comedy magic – with some key additional elements. 
But as with those other categories, it is important to first study the roots, principals and techniques of magic, to see which of the styles of magic you enjoy most and to educate yourself on tricks, presentations and shows.

What Type Of Magic Tricks Do Illusionists Perform?

There are mid-sized illusions and big illusions. Normally illusionists use big magic equipment to perform on a large stage, magic illusions such as: making someone levitate; making a person fly on stage; making a person or animal appear or disappear; cutting a body; making predictions; and many more!
Prepare yourself as a showman and a businessperson, learning how to handle different types and sizes of audiences, as well as marketing and promotion of your magic business, before moving forward to create your illusion show.

 

There are many aspects to becoming an illusionist, so I will organize this answer into five parts:

1.