Hi Friends,
It’s me — Michael Misko, your friendly neighborhood magic director.
I start every coaching session by asking my clients about their character – what they portray onstage. And almost every time their answer is, “I don’t really have a character. I’m just me.”
I’m here to tell you two things:
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All due respect: this is incorrect. You DO have a character, it just isn’t fleshed out. Which means you can’t describe it yet.
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If you don’t know how to describe your character, your audience will do it for you. Spoiler alert: it won’t be pretty.
The audience is already mentally describing you from the second you step on stage. You can either pick the description on purpose, or let them decide for you.
How do I know this? I lived it. I used to walk on stage, going through the motions, telling the jokes, doing the tricks, hitting the beats, but the show was still missing the mark. It wasn’t until a trusted performer friend took me aside after my show and slapped me with the truth:
“They didn’t come to see a lecture. Stop talking at them.
You have a viewpoint. Use it.”
That one conversation changed everything for me. And the good news is: I have a solution for you, too! In the video below I have put together a simple exercise that helps you narrow down exactly what you’re presenting on stage. Try it out and you’ll be one step closer to nailing your character and presenting a more cohesive product for your clients!
WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW!
This is the kind of thing I do when I direct magicians:
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Help you see your work without rose-colored glasses
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Fix the little habits that undercut your impact
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Sharpen your routine so the audience gets what you want them to get
If you’re serious about taking your magic to the next level, this is your chance. Check out all the details at my coaching site:
Best,
Michael
PPS – If you wanted to order a copy of my book, Comedy, Character & Control, recently reviewed by Genii Magazine, click HERE.
PPPS – If you wanted a copy of my essay, This Will Be Mic, So There’s No Confusion, nearly 30 pages on using a handheld mic for the stand-up entertainer, you can get that by clicking HERE.