Theatre of Illusion.
We had a busy, but magic filled weekend. Saturday, we took the kids to see The Spencers, Theatre of Illusion. The magicians Kevin and Cindy Spencer performed at our local community college theater, but do not be fooled. The production was fantastic, worthy of a far bigger stage than that might make it sound. The show tours the country so if they come by you, I highly recommend it, especially as a family fun activity. (You can find details about them and their schedule here: http://www.spencersmagic.com/ )
Even more awesome, this was a special needs friendly performance which generally means the flash and bang are cut back so as not to overstimulate those kids with a sensitivity to that. The style and showmanship were top notch, and I can see why they've won many awards for their performances. They engaged the audience in a way that invited you to be a part with the show, not just sit back and be clinical observers. Oh, sure, they had the typical volunteers from the audience, but it wasn't just that. It was the story telling, the art, of the performance that made you feel like you had a connection to these people, instead of just being up there and doing trick after trick until done. You can tell that they have fun, even though I am certain they must spend a lot of time doing the same performances over and over again.
But what's awesome about them isn't just that they do magic, they also do outreach to the community. Sunday, they held a special class at the theater for kids with special needs. We got to go, and learn a few tricks along with a class of great kids. I really felt that the Spencers and their whole crew knew how to help the kids feel comfortable and empowered up on stage performing their new learned skills for everyone. They even encouraged the kids to develop their own story to go along with their tricks and give them the experience that magic is as much about sharing stories as it is about fooling the eye.
Then, home, my son was not content enough with what he's learned (we also bought a small kit they sell as fundraisers to support their outreach program teaching special needs kids) and now he's spent every spare moment he can watching a show that aired some years back where a magician reveals all the big secrets on how they perform their illusions. It's been magic morning noon and night. But I don't mind. I keep hoping I can get him to do more than just read/watch/observe the illusions and to actually focus long enough to learn more than a handful of tricks. He's got the energy to be up on stage, and he crafted a very fun (if very convoluted) story for his one trick he got up to perform. Now to help him direct it.
Even more awesome, this was a special needs friendly performance which generally means the flash and bang are cut back so as not to overstimulate those kids with a sensitivity to that. The style and showmanship were top notch, and I can see why they've won many awards for their performances. They engaged the audience in a way that invited you to be a part with the show, not just sit back and be clinical observers. Oh, sure, they had the typical volunteers from the audience, but it wasn't just that. It was the story telling, the art, of the performance that made you feel like you had a connection to these people, instead of just being up there and doing trick after trick until done. You can tell that they have fun, even though I am certain they must spend a lot of time doing the same performances over and over again.
But what's awesome about them isn't just that they do magic, they also do outreach to the community. Sunday, they held a special class at the theater for kids with special needs. We got to go, and learn a few tricks along with a class of great kids. I really felt that the Spencers and their whole crew knew how to help the kids feel comfortable and empowered up on stage performing their new learned skills for everyone. They even encouraged the kids to develop their own story to go along with their tricks and give them the experience that magic is as much about sharing stories as it is about fooling the eye.
Then, home, my son was not content enough with what he's learned (we also bought a small kit they sell as fundraisers to support their outreach program teaching special needs kids) and now he's spent every spare moment he can watching a show that aired some years back where a magician reveals all the big secrets on how they perform their illusions. It's been magic morning noon and night. But I don't mind. I keep hoping I can get him to do more than just read/watch/observe the illusions and to actually focus long enough to learn more than a handful of tricks. He's got the energy to be up on stage, and he crafted a very fun (if very convoluted) story for his one trick he got up to perform. Now to help him direct it.