MAGIC SHOP - Daytona Magic, Inc.

By Irv Cook

Magicians who work primarily doing school shows are some of the hardest working professionals in our business. Building up a list of schools that you can go back to every year takes a lot of preliminary work, a good talent, and the ability to have the kids have a great time and learn something.

There are many different ways to go about getting school shows. For me the most successful was to go down to my local phone company, get some directories for the cities where I was interested in working, and writing down the address and phone number of each school. Today this can be done on the internet. At this point I would call each school and find out the name of the principal. I would then send the principal a brochure of myself, and a flyer describing my current show. I would also send a few copies of letters of recommendation, from other schools where I entertained.

I would follow up the flyer with a phone call and speak directly to the principal if possible. My conversation would start something like this... "Hi, My name is Irv Cook. I'm the magician that sent you a flyer last week. I'm doing a tour of schools in your city the first two weeks in March, and I was wondering if you would be interested in using my services. I perform a Safety Show or just a fun show. I am familiar with using a magic show as a fund-raiser for a club or the PTA. Do you think that you or anyone in your school would be interested?"

I was surprised at how many times a principal would answer me that although the school does not hire acts directly, the swim team (or other club) is looking to raise some money for new team shirts. Once I've been given the name of the coach, I would contact him and say that the principal recommended that I do a magic show for your group, to raise funds. I would suggest times and dates and would also suggest a way that wouldn't cost the club or school any money.

After ascertaining that the school had 500 or more students, and the auditorium held 250 students, I would tell the coach that tickets could sell for $1.00  They could be sold in advance to every student in the school. I would say that I would do two 40-minute shows with about 30 minutes to reset between performances. I would split the box office with the club. This would give both of us the potential of making a few hundred dollars. Remember folks, I'm talking 1950's and early 1960's dollars. Today $3 to $5 dollars a student would be in line. I always asked that I would be guaranteed at least 100 students a show. That is only four classes.

Many times the principal couldn't use me in the time frame that I wanted. I would become flexible in time of year, or time of day if possible. If they wanted a holiday show, I would schedule one if conceivable. Sometimes the principal would want an entire show for all his students in conjunction with a program. Once you're in, if you're good, you will have a regular school to do every year. Change your show every school year. Do appropriate material. Never embarrass a child on stage. Have a good message with your show like safety or anti-drugs. Have fun and you will be successful.