S6E5: Mac King Vegas Afternoon Magic
Mac King tells\xa0us\xa0about his early days performing in comedy clubs and talks about how he keeps things fresh in his show at Harrah's in Vegas.
\nI probably don\u2019t have to say this, but if you\u2019re a magician and don\u2019t know who Mac King is, I hereby revoke your magician card.
\nThat said, Vegas Headliner Mac King is resident magician at Harrah\u2019s Hotel & Casino and has been there for 15 years. This makes him the longest running magician in Vegas to be working at the same hotel!
\nHe\u2019s appeared on TV in countless shows on a variety of stations and in multiple countries. He also performs at corporate events for a select number of clients each year.
\nHe\u2019s authored and co-authored three books on the subject of magic, wears an awesome couch-plaid suit, and has a Fig Newton complex. Yet, according to his wife and daughter, he is a fine husband, a great dad, and all around swell fellow.
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\nSuccess\xa0Quote\nBig slumps come before big jumps. \u2014 Mac's wife \xa0
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\nKeeping his show fresh\n\u2022\xa0He really makes an effort to keep things fresh in his show.\xa0
\n\u2022 Keeps a dialogue open with the audience.\xa0\xa0
\n\u2022\xa0Doesn't just use audience members "as a prop."
\n\u2022\xa0Has a script for structure yet tries to find "little detours" to stray from the script and add variance to his shows.
\n\u2022\xa0Talks a little about burnout and how it's affected him.
\n\u2022\xa0Doesn't really add material, but he finds ways to tighten it.
\n\u2022\xa0Things evolve and change over time.
\n\u2022\xa0How he uses his show to test fly things he'll perform elsewhere, for example the suspension he performed\xa0at the Academy of Magical Arts Awards.
\n\u2022 Likes to "feel rushed" right before\xa0going on stage. It helps him to think on his feet\xa0and discover new things. \xa0
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\nFailure Moment\nTells who he ended up vomiting up a goldfish on stage and how the audience seemed none-the-wiser. And the lessons he learned. \xa0
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\nOther Topics Covered\n\u2022\xa0How your brain still works while you sleep and helps you work out problems.
\n\u2022\xa0Tells his journey in magic\xa0which included a lot of hard work in comedy clubs.
\n\u2022\xa0Working as a magician and sharing the stage with comedians.
\n\u2022\xa0Laughs-per-minute.
\n\u2022\xa0Recording and listening to your shows to make improvements.
\n\u2022 Emulating what you see other successful performers do.
\n\u2022 Having a beginning, middle, and end to your show.
\n\u2022 Finding his niche in Vegas.
\n\u2022 Tells some of the pitfalls he had to overcome before starting his current residence\xa0at Harrah's. \xa0
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\nParting Advice\nDo as many shows as you can and be a good listener. \xa0
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\nRecommended books and resources:\nNote: Many of the links in this section are affiliate links, meaning we\xa0earn a small portion of any sales. If you're enjoying our\xa0podcast and decide to purchase one of the recommended resources or books, please consider using our\xa0affiliate links to help support the work we're doing here at the Successful Performercast. Thanks! \xa0
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\nResources:
\nKeeping a count of all the props you have in your pockets before you go up on stage.
\nBe sure to set up a retirement account. \xa0
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\nBooks:
\nMcComb's Magic by Billy McComb
\n\nHarpo Speaks by Harpo Marx \xa0
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\nWhere can we find Mac King?\nMac Performs at Harrah's Casino in Las Vegas every Tuesday thru Saturday at 1 & 3 PM.
\nMac King's Official\xa0Website
\nTwitter @MacKingShow | Facebook
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