How to Train a Magician's Assistant

A magician's assistant is responsible for not only helping facilitate all the tricks of a show, but also keeping the secrets of the magic that happens on stage. Training someone to do this important position and remain clandestine about its mechanics can be a bit tricky. Following are some steps to help you train a magician's assistant to not only assist in executing your magic but also keep the secrets of the show.

Instructions

1. Begin by acquainting your assistant with the order of your show. Get them familiar with the stage and the various props you will be using.

2. Start divulging tricks to them slowly to test their loyalty and ability to keep a secret. Try to develop a coded language so that only you and your assistant can read the instructions to your tricks.

3. Practice the simpler tricks first, teach them exactly where to stand and what to do for each step. Observe their charisma and interactivity and try to bring out their theatricality, once they've mastered these move on to moderate tricks.

4. Teach them the harder tricks after they have grasped the easy ones, drill them over and over. Test their knowledge of the tricks by having them recite the steps in detail verbally before doing them in person.

5. Run the show from beginning to end after practicing each trick individually. Time the assistant to make sure that the timing on each trick is perfect.

6. Film your performance from as many angles as possible so you can see how your assistant handles possible problems and how gracefully they help you execute your tricks. Continue to rehearse until the routine is flawless, this could all take some time so be patient.

Tips & Warnings

• Get your assistants ideas on how to make the show more comfortable for them, it's important for them to be comfortable with the order and flow of the show for flawless execution.

• Make the language between you and your assistant something that only the two of you know, should you have to get a new assistant you will have to rewrite your tricks so the old one cannot divulge your information to others.

• Have your assistant join a guild of magicians as well, this will not only help their credibility but they will have to take the oath of secrecy to protect your tricks.

• Do not divulge any secrets to someone you deem untrustworthy. Carefully test their credibility and trustworthiness slowly to ensure maximum security of your tricks.