An Oral History of the Manufactured Standing Ovation
20 magicians reflect on the long-established practice of getting an audience to their feet, why it works, and when it doesn’t.
May 2026
Features
Time Travel with Joe Strong, the Boy Wizard
Meet a (fictional) young magician and learn about his acts of derring do.
Workshop
Too Many Cooks In The Kitchen
Advice for handling when an audience member (or birthday kid’s parent) tells you how to do your magic show.
Workshop
The Hardest Questions
Taking the tough questions to build the best possible structure for your act.
Workshop
Making Crowd Work Work: More Games to Find the Funny
Five more games that will help you find the funny.
Workshop
A Safe Space for Honest Feedback
Sometimes we get feedback whether we ask for it or not; receiving it and filtering out what will make your act better takes practice.
In Practice
Inventing Magic: With Tobias Dostal
Two wildly creative magicians invent a trick in just one hour.
In Practice
The Reverse Cull
A novel handling of a classic move.
In Practice
Stapled
A snappy opener utilizing a novel gimmick.
Magicana
Give Dance a Chance
A stand-up card routine by Helge Thun—visual and funny!
Perspectives
Jim Carter On Magic
Mr. Carter may not sing and dance like Mr. Carson, but magic holds a special place in his heart.
Perspectives
The Chamber of Secrets: The Misunderstanding
The story of a Thayer-themed diorama.