Building a magic business takes work, because the business has to be learned as much as the magic. Mark Toland knows firsthand.
Toland, a magician who is active in Chicago’s magic scene, also tours across the country performing for private engagements, corporate clients and colleges. He has made a name for himself with a solid show, great personality and a glass-walking act that has taken years of refinement — and a lot of broken bottles.
In addition to learning magic and mentalism, he has learned the business of magic more than most: He is his own agent. That comes with unique burdens and benefits, he said.
One of the benefits is booking. Making the most of a private gig in Pittsburg, Kan., he also booked a kids’ show at the Joplin Public Library for the same trip. He joined us for a dinner break in Joplin between gigs and talked to us about how he manages all the facets of his business, how he approaches tricks for kids and adults, how his character fits into mentalism and how he developed his glass-walking act.
You can see more of Toland on his website and in his weekly Magic Monday videos.
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“There’s nothing intuitive about sleight of hand.”
