The Magic Castle and My Story…
The Magic Castle in Hollywood, CA
When I was 12 years old, having already been two years into my childhood magic career, a mentor of mine in the magic community had suggested that I try out to be a member of the Magic Castle's Junior Society.
For those who are unfamiliar with the Magic Castle [known as, “The Academy of Magic Arts” or “The Castle”], it is an invite-only magician’s nightclub located in Hollywood, California. Every week, a new lineup of magicians from all over the world come to perform to the club’s members and their invited guests. There are an abundance of show rooms within the castle walls. Each room being a different size, catering to different styles of magic: close-up, bar, parlor, and stage magic. Being such a unique club in the heart of Hollywood, notable movie stars, athletes, and other famous faces commonly come in with their guests and enjoy all that The Castle has to offer.
Among other requirements one must meet to enter the club, The Castle restricts entry to individuals who are under the age of 21. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. Keeping in mind that the two types of people that enter the club are either members or guests, individuals under 21 can enter as guests during the Saturday and Sunday brunch shows. Once you receive an invitation, you must call in advance and pre-book a brunch reservation for you and your party.
Assuming you receive the guest invitation, arranging a brunch trip with minors to The Castle is a fairly simple process. But trying to be a member as a minor is a completely different story.
In 1975, Dianna Zimmerman, a prolific member of the academy, had pushed for The Castle to develop a junior society, centered around the goal of strengthening the future of magic by seeking rising magicians between the ages of 13 and 20 and honing their skills as they grow. After much hesitation from the Castle’s board members to allow qualified minors as members, they approved of the program, since its overarching goal was one that they all cared for.
The junior program has a rigorous audition process for acceptance; the majority of children and youth fail on their first attempt at trying out. I would know because I tried out at 12 years old and didn’t make the cut. Yes, I did try out one year earlier than the required minimum age limit, but I wanted to see if I could somehow be considered regardless. Six months later, once I was “of age”, I auditioned again and was accepted into the program by the committee. In order to sustain membership, a junior member must attend the majority of meetings per year and also show activity within the program by performing and workshopping their routines. If a junior shows a lack of participation within the program, they risk jeopardizing their standing as a member.
I have learned a lot since I became a member of the Junior Society. Though the program taught me new magic and a more refined way to my execute routines, that was just a fraction of what it really had to offer. I realized that the program directors wanted to help the juniors beyond the scope of only becoming better magicians. They pushed us to become better individuals by offering us invaluable lectures about personal goal setting, relationship building, and career growth (beyond the scope of a career in magic). The directors understood that some junior members will go on to be full-time magicians, while others would keep magic in their lives while also pursuing other careers in different industries. They were okay with either outcome which I feel allows for a more diverse junior body. The common interest that is shared is, of course, magic. But it is those other interests that make each junior member unique. You may even see a performance piece relating to their other interest - this is how many of my original routines have been developed. At its core, the board members of the Junior Society truly care for each of its members and their respective growth in life.
In all, I am extremely grateful for being excepted into the Magic Castle's junior society. Though I am now an alumni, I still hold many lessons I've learned from the program close to me which continue to help me grow in the different avenues I take in life.
