Magic terms
Magic encompasses the art of illusions that defy logical explanation, performed by skilled practitioners known as magicians. Magic, magicians, and magic shows combine sleight of hand, misdirection, psychological manipulation, and theatrical storytelling to produce experiences that challenge perceptions of reality. Magic, magicians, and magic shows range from intimate close-up performances to grand stage spectacles, featuring illusions, escapes, mentalism, and comedy.
Magicians have evolved from ancient street performances and court entertainments to sophisticated productions on global stages and television. Contemporary magic shows, such as those by David Copperfield in Las Vegas blend traditional techniques with modern technology and interactive elements to engage diverse audiences. Magicians like Penn & Teller and Shin Lim have achieved international acclaim for innovative approaches and viral performances, while venues such as The Magic Castle serve as hubs for established and emerging talent. Magic shows are accessible through live theater, television specials, and digital platforms, ensuring the appeal and continual reinvention of this performance art.
Mentalist and magician Jon Finch has helped thousands of clients put on fun, interactive, magical events.
Types of magic shows
Types of magic are genres of magical performance categorized by venue, audience proximity, the scale...
Coin magic
Coin magic is a form of prestidigitation that focuses on the manipulation and tricks involving...
Types of Magic Tricks
Magician Jon Finch identifies nine categories of magic tricks, each describing a class of magic...
Cardistry
Cardistry is the performance art of card flourishing, where playing cards are manipulated with precision...
Gimmicks
A gimmick is a device constructed to create an illusion, facilitate secret actions, or shape...
Magicians
Magicians are practitioners of the performance art of magic, creating illusions of impossible feats for...
Stagecraft
Stagecraft is the art of designing, organizing, and executing visual, auditory, and environmental elements that...
sleight of hand
Sleight of hand is a disciplined practice of dexterous hand movements used to manipulate objects...
Optical Illusions
An optical illusion is the phenomenon in which visual stimuli are perceived by the eyes...
Space misdirection
“Space misdirection” in magic performance refers to the technique of diverting the audience’s attention to...
Verbal misdirection | Misdirection techniques
Verbal misdirection is a tool employed within the realm of communication, specifically in rhetoric and...
Time misdirection
Time Misdirection is a cognitive phenomenon involving the manipulation of perceived time to the point...
Transformation
Transformation is a category of magical effect in which one object, entity, or substance is...
Houdini Straitjacket Escape
Straitjacket escape is a performance art, primarily associated with escapology and magic shows, where the...
One-Handed Cuts | Cardistry One-Handed
“One-Handed Cuts” is a specialized category of card manipulation techniques, utilized predominantly in the domain...
Rough and Smooth
Rough and Smooth is a card‐magic principle in which selected cards are treated with a...
Theatre Set Design
Theatre set design is the process of designing and creating physical environments for use in...
Optical illusions
Optical illusions are visual deception that exploit the discrepancies between perception and reality to create...
Vanishing Act
“Vanishing Act” describes the magic act of making something disappear on stage. Despite its theatrical...
Trap door
A trap door is a magic apparatus in which a hidden, hinged, or removable section...
Smoke Screen Effects
A smoke screen is a sophisticated misdirection technique employed by magicians and mentalists to conceal...
Linking Rings
The Chinese Linking Rings is the second oldest trick in magic. Characterized by a set...
Cups and Balls Routine
Cups and Balls Routine is a classic magic performance involving the manipulation of balls and...
Final Load Reveal
“Final Load Reveal” is a term used in the entertainment industry, particularly in magic and...
Nesting Cups | Nested Cup
Nested Cup Tricks is a form of sleight of hand magic that involves the skillful...
Penetration illusions
Penetration illusions are optical phenomena where an object appears to pass through another solid object,...
Zig-Zag Girl Illusion
Zig-Zag Girl Illusion is a classic magic trick that mesmerizes audiences with its baffling optical...
Floating Table Trick
The Floating Table Trick is a mesmerizing illusion that creates the appearance of a table...
Quick Change Act
Quick Change Act is a performance art form characterized by rapid costume changes executed seamlessly...
Multiplying Balls Effect
The Multiplying Balls Effect is a classic magic trick that involves the appearance of multiple...
Vanishing Bird Cage Illusion
The Vanishing Bird Cage Illusion is a classic magic trick that involves making a bird...
Parlor Magic
Parlor Magic is a form of magic performance that takes place in an intimate setting,...
Street Magic
Street Magic is a form of magic performance that takes place in public locations, typically...
Gimmick
A gimmick denotes a specially prepared device or mechanism designed to facilitate a trick or...
Patter | Scripting magic
Patter is a specialized form of speech used by magicians and mentalists to enhance their...
Prestidigitation
Prestidigitation is the art of performing magic tricks with skillful sleight of hand. It involves...
Transformation
Transformation is the profound process of altering, reshaping, or changing the form, appearance, or nature...
Transposition
Transposition is the exchange or relocation of two objects, people, or elements in a way...
Restoration
Restoration is a category of magical effect in which an object is deliberately destroyed—such as...
Production
Production is a principal category of magical effect in which the magician causes an object,...
Miser's Dream
“Miser’s Dream” is a classic magic trick that involves producing coins from thin air. Originally...
Conjuring
Conjuring refers to the act of summoning something supernatural through a ritual or spell. Conjuring...
The Houdini Museum of New York, located at Fantasma Magic, houses over 1,500 pieces of...
Levitation
Levitation is a magic illusion where an object or person appears to defy gravity by...