Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Christopher Barker. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Christopher, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I first became interested in magic when I was a student in college. I had my first close up experience in Edinburgh, Scotland, where I had been spending part of the summer with my brother and a group of improv performers at the Fringe Festival. One of the improv performers was a magician, and he ended up showing me a few effects with cards. After I showed some interest, he recommended a book to me and it was that book got me started on the path to wanting to learn more!

That first book was my introduction to all things magic, and it truly only scratched the surface of the art form. Once I got my first gig at a pizza parlor I learned the difference between being able to do a trick and being able to perform a trick. Like many other things, learning how to do magic takes time and effort, but it is fairly straightforward. Once you practice enough you should be able to do the trick and get the desired effect. However, learning how to perform magic requires another set of skills. For me, the performing is largely about the interpersonal and audience management skills, both of which come from experience and thoughtful reflection.

In my case, I could have sped up the learning process by finding ways to connect more with the magic community at the start. Developing a network of mentors and mentees has helped me to greatly expedite my own learning process, and I wish I would have done it much sooner!

The skills that have been most essential for me while learning magic have been creativity, patience and humility. It is rare to become proficient at something right away, so I have found that it is best to be patient with myself and enjoy the learning process. In regards to humility there needs to be a willingness to fail and open up about struggles, and also recognize that you can learn how to improve in your craft from almost everyone. Pride or ego would get in the way of seeing opportunity for improvement, and because magic would struggle to exist without spectators their voices matter a lot!

Currently the only obstacle that stands in my way of learning more is my very busy teaching and coaching schedule. It would be nice to have a traditional 9 to 5 job that would give me more time in the evenings to practice, but teaching is one of those roles that makes you feel as if you’re always on call. I just have to make due with what time I have for now. Breaks from school do offer some time to practice, but much of that time is dedicated to family and friends.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I first got introduced to magic by another magician when I was a student in college. After meeting the magician I purchased a book about card magic, and very soon after that I started performing strolling magic at a pizza parlor. I would go table to table and show tricks to customers, and in a small college town I quickly became the “magic man” at the pizza parlor. When I think back to that origin I realize that I had put the cart well before the horse. Many magicians will spend months or years developing the sleight of hand necessary for effects, but I had jumped straight into performing. The great thing about that experience was that I was able to learn some important lessons about the industry on my own, and I figured out very quickly what type of service I want to provide with my magic. When I would table hop I made it a point to build a connection with my spectator and to make their few minutes with me as memorable as possible. Ideally I want them to leave with a feeling, and this is something I still live by as I perform more now. I work closely with my clients to determine the best type of magic for their event, and I also design routines that match the theme of what they are providing. For example, I worked a series of kid shows during an event that was about literacy, and I made sure to include a “lesson” through the magic that was meant for the kids who were spectating. I would say that this attention to care and thoughtfulness when planning for a gig do set me apart from an average performer. Before each and every show I will draft a document with a progression of effects that are meant to have a common thread and relate to the event I have been booked for.

On a more practical note, I am fully bilingual in Spanish and English and I have also tried to set myself apart as a performer in both languages. I have already worked a few gigs where some of the clients speak Spanish, and it is very exciting for me to know that I can reach multiple audiences through my performances.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being a magician is having an automatic ice breaker that allows me to connect with other people. I love interacting with people, and even if there are those who do not want to see magic it still becomes a conversation starter that allows for honest and open connections to be made. At the same time, I do believe that magic offers the opportunity to meet all kinds of performers and to learn from them. One of my most rewarding recent experiences was traveling to Spain and Portugal for a month and spending time with magicians. Many of them have a philosophy on magic that aligns with my own, so by seeing them in action it helped me see where I can grow and continue to polish my routines. Finally, the magic community as a whole can be very welcoming and helpful. That openness keeps the art form alive and helps creatives find a space to share ideas and offer advice.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

The main goal that is driving my creative journey is to get magic in front of as many people as possible. I want people to love watching and experiencing magic and to find a way to build a personal connection with what they are seeing. I also believe that it is important to keep the performance art alive and to build a strong magician community that is accessible to all. One step I took to meeting that goal was teaching a two week card class to high school students. I was astounded by the original thinking and dedication to the craft that came through during the first iteration of the class, so I am very excited to be teaching the course again this year!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://barkermagic.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barkermagicstl?igsh=MTlyNWY3Ynlnd2RxOQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089664740926

Image Credits

Lindy Drew of Humans of St. Louis