It might be magic experienced totally in the dark, only through the senses of hearing and touch (Juan Varellaʼs From the Dark); or a show the audience watches both onstage and backstage (Simon Coronel and Shoot Ogawaʼs Very Strange Monday Night Show); or a two-man show performed by now “ex-friends,” each on either side of a wall dividing the stage (Jonathan Levit and Mad Tad); or even a presentation with lots of audience participation, but no magician (Richard Wisemanʼs Experimental).

Each of these was a high concept, a different “frame” for our art.

MAGIC Live and the Academy of Magical Arts have joined forces to search the worldwide magic community to not only find magicians with new theatrical approaches but to help them get these ideas out of their heads and onto a stage.

At Live this summer, we’ll be featuring four of these new concepts, with each performer(s) showcasing a sample of their works in progress. This parlor show is called ETC, which is short for Experimental Theater Concepts. Also, it’s a nod to et cetera – that these pieces will continue to develop, with the next step possibly The Peller Theatre at the Magic Castle.