Phoenix Magic Club

The MC isn’t another act between the acts. Your primary job is to make the entire show feel effortless.

Keep it moving.

Come onstage knowing what happens next. If there’s a delay, fill it. If there isn’t a delay, don’t create one.

Introductions are introductions.

Give the audience just enough information to welcome the next performer. Don’t turn a 40-word introduction into a three-minute biography.

Say the performer’s name clearly.

The most important words in the introduction are their name. Know how to pronounce it, and land on it: “Ladies and gentlemen, John Doe!”

Don’t routinely restart the applause.

The performer just received applause. We heard it. They heard it. The people in the parking lot probably heard it.

If you’re entering while they’re still receiving applause, acknowledging them with “John Doe, ladies and gentlemen!” is great.

But once the applause has ended, we don’t automatically need:

“LET’S HEAR IT ONE MORE TIME!”

Save a second round for moments that actually deserve one. Then it means something.

Don’t review the act we just watched.

“That was AMAZING! Wasn’t that AMAZING? I don’t know how he DID that!”

We were there.

A quick comment can be fun. Then move forward.

Don’t step on the performer’s applause.

Give them their moment. Don’t rush onstage and start your next line while they’re still taking their bow.

Know why you’re talking.

Sometimes you’re entertaining. Sometimes you’re covering a reset. Sometimes you’re giving important information. Sometimes you’re simply introducing the next act.

If none of those things needs to happen, you probably don’t need to be talking.

Don’t make the audience work unnecessarily.

“How’s everybody doing?”

CHEER!

“I CAN’T HEAR YOU!”

They answered the question. Believe them.

Know what’s happening backstage.

Before introducing the next performer, make sure the next performer is actually ready. The stage manager is your friend.

Never announce backstage problems.

“Apparently Bob isn’t ready yet…”

Nope.

As far as the audience knows, everything happening tonight is exactly what we intended.

If something goes wrong, stay relaxed.

The audience often doesn’t know there’s a problem until somebody onstage tells them—with their words, face, or panic.

Your job is confidence.

Above all: the MC connects the show.

Make the performers look good. Make the crew’s job easier. Make the audience feel they’re in capable hands.

And then get out of the way of the magic.