We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Clarence Pearsall aka C. Magic a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Clarence, so happy you were able to devote some time to sharing your thoughts and wisdom with our community. So, we’ve always admired how you have seemingly never let nay-sayers or haters keep you down. Can you talk to us about how to persist despite the negative energy that so often is thrown at folks trying to do something special with their lives?
I find my strength and intestinal fortitude to continue my illustrious journey as a professional magician despite nay-sayers and haters. Although it can be challenging, I do have a few strategies that help me on the path:
1. Belief in myself: The first and most important step is to believe in my abilities and the value I bring as a magician. Develop a strong belief in myself and my craft. Remind myself of my passion, talent, and the joy I bring to my audience.
2. Surround myself with positivity: I Cultivate a supportive network of friends, family, and fellow magicians who believe in me and my abilities. Surrounding myself with positive influences helps me stay motivated and encouraged during times of negativity.
3. Focus on my fans and audience: Instead of dwelling on the nay-sayers and haters, I focus my energy on my fans and audience who appreciate my work ethics and find value in it. Engage with them and seek feedback, as their support can reinforce my confidence.
4. Continuous improvement and learning: I Never stop honing my craft. I embrace continuous improvement by constantly learning new tricks, techniques, or presentation skills. The more I develop my skills, the more confident I will become, and the harder it will be for detractors to undermine me.
5. Handle criticism constructively: Constructive criticism can be valuable for growth, but not all criticism is useful. I had to learn to differentiate between feedback that genuinely helps me to improve versus the baseless negative rhetoric. Using constructive criticism to refine my performances and adapt to the expectations and preferences of my audience.
6. Cultivate resilience: Understand that facing criticism and negativity is part of any creative endeavor. Develop resilience to overcome setbacks and bounce back stronger. I learn from negative experiences and use them as stepping stones toward my goals.
7. Stay focused ofomy goals: I constantly remind myself of my long-term aspirations and the reasons why you became a magician in the first place. I use my goals as a driving force to persist, no matter what others may say.
Remember, success often comes to those who persist despite the challenges and nay-sayers. I stay dedicated, work hard, and keep believing in myself and my passion for magic.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am Clarence H. Pearsall III, aka C. Magic an award-winning magician located in the Metro Atlanta area.
I have been performing magic professionally for over seven years and have the perfect blend of technical skills, humor, and showmanship that will excite and delight people of all ages.
My style of magical creativity interfuses “old school” and “today’s” music with, mind-blowing magic routines and effects, along with my comedic edge that will have the audiences engaged with laughter, intrigued with my magical shenanigans, and I love creating moments where the audience will be on the edge of their seats filled with excitement and wonder!
Over the years, I have constantly improved my craft by performing at various venues locally and across the country some of which include the Dunwoody Nature Center, the Atlanta Botanical Garden, the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta-Scottish Rite Hospital, various corporate events, private parties, birthdays of all ages, gender reveals, weddings, engagements, and community events. I have also performed in Europe and on television, and I have been featured in several magazine and newspaper articles.
If you are in search of something interesting, fun, exciting, and magical to add to your list of entertainment, I am confident that I will meet and exceed your expectations as an accomplished comedy magician and entertainer!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I can suggest three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that could be impactful in your journey as an entertainer, along with advice on how to develop or improve them:
1. Technical expertise: Mastering the technical aspects of entertainment is crucial. Practice and refine your skills consistently to become proficient as an entertainer. Seek guidance from experienced entertainers, jand utilize online resources and tutorials to enhance your technical expertise.
2. Performance and showmanship: A strong stage presence and compelling performance style can elevate your act. Study the art of theatrical performance, learn about body language, voice projection, timing, and audience engagement. Seek opportunities to perform in front of different audiences, whether it’s at local events, open mic nights, or even talent show competitions. Reflect on your performances, identify areas for improvement, and refine your stagecraft to connect with and captivate your audience.
3. Marketing and self-promotion: Developing marketing and self-promotional skills is essential for gaining visibility and securing bookings as a professional entertainer. Learn about branding, social media marketing, creating a website, designing promotional materials, and crafting engaging online content. Network with event organizers, wedding planners, and other professionals in the entertainment industry to expand your connections. Consider attending industry conferences and workshops to learn from experts and stay informed about the latest trends.
In the early stages of your journey, it’s important to absorb as much knowledge and experience as possible. Seek mentorship from seasoned entertainers who can provide guidance and feedback specific to your development. Embrace a growth mindset and be open to feedback and constructive criticism. Reflect on your performances, take note of what worked well, and identify areas that need improvement. Practice regularly and find opportunities to perform in front of audiences, as this will help you build confidence and stage presence.
Additionally, embrace continuous learning by immersing yourself in books, videos, and online resources related to your specific entertainment. Join entertainment communities or forums where you can connect with fellow entertainers, share insights, and seek advice. Most importantly, enjoy the process and preserve your passion for entertaining, as that will be the driving force that keeps you motivated and fuels your growth as a professional entertainer.
All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
It is truly unfortunate that the magic industry, like many other industries, still faces challenges when it comes to diversity and inclusion. However, I am determined to overcome these barriers and expose the gatekeepers that maintain the status quo of lack of diversity and lack of inclusion. Here are a few steps I am taking to contribute to positive change:
1. Raise awareness: Using my platform as a magician to raise awareness about the lack of diversity and inclusion in the industry. Speak up about the issue in interviews, social media posts, and other public forums. Educate my audience and fellow magicians about the importance of diversity, representation, and equal opportunities for all.
2. Support fellow magicians of color: Use my influence to uplift and support other magicians of color. Promote their work on social media, refer them to opportunities, collaborate with them, or even mentor aspiring magicians from underrepresented communities. By actively supporting and amplifying the voices of others, we can help create a more inclusive industry.
3. Engage with organizations and events: Connect with organizations and events that promote diversity and inclusion in the magic community. Offering my support as a performer, speaker, or advocate. Collaborate with event organizers to ensure diverse representation and actively participate in discussions about inclusivity.
4. Create our own opportunities: If traditional gatekeepers are not providing us with the opportunities we deserve, consider creating our own. Host our own shows, develop our own magic events, or utilize online platforms to reach larger audiences. By taking charge of our own careers and by creating our own opportunities, we can sidestep the traditional barriers and build a platform on our terms.
5. Collaborate with allies: Develop relationships with individuals and organizations that are committed to diversity and inclusion. Collaborating with allies who share our goals and values can create a stronger collective voice for change. Together, we must advocate for more inclusive practices and challenge the status quo.
Remember to approach these efforts with patience and persistence, as change takes time. It is through continued advocacy, community building, and challenging existing structures that progress can be made. By taking a proactive stance, speaking out against inequality, and actively supporting fellow magicians of color, we can help create a more diverse and inclusive future for the magic industry.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cmagichappen.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/c.magic_happen
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/cmagichappen123
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clarence-pearsall-iii-214aa858?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=android_app
- Twitter: https://x.com/cmagichappen?t=CCZFAoJq7GqqxU_DiTfUEA&s=09
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@C.Magic_Happen?feature=shared
- Yelp: https://yelp.to/ys5g7LZJ2c
- Other: Linktree: https://linktr.ee/cmagichappen EPK (Electronic Press Kit): https://express.adobe.com/page/1pJaGI5gnPqYK/
Image Credits
Vernita “Lady V” Pearsall Dilan Emmanuel Howard Russell
