We were lucky to catch up with David & Brayden recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi David & Brayden, so excited to have you with us today, particularly to get your insight on a topic that comes up constantly in the community – overcoming creativity blocks. Any thoughts you can share with us?
We believe that in order to beat Creativity Blocks, it is good to have multiple ideas running at once. Once we reach a block with an idea, it goes to the bottom of the list and we pursue something else until the blocked idea finds its way back to the surface. Oftentimes it comes back to the surface once you start to forget about it. If it never surfaces, we keep it on the back burner to be used for something later.
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?
We are a magic and comedy duo from Columbus, Ohio. We travel the country performing our original 2 man show, “The Good Boys of Magic” The show blends each of our unique performing styles, senses of humor, and eclectic magical talents to create one cohesive, yet chaotic experience. You can see us locally at the Two Dollar Soup Variety Show, or P3 Magic Theater where we are resident performers. You can also catch us on the road this summer at the Chicago Magic Lounge, or Cleveland’s Playhouse Square.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
For our act in particular, it would have to be collaboration, dedication, and originality. Each of these are essential to maintaining a duo act. We absolutely have to collaborate, whether we’re packing the car before a show, writing new material, or performing the show, It is essential that we show up for the act and for each other wholly. The mixing of both of our ideas, expertise, and skills is what makes us stand out. Friendship as a foundation also definitely doesn’t hurt.
This is where dedication comes in, If only one person in a duo is dedicated to its success, it will only ever be 50% successful. But truth be told, if you are passionate about what you are doing, dedication comes naturally.
The last area that has been important to us is originality. In an art as old as magic, or as ubiquitous as comedy, It can sometimes feel like every idea has been explored. Sometimes you’ll have the perfect idea only to discover somebody 20 years ago already thought of it, and executed it. It’s important to be able to not only come up with your own ideas, but to be able to build upon ideas that already exist, and make them your own.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
The first book we really explored together specifically for the act was “No Acting Please” by Eric Morris and Joan Hotchkis
The book is collection of audition monologues that emphasize authenticity over theatricality, encouraging actors to strip away performance habits and connect truthfully with the material. Basically it says that the key to acting is just “being”. We also got very similar feelings from Rick Rubin’s book “The Creative Act: A Way of Being”. Rubin’s book shares many of the same theme’s, but in the context of creativity as a whole, not just acting.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://davidandbrayden.com
- Instagram: @davidandbrayden
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewellDeweese
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DavidnBrayden
- Other: TikTok: @davidandbrayden
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
