What are some of the best sources for learning the aspects of magic, that don't hurt your hands, ie. audience management, showmanship etc?

What magicians would you consider the best teachers in these areas?

Dariel Fitzkee, obviously.

Charles Pecor gave a wonderful lecture last year on stage management (where to, and where NOT to, place you and your spectator(s) to direct "strength" or "focus" of attention). Principles such as these allowed Blackstone Jr. to catch the audience WAY offguard and make an elephant "appear" onstage in his Broadway show.

Watch TV magic specials and study folks like Maven, Copperfield, Burton, Henning, Blackstone Jr., McBride and others. See how they stand, gesture, speak and how they direct spectators through the stage environment.

Notice how these folks are never clumsy or unsure of what they're doing. There's never a hint of unpreparedness in their actions.

Watch folks who frequently go out into the audience (mentalists such as Kreskin and Falkenstein & Willard) and try and catch the subtle stuff they do.

Also, watch the ones who bring more than a single person up on stage (Copperfield, Blackstone Jr., Henning) as that can be a nightmare for you as an "onstage manager."

I've mentioned it before in another thread, but I'll say it again...

You simply can't go wrong with Henning Nelms' "Magic and Showmanship: A Handbook for Conjurers."

If you can get a hold of a copy of Juan Tamariz's FIVE POINTS IN MAGIC, you would find some good tips there about how to construct your presentations and direct your audience's attention.

-Marty

Another book on my list would be "Strong Magic" by Darwin Ortiz.

Burt,

You can also add "Our Magic" to your recommended reading list.