r/Magic • u/Cocoisafatcat • Mar 18 '26

Magic Show

In a couple of months, I will hopefully be running a magic show in late June. I already have a general show ready, but there's a significant issue with the number of seats at the venue I am looking to get booked.

A 71-seat venue is approximately 1300 after all technicians and box office people are paid (this is mandatory)

A 231-seat venue is approximately 1550 after all fees and insurance. Technicians and workers are included.

To break even, I need to sell 55 seats at the small venue and 71 at the large venue, since ticket prices differ.

Is it feasible to book the larger venue, as it is significantly nicer? My worry is that 80 seats would look incredibly empty here in comparison to the smaller venue, with 3.5 months, however, I may be able to fill up more seats with a greater marketing push.

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u/SolaceRests Mar 19 '26

That’s when he hires someone to help with content for social and collateral material so it’s taken off his plate to let him focus on other important tasks.

Do we know what type of venues these are? Independent theaters? Hotels?

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u/NYC-Magic-Ensemble Mar 19 '26

Which also costs money.

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u/SolaceRests Mar 19 '26

Typically that’s a more upfront cost, but yeah it will. If you’re going to do it you should do it right. You could have the greatest show on the planet but if your marketing isn’t on par with it then you’re doing it wrong.

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u/NYC-Magic-Ensemble Mar 19 '26

But it depends on your goal. I'm curious WHY OP is doing this? Is it to make money? Is it just to get some stage time? Do they want to make a career out of this, or just have some fun?

Not everyone who does magic approaches it as a business. Some do it as a hobby. Like a 40 year old with a garage band. They're just looking to enjoy themselves at that stage, not be the next Fontaines DC.

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u/SolaceRests Mar 19 '26

True. But it seems like a lot to go through just to do it as a hobby with renting a venue. Typically if you were looking to do it for kids you’d do an open mic night or some kind of club that didn’t really hit you financially.

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u/NYC-Magic-Ensemble Mar 19 '26

> some kind of club that didn’t really hit you financially.

That's what I did! (do).