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I recently had the pleasure of appearing on the first episode of The Post-Gig Report, hosted by my friend and fellow Chicago magician BJ Kirshenbaum.
BJ created the podcast to explore what life is really like for working entertainers—the performances, preparation, strange situations, unexpected challenges, and stories that happen behind the scenes. Since BJ and I first met while performing at the Chicago Magic Lounge, our conversation naturally covered a lot of ground. We talked about my early interest in magic, growing up in Rock Island, discovering performers through television specials, and finding mentorship through local magic clubs. We also discussed my return to the Chicago magic community, my work at the Chicago Magic Lounge, and one of the most important lessons I have learned as a performer: the show is not about impressing other magicians. It is about creating the best possible experience for the audience. Of course, I also shared a few performance war stories—including the time, as a teenage magician, I accidentally set a pile of paper streamers on fire during a Lions Club show. Fortunately, the carpet survived. One of my favorite moments in the conversation came when BJ asked why I continue performing. My answer was that when I am performing magic, I feel like the best version of myself. Magic requires complete focus. It forces me to be present, connect with people, and temporarily set aside the distractions of everyday life. It also allows me to bring audiences a little laughter, hope, happiness, and wonder. I believe the world needs more of those things. We also talked about what comes next, including my desire to develop more theatrical magic, expand my Anything Is Possible show, and focus on fewer—but more meaningful—performances. You can hear the full conversation on The Post-Gig Report. Listen on Spotify: Ryan Lawrence on The Post-Gig Report My thanks to BJ Kirshenbaum for inviting me to be his first guest—and for the excellent homemade pizza. Comments are closed.
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