Conjuring College with Josh Staley is part performance and part tutorial. It’s just as entertaining as an actual magic show, maybe more so due to the interactivity inherent to this format. Every participant receives their own magic kit at the start of the session, containing everything required to impress a parent or freak out some friends.
The easy-to-follow demonstrations engage preschoolers, teens, and adults alike, although kids aged between five and twelve are probably the target demographic. The main rule of magic is not to shatter illusions, so I won’t share specific details pertaining to tricks performed or secrets revealed. I will say that Josh Staley teaches his audience how to read minds within the first five minutes (as cool as it sounds) and that his scaffolded approach to teaching works very well in an all-ages context. He starts off with the most basic elements, and builds on each new skill as it is mastered by participants.
The tricks and techniques Josh Staley teaches are accessible to anyone capable of identifying shapes, counting to five, and following basic instructions. However, anyone can enjoy mastering these tricks, all of which are impressive to behold without requiring too much sleight of hand. In addition to introducing participants to magic-related terms (and their meanings), Josh Staley shares practical pointers, mnemonic devices, showmanship strategies, and suggestions for how to customise classic illusions in unique ways.
Friendly and approachable, Josh Staley leaves room for the audience to ask questions and add their own asides. He exhibits infinite patience and persistent professionalism, even when younger audience members throw unexpected wild cards - both literal and figurative - in his magical misdirection. Providing one-on-one assistance as needed, Staley offers helpful feedback, cheerful encouragement, and concrete inspiration as well as entertainment.
Conjuring College ends on an unforgettable note, reinforcing the concept of magic as a conduit for the transfer of happiness and wonder. This show is recommended for lovers of magic, curious kids, and wannabe-wizards of any age.