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Hocus Pocus


OUR MISSION:

We all know the determination and focus it takes to master an effect. We also know the sense of satisfaction and self worth that stems from its mastery. These intangible benefits of practicing and performing magic are what Conjuring Arts’ outreach program brings to those who need it most.

Hocus Pocus is designed to teach magic to disadvantaged youth and adults. It is important to note that HPP is not magic entertainment, but magic education. The goal of the program is to empower participants by introducing them to fun and accessible magic effects that, with some effort, they will master and be able to share in other settings.

THE CURRICULUM:

Hocus Pocus curriculum centers around learning how to demonstrate magical powers. The sessions intrigue participants with the concept of learning a “power” that can amaze friends and family. Once a student experiences the rush of having a magical skill that sets them apart from the crowd, it is easy to encourage further study of the art.

Sessions typically run 45 minutes to an hour in length, and Magic Teachers cover two to three tricks in that time period. The session culminates in each student performing part of what they have learned to the group. In this way, they discover the thrill that comes from owning their new powers. In successive sessions, returning students strengthen their grasp of the tricks they have learned, while constantly adding new ones and gaining new powers. Many groups are a fluid mix of old and new students, but the Magic Teachers easily adapt to the varying skill levels and experience of the participants.

HPP students will soon be able to explore magic beyond their lessons through our forthcoming student handbook, The Book of Powers. We are quite pleased to have Alan Kronzek, author of The Secrets of Alkazar, working on this student manual. Its already committed contributors include David Blaine, Teller, Jim Steinmeyer, and many others. It is designed to enhance what is taught on site and will function as both a reference guide for the effects taught by Magic Teachers and as instruction sheets for more advanced applications of the Powers. In addition, it will incorporate accurate, historical and biographical information about some of magic’s finest performers. Reflecting the aim of the Hocus Pocus Project, The Book of Powers will emphasize powerful, effective showmanship. The point is not just to teach a few magic tricks, but to inspire great magic, and a love for the art.

Another way HPP will enable its participants to explore magic is through Ask Alexander. Conjuring Arts plans to develop a portion of Ask Alexander specifically dedicated to the motivated Hocus Pocus student. For those who are interested, Hocus Pocus will provide free access to select materials through the Ask Alexander database to any student who desires advanced studies, or expresses an interest in magic history.

WHERE WE TEACH:

Children’s Hospitals were the first target of the Hocus Pocus Project and remain the places where we have the largest presence. All of our Magic Teachers are rigorously trained to deal with the particular emotional, physical, and hygienic challenges of working with seriously ill children. Typically, two to three HPP Instructors lead patients in the hour-long group session. The Magicians conduct bedside visits for patients who, for whatever reason, are unable to be present for the class.

WHAT WE OFFER TO CHILDREN:

  • Distraction from physical pain
  • Empowerment
  • Participation
  • A break from monotony
  • Something to look forward to
  • An art form that also strengthens ancillary abilities like social skills, physics and math comprehension, and problem solving
  • A performance art that teaches self esteem and confidence
  • A series of skills that can be used in everyday life
  • Fun

WHAT WE OFFER TO PARENTS/SIBLINGS:

  • Rest from providing primary emotional support
  • Distraction from the monotony of waiting long hours
  • A reminder that their child can still be happy
  • Moments where “normality” is back in the life of their child
  • An activity/hobby that parents and children can cultivate together outside the hospital
  • Fun

PARTICIPATING CHILDREN’S HOSPITALS:

  • New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital: HPP launched its pilot program at Morgan Stanley in June of 2007, and we have since been frequent visitors.
  • NYU Langone Medical Center: Begun in May of 2009, NYU is now on our regular weekly rotation.
  • The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM): As of November, 2009. Montefiore is ranked among the best pediatric specialty hospitals by US News & World Report. We are thrilled to bring the Hocus Pocus Project to this prestigious medical community, and we are especially excited because we will reach out to three different patient populations in three separate units: Hematology & Oncology, Adolescents, and Dialysis.

Veteran’s Hospitals: A natural extension for HPP is to our servicemen and women. Many veterans have suffered years of mental and physical trauma as a result of their service, but the therapeutic effects of learning magic are quickly apparent. Working with veterans allows for a more long-term teaching structure, as many students return week after week.

THE BENEFITS FOR VETERANS:

  • Empowerment
  • Relief from boredom
  • Increased self-confidence
  • Inspired curiosity
  • Increased socialization and interaction with fellow veterans
  • Fun

PARTICIPATING VETERANS HOSPITALS:

  • Manhattan Veteran’s Hospital: We have been weekly visitors here since January of 2008.
  • Brooklyn VH Campus in Bay Ridge: Though we began here relatively recently (August, 2009), the Brooklyn Veterans have proved to be one of our most consistent and vibrant groups.

At-Risk Youth: Working with at-risk youth is the final and perhaps most important thrust of the Hocus Pocus Project because it is this from this population that we hope to train eager and talented students to become our future Magic Teachers, thus perpetuating the program and further extending its reach.

WHAT WE OFFER:

  • Empowerment
  • Increased ability to focus on and follow through with tasks
  • An art form that also strengthens ancillary abilities like social skills, physics and math comprehension, and problem solving
  • A performance art that teaches self esteem and confidence
  • An alternative to dangerous and destructive activities
  • Fun

PARTICIPATING PROGRAMS:

  • The Door: David Blaine first brought The Door to our attention, after visiting there and performing for the hundreds of young people that The Door serves every day. We have been teaching a weekly class here since March 2009. The students are in their mid to late teens, and many have become regular and eager students of magic.
  • The City of New York Department of Juvenile Justice: In March of 2009, we began talks with Mayor Bloomberg’s Office and the DJJ about bringing the Hocus Pocus Project to minors at Crossroads, one of their highest security detention centers. This incredible challenge is also a perfect opportunity to prove how tangibly transformative magic can be. An 8-week trial program begins in December, 2009.

OUR MAGICIAN TEACHERS:

Doug McKenzie is the Supervising Magic Teacher for the Hocus Pocus Program at the Manhattan Veteran’s Hospital, NYU Langone Pediatric Ward, and The Door. In addition to heading these programs, Doug maintains a busy schedule traveling across the globe performing his own brand of magic at trade shows, conventions, fundraisers, dinner banquets, and private parties. Doug also serves as head magic consultant to David Blaine for both his live performances and television work. Originally from Scotland, Doug has lived all over the world including Oman, Saudi Arabia, Germany, and the United Kingdom. He is currently based in New York City and holds a B.S in finance from New York University’s Stern School of Business. He is fluent in English, German, and Arabic.

P.G. Varola is the Supervising Magic Teacher for the Brooklyn Veterans Hospital and the three pronged program at Montefiore Children’s Hospital, and he is spearheading the forthcoming program at the Department of Juvenile Justice. P.G. is a European trained performer with over 20 years experience working in the circus and magic world internationally. He has performed for Pope John Paul II, Jacques Chirac, Silvio Berlusconi, Benny Hill and Claudia Schiffer as well as Fortune 500 companies. For the past 10 years, P.G. has worked with New York’s Big Apple Circus Clown Care, bringing magic to children in hospitals. P.G. considers himself a student of magic history and travels worldwide to perform at private events.

Ricky Smith tirelessly contributes his patience and skill to our programs at the Manhattan and Brooklyn Veterans Hospitals, NYU Langone, Montefiore, and The Door. Volunteering for the Hocus Pocus project has been one of the most rewarding experiences for Ricky since moving to New York to work at the Conjuring Arts Research Center. He has lived in Texas, where he worked for H & R Magic Books, and California, where he studied engineering at Cal Poly, SLO. A lifelong magician, he has been profiled in and written articles for MAGIC magazine. He has also lectured and performed at several conventions for magicians, including 31 Faces North. Being at Conjuring Arts allows him privileged access to a lot of wonderful magic which he hopes to share with others through the HPP program.

Rich Kameda teaches weekly at the Manhattan Veterans Hospital and NYU Langone. Rich is a second generation Japanese American, and he makes use of his bilingual skills both in his work for Hocus Pocus and in his repertoire outside the program. Rich’s clients include the Asian American Arts Alliance, the New York Historical Society, and ESPN. He has also consulted for theatre and television.

Steve Cuiffo has taught at Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital, the Manhattan and Brooklyn Veteran’s Hospitals, and The Door. Steve is a New York based actor, magician, and member of the experimental theatre collective, The Wooster Group. In New York, Steve has performed his magic at St. Ann’s Warehouse, Joe’s Pub, P.S. 122, The Zipper Theatre, and the New York Victory Theater on Broadway, among other venues. He has worked as a magic consultant for David Blaine’s television specials and directed “An Evening of Intimate Magic with Eric DeCamps.” From February to May of 2007, he collaborated with Christine Jones in the Princeton University Atelier Program developing, with magic, her creation of Theatre for One. Steve is on the board of directors for Conjuring Arts Research Center.

Spencer Peterson teaches frequently at The Door. A student of sleight of hand and photography, he is fluent in nearly four languages. Spencer plans to attend University in California to further advance his skills in photography and allied visual arts.

GET INVOLVED:

We all know how magic has transformed our own lives and HPP is working to give that gift of possibility to others who can appreciate it. Please contact Janie Brookshire, HPP Administrator (janie@conjuringarts.org), if you would like to get involved with Hocus Pocus. We can use your support in many ways.