FAQ or Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions about our magic shows.

Booking Questions
How much do you charge?

Prices depend on which package you are interested in, your location, the length of time needed, etc. My prices are competitive, but I do not guarantee that I have the lowest price. I provide a professional quality show that sometimes involves thousands of dollars worth of props. I’ve also invested an untold number of hours to develop and practice my Magic routines.  I aim to deliver a top quality show that audiences consistently find funny and awe inspiring for each and every performance. You may be able to find a lower priced Magician, but you’ll have trouble finding the value that I offer.  For a price quote, please use the Contact Michael page or call my booking assistant at 919-391-8113.

What should you know about deposits and cancellations?

When your program is booked you will be sent a show confirmation, at which time a deposit is required to secure the date. I’d be skeptical of someone who doesn’t ask for a deposit. If you’ve NOT provided partial payment then they have LESS of an obligation to show up for your event. Some performers will cancel a date to take a higher paying show somewhere else. When you secure your date with me, you can rest assured I’ll show up AND be there on time. There are certain conditions under which I will waive a deposit requirement, but that is rare.

If you need to cancel, please email that cancellation to michael@michaeldouglasmagic.com at least four weeks before your scheduled event for a full refund of your deposit. This allows others interested in that same date to enjoy the performances that I share. The deposit on cancellations with less than a four week notice will be applied to a future date to be negotiated. The deposit is forfeited if the rescheduled performance date does not occur within three months of the original date.

What geographic area do you serve?

Although I am a Magician living in Raleigh, I also perform comedy magic shows in other counties and cities throughout North Carolina.

This includes Durham, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Wake Forest, Rocky Mount, Fayetteville, Asheville, Charlotte, Wilmington, Greensville, Jacksonville, and others.  I also serve clients in Virginia and elsewhere.

How far in advance should I contact you to reserve a date?
You should call as early as possible. I book a lot of shows and sometimes have bookings months in advance. To avoid disappointment, contact me once you have a date and time confirmed for your party so I can check my calendar and block out your date. If you only have a tentative date or are unsure of the time, contact me anyway so that I don’t book someone else in a time slot that you may want.
Can you do a shorter show?

Yes, I can do a shorter show but it does not affect the pricing. It takes a lot of effort and time to pack up, travel, setup, and perform a show. The effort involved with doing a show that is shorter than my normal 45 minutes is not much different than the effort to do the normal show. As such, the pricing for shorter shows is the same as the normal show length.

Show Questions
May I photograph or videotape the show?
Photographs are fine. If you share them online, please tag them with #michaeldouglasmagic.  Please do not video record the show. Thanks for understanding.
What kind of tricks do you do?
Sometimes I am asked, “What kind of tricks do you do?”  Well, a textual narrative of a visual art would be boring. Moreover, the effects can change up to 50% from one show to the next based on the amount of time available for the show, the type of audience, and the room and stage sizes.

Suffice it to say that you can expect to see objects defy the laws of physics and to experience unexplainable mind-reading effects. What’s more important is that I get the audience invoved with making the magic happen in a way that generates tons of laughs all along the way. Know that I only use clean comedy and everything will be age appropriate.

When on the party agenda should the magic show start?
I generally recommend that you have me begin walk-around or close-up magic as your guests are arriving.  This helps to break the ice and get people relaxed and laughing early on during the event. If your agenda calls for this type of magic to happen later on then it can go in almost any time slot. If you are including my stand up comedy magic show, that generally goes best after dinner has been enjoyed. So, the only place where a magic performance is ill timed is when people are sitting down to eat. Magic often calls for the hands of an audience member and it always calls for their eyes and attention. Food does not accomodate those needs.
Space Questions
Do you perform outdoors?
YES. However, if it is a type of show other than walk-around magic, then I strongly recommend that magic show should be indoors even if there are outdoor activities. Heat, bright sun, cold, rain, wind, noise, insects, and other distractions all can conspire to detract from the impact and value of the magic show. Even the slightest breeze can make magic props and tables tip over. Also audiences tend to sit better and are more attentive when they are not being distracted by insects. If your situation requires an outdoor performance, I still may be able to perform but sometimes need to leave certain routines out of the show and replace them with more suitable routines for outdoor performances. Please note that dry and level ground is required for the show and will also be appreciated by your guests. I also need to be against a wall or positioned somewhere where people will not be behind me during the performance. An electrical outlet is still needed for the amplifier.

If you are planning an outdoor party, be sure to have an indoor backup performance location in case of inclement weather. There may be an additional charge for shows held outdoors.

How much space do you need?
The magic show needs an area about 6’ deep x 8’ wide for the ideal execution of the performance, although the “stage” area can adjust somewhat to the space available. It is also best if the stage area is set up away from the door into the room. That will minimize distractions from people coming in and out of the room during the show. Lastly, Please have a nearby electrical outlet available for my microphone and music.
Questions about Michael
Have you been performing magic very long and how busy are you?
YES! I was paid to perform my first birthday show when I was 14 years old. My love and passion for Magic grew over the years and now I am often booked for several shows every week. That means book your show early to make sure no one else gets the time slot that you want.
Are you a member of any nationally recognized magic organizations?
YES! I am a member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians
Are you reliable and will you arrive on time?
YES!  Your event is very important to me and I WILL BE THERE ON-TIME (actually early to setup) and ready to entertain you and your guests.
What happens if Michael gets sick?
It is rare that I am sick to the point where I can’t entertain a crowd. Even on the rare occasions where I was not feeling 100% I still performed and the audience didn’t even know. In the extremely rare cases that I can’t make it to a performance, I have a network of associate professional magicians upon whom I can call to substitue for me.
Contact us for a quote!
Still need help? Send us a note!

For any other questions, please write us at   michael [@] michaeldouglasmagic.com   or call us at 804-852-6691

Or go old school and drop us a line at:

Michael Douglas Magic
1030 N Rogers Lane
P.O. Box 121-1034
Raleigh, NC 27610

022032051 041