The Curious Performer Keith Tusing

Darren Casteel is the CEO of DoDad's Lab in Clermont Florida. Darren is a professional entertainer using science, story-telling, puppets, music, and much more. Doing over 200+ shows a year in libraries, schools, museums, and churches world wide. His passion for children and families makes his shows enjoyable for all ages. Darren also runs a printing business called DRC Print. Printing banners, backdrops, table covers, and more. ​​

In this Episode:
Origin StoryTransition to ScienceMeeting Stan Lee while being Protested againstNewbie AdviceIt's a ProcessBranding - First ImpressionsLibrariesSocial MediaPeople You Should KnowClient RetentionTop 3 Things Needed to be SuccessfulExplore these resources:
DRC PrintDodad's LabFollow Our Podcast
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Steve Petra trained at the National Theatre of Puppet Arts and at Jim Henson Productions in Manhattan. He is a full-time professional ventriloquist and puppeteer performing his own scripts, songs and music. Previously, he worked as a professional musician. He now specializes in curriculum-based assembly programs for elementary schools.
Steve also performs for family audiences at libraries and some other venues. These shows are like being at a Comedy Club for families. With zany illusions, props, music, audience participation and a cast of outrageous puppet characters.
When he isn't out doing live shows, Steve is working on audio and video projects, and as a video editor. His instructional series, Let's Get Visual, is selling to performers all over the world. He is now in demand as a lecturer at conferences for professional performers and has taught workshops on show building, puppet manipulation, character voices and ventriloquism.
PetraPuppets is Steve and his wife Jeanie. Steve performs the shows. Jeanie does the website, database, booking, scheduling, contracts, fliers, teacher's guides, and collaborates on the shows.
Steve has performed at The Vent Haven ConVENTion, The KIDabra Conference, KAX, Puppeteers of America festivals and at Puppet Guild events. He's a member of The International Ventriloquist Society and The Puppeteers of America.
Steve Petra was named 2019 Northeast Ventriloquist of the year by the International Ventriloquist Society

In this Episode we discuss:
Origin StoryTransition from Musician to PuppeteerJim Henson StudioSchool ShowsPricing Becoming a VentLibrariesAudience Control & Pre-showEarly StrugglesNikon SchoolNewbie AdviceInterest vs ObsessionBrandingWorld of PuppetrySocial MediaContinuing EducationTop 3 Things to be SuccessfulExplore these Resources:
"Making Puppets Come Alive"The Jim Henson CompanyCarol FijanBarry MitchellLee AndrewsKAXKen ScottMark WadeDavid GinnTim SonefeltSammy SmithFollow our Podcast


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Louie Foxx is the consummate kid that never grew up and it’s evident as you watch him interact with audiences of all age. He is living his childhood dream of being a magician.
As a kid he realized that he excelled at all of the things that adults told him were a waste of time. Instead of playing baseball in high school, Louie built himself a rickety table and rode the bus into downtown to perform magic tricks on the street corner and got paid by “passing the hat”. He’s come a long way since then.
The Society of American Magicians voted Louie The Best Stage Magician and Best Close-Up Magician in Minnesota in 1996. He has also been featured four times in the prestigious Linking Ring Magazine which is a magazine for the 13,000 members of the International Brotherhood of Magicians! Louie has also written several books about magic tricks for professional magicians, one of which has sold over 2,300 copies!
Louie is also a Two Time Guinness World Record Holder and has been on NBC’s America’s Got Talent, the nationally syndicated television show How ‘Bout That, Evening Magazine, New Day Northwest, Otra Movida TV in Spain, and in London’s Guardian Newspaper!

Louie is enjoying life as the rockstar dad. He now has a valid excuse to go to the zoo once a week and build forts out of the sofa cushions.

Doug Scheer is a Michigan magician who has been performing since he was only 9 years old. During the second 10 years, he actually started to get good.

He then spent 15 years performing as the lead magician for Chevrolet on their national auto show tours.

Between show, he now travels all over the world lecturing to his peers at some of the most respected magic conventions on the planet: Magic Live, The society of Magician's Convention, KGB (not that KGB, a different one) and to some  of the most respected children's entertainers at their annual Kidabra Conference.

He is the owner of Assemblyshows.com  Michigan's premier school show company, He has created12 educational and highly entertaining shows that are seen in elementary schools throughout the Midwest.

In the episode we discuss:
Origin Story1970's Magic ShowsBehavior in Schools TodayEarly Struggles???Today's Issues Getting into the School MarketJust say "Yes"School Show BusinessAntagonist in Your ShowCustomize Your ShowBrandingSocial MediaPeople You Should KnowClient RetentionContinuing EducationTop 3 Things to be SuccessfulExplore these Resources:
Jeff McBride"Don't Touch Me" by Howie Mandel""Leading with my Chin" by Jay Leno"I Killed: True Stories of the Road from America's Top Comics"When I Stop Talking" by Jerry WeintraubAtlanta Harvest of Magic - Ken ScottKidabra - Mark DanielsKarrell Fox"Tribe of Mentors" by Timothy FerrissDoug Scheer.comFollow our Podcast
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Colin Dymond is both a Magician and a Ventriloquist. Colin has lectured and performed at The Magic Circle, The International Ventriloquist Convention in Cincinnati and The Children’s Entertainer Convention in L.A.
He was the 2018 Cotswold Stage Magician of the year and the UK Children’s entertainer of the year 2014. He is also a four time winner of the Cotswold Close Up Magician of The Year.
Colin is proud to be a part of the POD Children’s Charity team bringing smiles to poorly children into hospital in the UK. Colin works in Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bath, Newport, Gloucester Royal and Hereford hospitals. He is also the entertainer for the Cotswold Downs Group.

In this Episode:
Origin StoryMagic to PuppetsCovid LockdownShow from the ShedCustom PuppetsAdvice for NewbiesPerformers PayBrandingSocial MediaPeople You Should KnowTop 3 Things to be SuccessfulResourcesExplore these resources:
The Magic Circle - LondonKids Entertainer AcademyPractical MagicAxtell PuppetsHK AudioMax FulhamColin DymondFollow our Podcast
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Ken Scott has over 20 years of experience performing over 350 shows a year. He has entertained over a million people with his unique cutting edge programs. He is four time winner of the Greater Atlanta Magician of the year awards.

In addition, he was featured on CNN Headline News, where he headlined their segment on  A Day of Magic. He performs annually in Holy wood California at The World Famous Magic Castle. He has also performed five times at the White House and appeared on ABC's America's Funniest Home Videos.

Along with performing he travel around the world teaching other entertainers his original ideas and routines that he has invented and developed.

In this Episode we discuss:
Origin StoryEarly StrugglesMentorsNewbie AdviceVirtual StudioSocial MediaBrandingPeople You Should KnowSchools & LibrariesClient RetentionContinuing EducationThe Future of ConventionsDiscover MagicTop 3 Things to be SuccessfulExplore these Resources
Mario the MakerJustin WillmanInternational Brotherhood of MagiciansAtlanta Harvest of MagicDiscover MagicKen Scott ProductsFollow our Podcast
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