FOR CHILDREN, PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS
Family Magician
Premier family magician
Matt Wilson
I'm Matt Wilson, a family magician in Birmingham, Alabama, and I've been performing for 34 years. Most of the time, I perform a stand-up show for a seated audience, so everyone is watching and enjoying the same show together.
The kids get plenty of chances to join in, but the show isn’t only for them. Parents and grandparents are part of the fun too, and they’re often laughing at something the kids haven’t caught yet.
The show runs about an hour and is designed for ages 6 and up. I perform at schools, libraries, churches, camps, family gatherings, community events and similar occasions. Travel within about 60 miles of Birmingham is included, and bookings start at $300.
You don't need a stage or a huge room. If you have a living room, I can usually make it work. I also perform in school gyms, banquet halls and much larger spaces. I bring my own tables and, when needed, my own sound system, so there's usually very little for you to set up.
One show for everyone in the room
The booking
What you get
- Format
- A stand-up show for a seated audience, with kids, parents and grandparents all enjoying the same show together.
- Runs
- About one hour.
- Ages
- Designed for ages 6 and up. If the audience is mostly children, ages 7 to 12 tend to be the sweet spot.
- Room
- Anything from a living room to a school gym or banquet hall works. As long as the audience can sit together and see the show, I can usually make the space work.
- Setup
- I bring my own tables and, when needed, my own sound system, so you normally won’t need to provide any equipment.
- Travel
- Travel within about 60 miles of Birmingham is included. For locations farther away, I’ll quote the additional travel when we talk.
Photographs from recent shows
Where I perform
Different occasions. One great show.
Every event has its own feel, but wherever I perform, the goal is the same: keep everyone in the room involved and enjoying the show together. Here are the events I’m booked for most often.
School assemblies
Best forKindergarten to fourth grade · Magic meets science · Insurance arranged for the district
I perform for groups of thirty to two hundred, from kindergarten through fourth grade, in gyms, cafeterias, libraries and classrooms. Teachers and students share the same running question: was what they just watched magic or science? It gives teachers an idea they can return to after the show. If your district requires proof of liability insurance, I arrange it and work with the school directly.
Libraries
Best forSummer reading and school breaks · Hands-on participation · Sound included
A library program fills the room with children of every age at once, which is exactly what this show is written for. Nearly every routine includes participation, so the children are part of what is happening while the adults at the back have plenty to enjoy for themselves. I bring my own sound system when the room is large enough to need it.
Churches
Best forFall festivals and family nights · Gospel message on request · Clean throughout
I perform at fall festivals, family nights, VBS and Christmas events, including my own church's fall festival each year. As a Christian, I am glad to build routines around a Gospel message when that is what you want. If it is not, I perform the same clean family show without one. Either way, the material is suitable for the whole room, with nothing parents will need to explain afterward.
Camps
Best forWide age range · Indoor option · High participation
The show gives camps an indoor hour that works across a wide age range, especially when the weather has disrupted the schedule. Participation runs throughout the show, so a seven-year-old and a twelve-year-old can be on their feet for the same routine while the counselors enjoy the show and get an hour back.
Family gatherings
Best forReunions and anniversaries · Four generations · A living room is enough
Reunions, anniversaries and holidays often put four generations in one room without any one person being the center of attention. These are some of my favorite events because the adults soon stop feeling like spectators and become part of what is happening. A living room gives me enough space, and I bring everything else I need.
Community events
Best forParks and neighborhoods · Company family days · Sound for the open air
I perform at neighborhood parties, park gatherings, tree lightings and company family days, where guests may arrive a few at a time and the ages can range from toddlers to grandparents. I bring sound for outdoor events, although indoors is usually easier for everyone. I have also performed at the summer barbecue at Oak Mountain State Park more than once.
Birthday parties
For birthdays at any age
Whether it’s a child’s party, a milestone birthday, or a surprise for an adult, I adapt the show to fit the occasion and the people in the room. The guest of honor gets to take part, and everyone enjoys the show together. Visit the birthday party page for more details.
See the birthday showFamily bookings
What people say
Here is what six hosts said about the show. Two of them had booked me before.
Before you book
Questions
These are the questions I hear most often before a booking, including what the show costs and what I need from your venue. If your question is not answered here, just ask.
What age is the show right for?
The show is designed for ages 6 and up, with a sweet spot of 7 to 12 for kids’ parties. Mixed ages are completely normal, and I perform for the cousins, parents, and grandparents too. Younger children can sit with a parent and watch, but if most of the guests are three or four, the show probably isn’t the right fit. I’ll tell you that up front.
Do you perform for adults?
Yes. I’ve performed at adult birthday parties, engagement parties, dinner parties, wedding receptions, and corporate events. For an adult birthday, I can perform close-up magic as guests arrive, present a stand-up show after dinner, or combine the two.
Are your shows family-friendly?
Yes. The material is clean and suitable for families. There’s nothing for a parent to explain later or a host to apologize for, which is why the show also works well for churches, schools, and libraries.
How much does a magician cost?
Bookings start at $300, including travel within about 60 miles of Birmingham. I also travel beyond that area, with the additional travel included in your quote. The final price depends on the type of event, the length of the performance, and the size of the audience. I’ll work with your budget, so tell me about your event and I’ll send you a quote.
How long is a performance?
A stand-up show lasts an hour. If a shorter show fits your party better, that’s no problem. Close-up or strolling magic runs from one to three hours, depending on the event.
Do you carry liability insurance?
I don’t keep a standing policy, but I arrange event liability coverage whenever a venue requires it. Schools, libraries, churches, and city venues often need proof of coverage before confirming a booking. Mention the requirement when you contact me, and I’ll arrange the policy and coordinate directly with the venue.
Do you bring your own sound system?
Yes, when the room requires it. I bring sound for larger rooms and outdoor events, while a typical living room usually doesn’t need amplification. Tell me about the space and I’ll bring the right equipment.
Do you use live animals in your shows?
No. I don’t use rabbits, doves, or any other live animals. That avoids allergy concerns and means your home or venue won’t be left with an animal-related mess.
Beyond the stage
Children's of Alabama
From 2010 to 2020, I visited Children's of Alabama throughout the year to perform for patients, almost always free of charge. Some were going through extraordinarily difficult circumstances, and some were too tired even to sit up. COVID restrictions brought the visits to an end, and they have not resumed.
Much of the time, it was less of a show and more of a visit. I would sit with one child and teach them a trick they could perform themselves. When a doctor or nurse returned, the child was the one who knew the secret. When I put a smile on their face, it's priceless, and is the reason I love magic. Of everything I have done in 34 years, that is what I am proudest of.
“Oliver was recovering from a surgery at the hospital and Matt was kind enough to go see him and have a private show… just for Oliver. He LOVED it! It raised his spirits immediately.”
Three steps
Book a family show
You deal directly with me from your first email through the day of the show. The person answering your questions is also the person who arrives to perform.
Tell me about the event
Send me the date, location and a general idea of who will be there. It might be a school assembly, library program, church family night or reunion at home. The expected age range matters most because that is what I use to shape the hour.
I'll send you the details
I answer my own messages, normally on the same day. I will explain what I would perform, what I need from the room, whether I should bring sound and what the booking will cost. If your venue requires proof of insurance, I arrange it and work with them directly.
Reserve the date
Once you are ready, I reserve the date for you. The agreement and deposit are handled by email, and then we'll choose the showtime that fits the rest of your event.