Please note: Classes that are required are listed with a red title and asterisk.
Bardic Magick 101 Credits: 2 Level: 1 Instructor: "Dean Lafountain" Class Description:
Have you heard of sacred words? Bardcraft is word magick and Bards are the Guardians of the Sacredness of the Word. You will be taught about Awen -- the source of all Bardic magick – which will be the basis of the course. Through Bardic Magick 101, you will meander down the melodious path of inspiration, path work, perspective, Spirits, and Otherworlds.
Contemporary Magical Lyrics - This class is not accepting students at this time. Credits: 2 Level: 1 Instructor: "Dean Meighen" Class Description:
Description: This class is a quick look at a small number of contemporary songs and the artists who wrote and/or performed them. Without these songs, and others like them, many of our world's modern mechanistic thinkers would never stop to reflect on the possibility of magical forces in their lives. These lyrical "intrusions" have played an important part in raising the magical awareness of large groups of music lovers around the world. Today's magical thinking Bards would do well to construct and memorize a few similar type lyrics for sharing during storytelling circles.
Required Materials:
This class requires that each student have a computer Internet connection fast enough to easily play YouTube videos.
Ethical Secrecy in the Performing Arts Credits: 1 Level: 1 Instructor: "Instructor Barry" Class Description:This class is a recommended lead-in for all following Performance Magic classes. It considers the ethical questions attached to what has come to be known as the "Magical Oath." While working as a practicing Stage Illusionist or Street Magician the idea of trade secrecy is imperative in the teachings of some magical communities of old. Do these same ancient standards still hold today? Should you be held to them? Let's find out. Oh, and you should know that this class will be required as a pre-requisite, but only for those classes that directly share "trade secrets," as estimated by each instructor. Required Materials:
The Grimoire for the Apprentice Wizard. Oberon Zell Ravenheart. 2004. Estimated Completion Time: 2 Weeks Prerequisites:
None
Safety Precautions:
None
Included Lessons:
Illusions 101 Credits: 1 Level: 1 Instructor: "Instructor Barry" Class Description:This
first of a series of classes will quickly get you started with
stage performance. It's about you and the joy of making others happy. Would you
like to learn a fun levitation trick? Great! Let's go! Required Materials:
None.
Estimated Completion Time: 1 Week or Less Prerequisites:
None.
Safety Precautions:
Be careful while preparing your magical object.
Included Lessons:
So You Want to be an Orange Wizard? Credits: 3 Level: 1 Instructor: "Dean Meighen" Class Description:
An introduction to the core concepts of the Orange Wizard. This class explores the role the Orange Wizard has within the magickal community and the mundane community and how he/she affects both societies. This class will also look at the reason why Orange Wizards do what they do.
The Wizard's Voice Credits: 2 Level: 1 Instructor: "Headmaster Kingsley" Class Description:
Welcome! Don't just stand there in the door like that! Come on in and take off your cloak, Stay awhile! You are just in time to learn one of the greatest powers a Wizard can have! It's the power of VOICE!
Required Materials:
A voice
Estimated Completion Time: 1-2 Weeks Prerequisites:
None
Safety Precautions:
There is not an ounce of danger to be found in this class!
Included Lessons:
This is currently a required Performance Magicks Department Class. Unlike most Year 1 classes, it has more assignments than usual. This is because of the consideration for student safety and training exercises. Please take your time with this class. Other Level 1 classes are far less demanding when it comes to record keeping.
The class will introduce students
to the basics of a "stage presence" and will provide students with
simple exercises to improve their own stage presence. Performance Magic is all
about control of the audience, but without self-control, the magician cannot
have control over the audience. Exercises include practices of posture,
composure, language, speech projection, balance, stamina, and provides tips on
dealing with stage fright. Some of the exercises may require several weeks of
practice before students can expect to be good at them.
Required Materials:
A way to record your own voice repeatedly, such as a
hand-held dictation device or a microphone for your computer along with a
playback program.
Estimated Completion Time: 8 weeks Prerequisites:
None.
Safety Precautions:In order to avoid injury, always warm up and stretch
before exercising. Included Lessons:
Conjury 201: Magic Without the K Credits: 3 Level: 2 Instructor: "Instructor Barry" Class Description:
(See Grimoire for the Apprentice Wizard, pp. 237-243)
Here you will be invited to embrace the secret arts of Performance Magic (Parlor Magic, Stage Magic, Conjuring or Illusion Magic, “miraculous” illusions or special effects). Magic is one of the oldest Arts in the world, and is practiced in every culture known. It weaves its threads through Arcane Magick, Alchemy and Ceremonial Magick, Shamanism, storytelling and just pure fun. In this Class you will be welcomed into an ancient and vast secret society of wonder workers that lives in all cultures and has had its own special impact for as long as humankind itself has existed.
Required Materials:
Owning a copy of Grimoire For The Apprentice Wizard.
Estimated Completion Time: 1 month Prerequisites:
Successful completion of the Ethics of Magick class.
Safety Precautions:
None
Included Lessons:
Exploring Vocal Performance Credits: 2 Level: 2 Instructor: "Headmaster Kingsley" Class Description:
The class provides an overview over the various vocal performance arts, including theater, drama, singing, chanting, narration, debate, oratory, and general public speaking. It is designed to let the student research and observe the various offerings of this performance art within their community, and then to participate in one of the arts to the level where they can participate in a public performance.
Illusions 201 Credits: 1 Level: 2 Instructor: "Instructor Barry" Class Description:
This second class in a series of classes entitled, Illusions, has but one stage "trick" to learn. It's about having fun.
Required Materials:
A resealable plastic bag and a pair of scissors.
Estimated Completion Time: 1 day or so Prerequisites:
None
Safety Precautions:
None . . . just be careful with the scissors.
Included Lessons:
Introduction to Masks Credits: 2 Level: 2 Instructor: "Headmaster Kingsley" Class Description:This class is an introductory explanation as to how masks were typically used within the Ancient Greek Ritual Theater, the Medieval Mystery Plays, and, the Italian Renaissance Commedia dell' Arte. Likewise it touches on mask traditions used in Eastern Theater; expounding in all cases on the possible relationship between theatrical mask usage, and the mysterious concept of magickal shape-shifting. This leaves you, the student, to explore each of these ideas as you make and use your very own masks! Required Materials:
Grimoire for the Apprentice Wizard, Materials for making masks:
Scissors,
Glue,
Flexible poster/card paper,
Elastic band
optional: construction paper, glitter, feathers, or anything you wish to decorate the mask with Blank plastic mask for the Green Man (Flora for girls/women) mask
Plastic of fabric green leaves plus flowers for Flora mask
Magickal
Memory Skills will help the Wizard develop ways to increase their memory
recall that they may then apply to many aspects of their life, not just their
magickal world.We will look at the
types of memory and investigate ways to help unlock the recall process.
Required Materials:
None
Estimated Completion Time: 1-2 weeks Prerequisites:
None
Safety Precautions:
None--well, watch out for earworms... Included Lessons:
Scribbulus 201: Introduction to Fiction Writing Credits: 3 Level: 2 Instructor: "Dean Meighen" Class Description:
Use your imagination to create magickal fiction! You will learn the ins-and-outs of writing fantasy stories including creating characters, building magickal worlds, developing rules for magic, structuring your story, and hooking the reader. At the end of the class, you will pen a wizardly tale of fantastical creatures, sages, and magickal ages.
Required Materials:
Grimoire for the Apprentice Wizard
Estimated Completion Time: 6-8 weeks Prerequisites:
None
Safety Precautions:
None
Included Lessons:
Performance Magic Perfection: The Life and Times of Jeff McBride Credits: 2 Level: 3 Instructor: "Instructor Barry" Class Description:This class is an exposé on the magical thinking, adventurous explorations, and performance expertise of one of our world's greatest modern day Magicians, Mr. Jeff McBride! A magical illusionist extraordinaire, he has exploded on to the world stage, bringing his message to the hearts and minds of countless people that magic, in all its forms, is alive and well, and available to everyone, if only for the mystical price of one's total commitment! Required Materials:
1. You'll need to have access to a computer that's fast enough to play videos found on both YouTube and Jeff McBride's Official Site.
2. Grimoire of the Apprentice Wizard. Oberon Zell Ravenheart. 2004
Storytelling 401: Tales of the Fabulists Credits: 2 Level: 4 Instructor: "Dean Stefanowicz" Class Description:
Storytelling is one of the oldest—if not the oldest
of the wizardly Bardic arts. Whether stories are told for entertainment,
educational, or magickal value, there’s nothing that beats listening to a good
storyteller. Join this class and begin learning the history and how-to of
storytelling. Continue the process in "Storytelling 501:
Talecrafting."
Course Objectives
At completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1)Create and use a storyteller’s
journal.
2)Name and describe at least five
story types that are of interest.
3)Name and
describe at least one classical story or storyteller of importance.
4)Describe the
desired impact of a well told stories on the listener.
5)Identify and
summarize at least ten stories of interest.
6)List at
least ten story resources.
7)Tell at
least one story from memory.
8)Describe the
experience of being a storyteller.
Required Materials:
You will need a system for collecting stories: a folder, binder,
etc.
A good dictionary.
Zell-Ravenheart, Oberon. Companion for
the Apprentice Wizard. Franklin Lakes, NJ: New Page Books, 2006.
Print.
Zell-Ravenheart,
Oberon. Grimoire for the Apprentice Wizard. Franklin Lakes, NJ: New Page
Books, 2004. Print.
Estimated Completion Time: This class can be completed in 4-6 weeks Prerequisites:
None
Safety Precautions:
None
Included Lessons:
Storytelling 501: Talecrafting Credits: 3 Level: 5 Instructor: "Dean Lafountain" Class Description:
Together, Storytelling 401 and 501 make up one large “mega class.” In this class, you’ll take your Storytelling 401 skills and put them to use. You’ll learn how to supplement your stories with special effects. You’ll consider the ethics of storytelling, explore the greater world of the storyteller, and consider how to plan and host a storytelling event.
Required Materials:
Completing this class requires planning and hosting some type of
storytelling event. You’ll need the folder or binder that you started
in Storytelling 401. Also, you’ll need to send copies of some of the
stories entered into your binder; you can either do this electronically
or via classic mail. Scanning or photocopying may be required. The use
of CD, DVD, and/or podcasting is an option in this class, but is not
required.
Estimated Completion Time: This class can be completed in 4-6 weeks. Prerequisites:
Storytelling 401: Tales of the Fabulists
Safety Precautions:
None
Included Lessons:
Circus 701: Sideshows, The Human Marvels Credits: 3 Level: 7 Instructor: "Headmaster Kingsley" Class Description:
This
class examines the circus sideshow, and important part of American performing
magic that satiated the viewers’ lust for sensationalism. The institution started
to decline sharply in the 1960s with the advent of TV and later on the onset of
the internet. Society’s changing sensitivities towards people with disabilities
did the rest to put a stop to this once popular form of entertainment. In this
class you will learn how sideshows were operated, will get to know many of the
many attractions, and meet several of the performers. You will also evaluate
the impact that this institution had on its performers.
You have nearly completed your Major in Performance Magick. This Practicum culminates that course of
study, giving you close one-on-one interaction with your Professor. Here you will explore how to move from
classroom study to real-life applications of your chosen field. You will plan and produce a significant work
of Performance Magick, your Final Project.
Note: The Practicum is a paired Class.
You must enroll and work in both
sections, Performance Magick 799a and Performance Magick 799b, simultaneously.
This class does not accept magister students, as it is the
culmination of the course of studies of the Apprentice Program.
Required Materials:
Grimoire
for the Apprentice Wizard, pp. 240 - 243, Companion for the Apprentice Wizard, pp.122 – 135.
Materials for your final project, depending on your choice of project.
Estimated Completion Time: 3 months or more Prerequisites:
Students must
be L7, majoring in Performance Magick, and have completed all other Performance
Magick Major requisites already. Magister students will not be admitted to this class.
Safety Precautions:Depending on the final
project chosen, Youth students should get adult permission and adults
should take care while undergoing physical exercise. Included Lessons:
You
have nearly completed your Major in Performance Magick. This Practicum
culminates that course of study, giving you close one-on-one interaction with
your Professor. Here you will explore how to move from classroom study to
real-life applications of your chosen field. You will plan and produce a
significant work of Performance Magick, your Final Project. Note: The Practicum
is a paired Class. You must enroll and work in both sections, Performance Magick 799a and
Performance Magick 799b, simultaneously.
This class does not accept magister students, as it is the
culmination of the course of studies of the Apprentice Program.
Required Materials:
Grimoire
for the Apprentice Wizard, pp. 240 - 243,
Companion for the Apprentice Wizard, pp.122 –
135.
Materials for your final project, depending on your choice of project.
Estimated Completion Time: 3 months or more Prerequisites:
Students
must be L7, majoring in Performance Magick, and have completed all other
Performance Magick Major requisites already. Magister students will not be admitted to this class.
Safety Precautions:
Depending on the final
project chosen, Youth students should get adult permission and adults
should take care while undergoing physical exercise.