Creating Material and Making Your Magic (Kenton Knepper & Allen Zingg) – Performance Theory & Presentation Development

Creating Material and Making Your Magic by Kenton Knepper and Allen Zingg is a 121-page comb-bound workbook originally developed from lecture notes for professional workshops. Due to strong demand and depth of content, the material was expanded into a structured publication focused on performance theory, presentation development, and the creative process behind strong magic and mentalism.

Rather than focusing on individual tricks, this book emphasizes how to create meaningful, engaging, and believable performance material. It is designed for performers who want to improve the impact of their magic by strengthening presentation, character, and audience connection.

The authors describe the work as an exploration of areas rarely addressed in traditional magic literature, focusing on the deeper psychological and theatrical aspects of performance.

Key Topics Covered:

• The Authentic Self in performance
• Presentational concept development
• Storytelling techniques for magic
• Eye contact and “eyes as the window” theory
• Instant grace and performance flow
• Context and framing of effects
• Physical actions and body language in performance
• Additional concepts in performance psychology and structure

The book includes 68 illustrations, supporting the conceptual material and helping clarify performance ideas and staging principles.

A central theme throughout the work is the importance of authenticity and meaning in performance, encouraging magicians to move beyond mechanics and focus on creating emotionally engaging experiences for audiences.

Highlights:

• 121-page comb-bound workshop-style book
• Written by Kenton Knepper and Allen Zingg
• Focus on performance theory and presentation development
• Includes 68 instructional illustrations
• Covers storytelling, psychology, and audience connection
• Emphasis on authenticity and character in magic
• Suitable for magicians and mentalists of all levels
• Designed to improve existing material rather than teach tricks

Develop stronger, more meaningful performances—add Creating Material and Making Your Magic to your library and explore the deeper structure behind effective magic presentation.