While our Clairbourn School alums end up in a multitude of industries, there is a common thread that runs through their stories. They are hardworking, dedicated to making a difference in people’s lives, and they are impressively accomplished. They also understand the importance of giving back, which this featured alum, Rmax Goodwin, demonstrates so well.
Rmax (pronounced Ar-Max) Goodwin became interested in magic when he was six years old, and at Clairbourn School, he was encouraged by his teacher, Mrs. Wreede, to audition at the Magic Castle. His life changed at this point when the Magic Castle became a resource for him to network and learn from some of the modern-day masters. His pursuit of excellence in his craft also made him keenly aware of the intellectual and academic parts of performing. He recognized that the audience-performer relationship is quite complex and that his mentalism, which is punctuated by unique presentations, had to be well-researched and practiced over and over again. This was where he put his bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from Pitzer College to use, as he applies his ability to think persuasively and logically to his unique and sophisticated form of entertainment.
Currently, Rmax is a Los Angeles magician who performs nationwide at upscale corporate and private events. Rmax has been the feature entertainer for clientele including Google, Charles Schwab, Hulu, and Sony, along with celebrities like Dolly Parton, Lionel Richie, and LeBron James. His award-winning magic is distinguished by expert sleight-of-hand, witty banter, and an approachable style. To add to his growing list of accolades, he has appeared multiple times on the television program Masters of Illusion and he has become the go-to consultant for America’s Got Talent: The Champions.
Having reached a high level of success, Rmax recognizes the importance of mentorship and networking. He says he improved dramatically as a performer, thanks to the magicians he was around, and he also benefited in his career from that same network. His sage observation for our alums and students is that “your network of support will most likely impact your success, but only as long as you know that, put it into practice, and lean on them for guidance.” As a grateful beneficiary of mentoring, Rmax is always happy to give back by mentoring budding magicians.
He lectures for the Magic Castle Junior Program and gives advice to the next generation on how to make it in the industry. This dedication to service is something that was instilled in him and cultivated during his years at Clairbourn School. Read his interview and check out his website for more information.
When did you come to Clairbourn? What year did you graduate from Clairbourn? Where did you go after that? Where did you attend university?
I started Clairbourn in the 5th grade, in 2000, and graduated in 2008. I then went to Flintridge Prep before attending Pitzer College in Claremont.
What do you remember most about your time at Clairbourn? Has Clairbourn stayed within your memory? Why or why not?
I remember having lasting relationships with my teachers, even after moving up through the grades. In 6th or 7th grade, we’d still go to the classroom of our previous teachers, or even teachers who I may not have had, but my friends had (such as a 2nd grade teacher), and we stayed close to them and they stayed close to us. I don’t think students and teachers at other schools maintain that kind of cohesion through the grades like we had at Clairbourn. I remember the intimacy of the middle school and the perfect, perhaps too perfect, lawn.
Tell us about your current projects. We know that you perform at the Magic Castle. Tell us more about that and any other projects you’re working on. Also, what is a mentalist?
Yes, I started performing at the Magic Castle in Hollywood the year after graduating Clairbourn and have performed there consistently ever since. About five years ago, I decided to pursue magic full time and now perform nationwide at corporate and private events. I also consult on TV shows or appearances, such as America’s Got Talent, and advise others on their shows.
What inspires you to perform magic? What led you to pursue this path?
I started magic when I was six or seven years old, and enjoyed the solitude of practice at a young age. It was my second grade teacher Mrs. Wreede, an amateur magician herself, who first told me about the Magic Castle and encouraged me to audition. When I first started performing for larger audiences, I began to recognize the complexity of audience-performer relationships and started to appreciate the performance side of the craft. The Magic Castle was certainly a valuable resource for a young performer and I had the opportunity to both work with and learn from some of the modern-day masters. Given that the show truly changes every time, there’s a thrill in not knowing, but trying to anticipate, the unexpected dynamics of each performance. I love that as I work on a routine, the entire focus is on the audience and their understanding of the effect and how to keep one step ahead the whole time.
Did your time at Clairbourn inspire you to become a magician and mentalist?
I can’t say Clairbourn inspired me to become a magician and mentalist, although Mrs. Wreede’s encouragement certainly helped. I do remember performing for students here and there and the teachers were always very receptive.
Do you still keep in touch with your classmates from Clairbourn?
Unfortunately, no, although I did go to high school with Melody Chu, Jordan Randall, and Scott Studenmund—all Clairbourn classmates.
What are some of the most fulfilling experiences you’ve had in your line of work? What about challenging experiences?
Performing at the Magic Castle was a thrill. It’s the Mecca of magic and to think about all the masters who’ve performed there prior, it’s quite humbling. Now my pride comes from seeing other top performers take my advice and incorporate my thinking into their shows. Having someone you look up to ask you for advice on a performance is pretty cool. And as for my own performances, you do have to pinch yourself every now and then when you walk into an A-list celebrity’s house to perform for a 4-person dinner and realize that they could have had anyone perform for them and they chose you.
What advice do you have for our Clairbourn students who want to pursue a similar type of path?
Being good at your craft is important, and it’s hard to get good on your own. If you’re pursuing something, be it writing, science, music, or magic, it takes work on your own but also guidance from mentors in your field. This part most of us intuitively get. The other part though is the network that those mentors can provide. I improved dramatically as a performer thanks to the magicians I was around, but I was also able to turn my passion into a career thanks to that same network. It’s an unfortunate reality that your network of support will most likely impact your success, but only as long as you know that, put it into practice, and lean on them for guidance.
Also, I think it’s important to help others out, of course. Anyone who’s introspective for a moment understands that if they’ve gotten somewhere, it’s in part due to someone helping them. And in the process of helping others, it clarifies what helped you, who helped you, and what steps you took. That reflection is humbling, healthy, and valuable to both mentor and mentee. I help other magicians and mentalists when they reach out. I’ve lectured for the Magic Castle Junior Program, giving advice to the next generation on how to make it in the industry, and I’m happy to pick up the phone whenever magicians, younger or older, seek advice on running their business, developing their show, etc. And it’s a point of pride to see people I’ve helped grow in the industry. So my advice is network and rely on your mentors, and always give back.
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