PhD thesis: What Makes 'Magic'?

A decade, a lifetime, a vocation, a mission – all these rolled into one thesis. My research asks: "What's the difference between a 'really good' performance and a 'magical' one? What ingredients are key to the process of creating 'magic'? Why do people use the word 'magic' to name it, and what other language could  best describe it?"

All the artists and academics I've showed the research proposal to have been so excited about it, and say it's a very important project. It hasn't really been attempted before. My research proposal was welcomed with enthusiasm by the professors of Performance Research at the University of Bristol, UK. 

Earning an MPhil degree takes one year; because it's a research degree I'm not required to take courses, and the start date can easily be changed. I am required to live in the UK for 12 months to satisfy visa regulations.  It’s possible the university will provide a three-year scholarship for tuition, so I could study in the PhD programme .

Your contributions are being put into a NextGen College Investing (529) Plan, which includes matching grants. 

Since 2001 I’ve worked full-time as a freelance performer, teacher, writer, choreographer and composer. Over the years I’ve taken note, both on paper and instinctively, of my mentors’ advice in combination with my everyday arts experience. This melding of being a student and being a teacher kept me inquiring about the nature of performance.

My curricula for performing arts students facilitate listening, improvisation, flow and confidence, with the aim of enabling the performers to give their most natural, adventurous and enjoyable performances possible.

Working often with young performers has been an inspirational and practical gateway to observe which techniques facilitate ‘magical’ moments – and sustain them for long periods. 

Since 2005 I've been writing drafts of this thesis, and since 2006 have been meeting with professors at Bristol to refine the research methods for this project.  

There are so many thorny issues with the research I'll be doing, my working as a team with academic supervisors will be important in order to bring appropriate and varied perspectives to the table.

Though it’s inspired by practicing and working as a performing artist, there are serious academics involved in this project. Here's some context: I earned a BA magna cum laude in 1998 from a highly selective university in the USA, which gave me a merit scholarship of $10,000 per year for 4 years. My major was in English with writing concentration, with a minor in Theater Dance, another minor in Cultural Anthropology, and honors in Anthropology.  

I'm a pioneer by nature, and doing some pioneering research in the arts is a great honor and one I'd like to share with everyone.  I'll contribute not only to the academic life of the university, but also by publishing my research in a book. Putting these experiences, discussions and wisdom "in print" for all to enjoy will propel the dialogue forward into many other genres and generations, and is my way of giving back to the rich and fruitful artistic community worldwide.

The focus of my future teaching and creating will be on eliciting ‘magic’ in folk dance music, dance/movement, and visual art; I'll design and publish music recordings, artworks and curricula as a way of broadcasting the research findings to a large audience. 

This is very similar to what I'm already doing, but after earning this degree I'll be able to do it on a larger scale, and even better.

You can view a sampling of my past art and writing projects at www.hopehoffman.org .

A formal CV of my work and education is here .

The ways in which my friends and colleagues have already contributed is deeply felt and is a sturdy, forthright structure which I inhabit every day of my artistic life – which is every day of my life.

Contributing financially will be a sort of worldly alchemy, turning years of many people's work and dreams into an exciting, groundbreaking investigation and celebration of the power of the arts.

Come on into the thicket of ideas and creativity, and join the fun!