White Rabbit Experience
Charity Gala Magic
Raises the room before the auction — and gets remembered long after the last bid.
Trusted by World-Class Brands
White Rabbit performs close-up magic and mentalism at charity galas and nonprofit fundraisers across Los Angeles, Hollywood, Napa Valley, and 80+ cities nationwide. The performance is engineered to elevate the room during cocktail hour, then step aside completely so the program, speakers, and live auction land at full force.
Magic That Lifts the Auction
A well-placed close-up magician at a gala increases donations because the entertainment is delivered before and during cocktail hour, then disappears once the program begins. By the time the live auction starts, the room is loose, conversational, and emotionally elevated — the exact state that drives bidding. Past gala clients have reported that post-event donor surveys named the close-up magic as the most memorable moment of the night.
How the Magic Sits in the Run-of-Show
The standard format is 60 to 90 minutes of close-up strolling during cocktail hour and into the early dinner seating. Scott moves through the room engaging small clusters of donors for five to ten minutes each, creating shared moments and conversations between people who may not know each other. For larger galas with 300+ guests, a second magician is sometimes added to ensure full coverage. The magic is intentionally finished before the program begins so the room's full attention shifts to the speakers, honorees, and auction.
Built for High-Net-Worth Audiences
The performance is designed for adult, sophisticated, often skeptical audiences. Past clients include events with C-suite executives, Hollywood industry leaders, and major philanthropists. Scott Syme is a Magic Castle (Academy of Magical Arts) member, magic consultant to America's Got Talent champion Dustin Tavella, a Disney Channel magic consultant on Bizaardvark, and a former Compass Beverly Hills luxury real estate professional — every interaction is delivered with white-glove hospitality, not magic-show showmanship.
Custom Mission-Tied Routines
Custom routines tied to the nonprofit's mission, anniversary year, or honoree have been built for past clients. Examples include a routine where the year of the organization's founding appeared inside a sealed envelope passed through the audience, and a routine where the honoree's signature appeared on an object they had never touched. Custom mission-tied routines require a planning call four to six weeks in advance.
Available for Galas Nationwide
White Rabbit performs at galas across Hollywood, Napa Valley, Aspen, the Hamptons, Palm Beach, Greenwich, Nashville, Austin, and 80+ additional cities. Travel is billed flat-rate. For nonprofit organizations with constrained entertainment budgets, White Rabbit also runs limited pro bono and discounted programs each year for mission-aligned causes — request the pro bono inquiry form on the contact page.
Ready to Elevate Your Event?
Tell us about your event and we'll usually confirm availability within a few hours.
What's Included
- Pre-event consultation aligned with your gala run-of-show
- 60 to 90 minutes of close-up strolling during cocktail hour and early dinner
- Optional custom mission- or honoree-tied routine
- $1M general liability insurance and standard nonprofit-vendor paperwork
- Coordination with auctioneer and program team to ensure clean handoff
Frequently Asked Questions
Does hiring a magician at a charity gala increase or distract from donations?
A well-placed close-up magician increases donations because the entertainment is delivered before and during cocktail hour, then steps aside completely once the program begins. By the time the live auction starts, the room is loose, conversational, and emotionally elevated — the exact state that drives bidding. The magic works during natural mingling time when guests are arriving, drinking, and small-talking. It does not compete with the program, the speakers, or the auctioneer. White Rabbit LA has performed at galas where post-event donor surveys named the close-up magic as the most memorable moment of the night.
What's the right way to use a magician at a charity gala or fundraiser?
The standard format is 60 to 90 minutes of close-up strolling during cocktail hour and into the early dinner seating. The magician moves through the room engaging small clusters of guests for five to ten minutes each, creating shared moments and conversations between donors who may not know each other. For larger galas with 300+ guests, a second magician is sometimes added to ensure full coverage. The magic is intentionally finished before the program begins so the room's full attention shifts to the speakers, honorees, and auction.
Will the magic be sophisticated enough for a high-net-worth donor audience?
Yes. The performance is designed for adult, sophisticated, often skeptical audiences. Past clients include events with C-suite executives, Hollywood industry leaders, and major philanthropists. Scott Syme is a Magic Castle (Academy of Magical Arts) member, magic consultant to America's Got Talent champion Dustin Tavella, a Disney Channel magic consultant, and a former Compass Beverly Hills luxury real estate professional — every interaction is delivered with white-glove hospitality, not magic-show showmanship. The performance reads as a private clubhouse experience that just happens to involve magic.
Can a magician perform at a charity gala outside Los Angeles?
Yes. White Rabbit LA performs at galas nationwide — Hollywood, Napa Valley, Aspen, the Hamptons, Palm Beach, Greenwich, Nashville, Austin, and 80+ additional cities. Travel is billed flat-rate. For nonprofit organizations with constrained entertainment budgets, White Rabbit also runs limited pro bono and discounted programs each year for mission-aligned causes — request the pro bono inquiry form on the contact page.
How far in advance should we book a charity gala magician?
Book four to six months in advance for spring and fall gala season (March through May, September through November). Holiday season galas (December) often book by August. White Rabbit LA accepts shorter-window bookings when calendar permits, but premiere gala dates — Saturday nights during peak season — book first and book early.
Can the magic be branded or themed to the nonprofit's mission?
Yes. Custom routines tied to the nonprofit's mission, anniversary year, or honoree have been built for past clients. Examples include a routine where the year of the organization's founding appeared inside a sealed envelope passed through the audience, and a routine where the honoree's signature appeared on an object they had never touched. Custom mission-tied routines require a planning call four to six weeks in advance.
"We had Scott perform magic for a black tie event recently. Scott absolutely did an amazing job engaging with everyone."
Andres O., Black Tie Event
"In one word: Elevated. We had an amazing experience with Scott! We hosted an event at our home and he's the absolute best. Skilled in magic, skilled with people, and creates a luxurious and magical environment that complements literally any event. Highly recommend!"
Jacob S., Private Event Host
Available Nationwide
White Rabbit performs across the country. Find charity gala magician services near you:
Make Your Next Event Unforgettable
Most clients book 2–4 weeks in advance · No obligation to inquire