Back in October of 2014, the University of Baltimore announced they would be offering a course that would explore the Marvel Cinematic Universe, much to the excitement of Marvel fans. The University of Richmond wants to do something very similar except they are aiming at something more along the lines of the Harry Potter-verse. Specifically, Hogwarts a College of Wizardry is coming to the United States.
The College of Wizardry currently exists in Czocha Castle, Poland where fans can live-action-role-play (or LARP) through four days of Wizard School. Not only do fans get to spend four days and three nights in a huge castle in Poland with 140 other witches and wizards, they get to attend classes to learn the magical arts, explore the grounds and discover all the magical creatures that roam the grounds, and be selected to represent one of five Houses of Czocha Castle.
The College of Wizardry in Poland was so popular tickets sold out within 90 seconds and prompted New World Magischola lead organizers Benjamin A. Morrow and Maury Brown to bring College of Wizardry to the United States. Teaming up with Learn Larp, LLC, a Kickstarter campaign was launched on November 23rd 2015 for the New World Magischola: A College of Wizardry Larp and, as of this writing, has already garnered $279,824 of its $35,000 goal. There are still 36 days to go on the campaign.
The US location will be similar in style to its forebearer with students getting sorted into one of the five houses of New World Magischola, attend four to five classes and learn about magic and magical things each day, and otherwise be fully immersed in a whole world designed with a history, economy, characters, plots, costumes, magical creatures, and of course other witches and wizards to befriend or become enemies with. Attendees might have to defend themselves and the school against evil magic and other evil enemies. Typical school behavior like concocting pranks, causing trouble, solving problems, and other wise being a typical student at a wizardry school is encouraged.
The campaign was initially only going to allow the New World Magischola to run from June 16-June 19, 2016 for a minimum of 80 players and maximum of 160. However, since the initial goal has been met and all of the current stretch goals have been met, several extra things are now on the table:
- a second event will be run on the following weekend, exactly like the first, for 80-160 players
- a 30 minute documentary will be made about the event
- a professional musician will compose and record songs for the school and each house
- additional events in 2016 are HIGHLY probable
- the event will turn into a summer camp for youths, ages 11-17, and possibly families that would open in the summer of 2017.
An update on November 25th details that three events will definitely be held with fourth and final one being planned on July 28-31. Other surprises are promised as well but you can check out all of the details (and pledge!) at New World Magischola: A College of Wizardry Larp’s Kickstater page.
Last Updated on November 27, 2018.
