The Real Magic of Illusion

Here is a little bit about who I am:


The first magician I ever set eyes upon was the editor of our small-town newspaper, Keith Barnett. Though he never had the opportunity to perform outside our little desert community, and though he would never be recognized as a great magician, the first 30 minutes I spent with him when I was only five years old set the direction for my entire life.

That is just how powerful a few simple tricks can become.

Water poured again and again from an inexhaustible bottle, steel rings from ancient China linked and unlinked at will, bright-colored silk scarves appeared and vanished and melted together into a rainbow of colors. And, through it all, my eyes, my mind and my heart were convinced of a world outside the dust, sand and heat of my ordinary experience. At that moment I found my home - magic was the world where I wanted to live and it is the world, to this day, that I want to share with everyone I meet.

Like most young conjurors, I started with simple tricks, but soon I discovered the great magicians of the golden age of magic. People like Harry Houdini, Karl Germain, Servias LeRoy, Harry Keller, Charles Carter and Howard Thurston became more than heroes to me - they became my mentors and examples of what is possible. Magic of the golden age was more than just tricks. These masters understood the importance of presentation and relationship with their audiences. Magic was theater and if it was to be effective, it had to be more than just something the audience watched - it had to be an event in which the audience was totally involved.

This is the experience I have spent my life exploring and pursuing. I searched out every form of art that caused in me an experience of wonder and awe of possibilities. I have pursued the art of music, receiving a degree in musical composition and operatic performance. I've performed with the National Symphony Orchestra, the National Cathedral, The American Baroque Orchestra and more. I have pursued the art of theater by acting, writing, directing and producing theatrical projects seen by thousands of people at theaters from Portland, Oregon to Washington D.C. I have pursued the art of laughter by studying and performing improvisational comedy in California, Oregon and Washington. And, through it all, I pursued the art of illusion and the psychology of wonder.

My magical studies have included one-on-one work with some of the great magicians of the 20th century. I have been fortunate enough to have worked on magic with people like card and gambling expert, Martin Nash; magician and philosopher, Eugene Burger; sleight of hand and presentation expert, Juan Tamariz; illusionist, Mark Wilson; and master showman, Stan Kramien. In addition I have collected and studied the writings of magicians throughout history. My library contains works from the 16th century with works like the Discoverie of Witchcraft by Reginald Scott and the first magic book ever published, Hocus Pocus Jr. to cutting edge modern writings by theatrical special effects designer, Jim Steinmeyer.

I have also researched, produced and republished books by P.T. Barnum and the father of modern magic, Jean Eugene Robert-Houdin. Currently, I am finishing work on the most comprehensive work on Theatrical special effect and Illusion Patents ever published.

Thanks,
Richard
www.smallmiraclesentertainment.com