Page 26 - SPIRE Digital Version JAN-APR 2024 8th Issue

engineer the method and all of the witnessed. The best part was that paint whatever you’d like! The
logistics involved. It took months to my parents were there to share in possibilities are endless. Of
pull this together. I had a prototype such a special highlight of my course the goal is to have it make
of the illusion constructed in her career. I still visit Emily and Ruth a a big impact on the audience.
barn. It was on a motorized hoist so few times a year and they Music is the backbone of the
every day she could slowly get used remember me! show. I’ve had quite a few
to her boundaries. The goal was to original tracks composed for the
desensitize her so she wouldn’t get Lyn, your stage is filled with a illusions. The music selection
spooked by any aspect of the stunning multitude of mind- process or composition can take
illusion and cause any harm to boggling illusions. After seeing weeks. Once we have the music,
herself, the audience or my team. I two of your powerful shows, I can then we work on the
also made a cd of different noises attest that the performances are choreography for the bigger
that was played every day for flawless! Illusion after illusion illusions. Lighting plays an
Emily. It included applause, your audience is treated to world important part as well. My
thunderclaps, fireworks, etc. to class Las Vegas level lighting designer Marc Leblanc
help with the desensitization. She entertainment. Please share with comes up with a customized look
loved rehearsing and looked so our readers what goes into to light the illusion. When
forward to it. Half way through the designing and performing a stage constructing an illusion show, it’s
process, I had a major epiphany of show of this magnitude. important to start off with a
how I could make her roommate As my show developed, I always powerful piece of magic to get
Ruth appear in succession. I didn’t gave careful thought as to what the the audience in the palm of your
think it had ever been attempted next illusion would be. I took a hand and then end the show with
and after checking with magic fairly practical approach. The something dazzling that will
historians, it was true. The illusion illusions are extremely expensive leave them wanting more. All of
would make magic history. So Ruth and I wanted to make sure they the other elements are like
got to join in the fun and she had a could be performed in a multitude putting a puzzle together and
blast. The illusion required 300 of venues ranging from a large work logistically as well because
feet of metal truss and over 5,000 theater to a hotel ballroom or in of the flow of the show. If a
square feet of fabric to pull it off, front of a symphony orchestra. complex illusion takes 5 minutes What was your magical impetus? Did you happen
plus a lot of red seedless grapes… Some of the illusions in my show to prep, you have to factor in upon a joke/magic shop? Was it someone that you
Emily and Ruth’s favorite treats. On are original concepts. I collaborate what will proceed it and follow it. saw on TV? A live magic performance? Or all of the
the night of the big grand opening, with my illusion builder and we I also never want to duplicate above! Let us in on the beginnings of your
we had hundreds of people perfect the method and then come effects as in too many fantastical career.
escorted to the open pasture where up with a design. Meanwhile, I am appearances, vanishes, I was extremely shy as a young girl. When I was 8
the illusion was going to take place. working on the presentation. This is levitations, etc., so each illusion years old, a magician performed at my elementary
The crowd had no idea what they where the creative juices start should stand on its own. Each school. I was such a nervous wreck that he was
were in for. When I went to pet flowing! It’s basically like having a piece is a big investment so it has going to call me to go onstage. I sunk way down in
Emily and Ruth before we got blank canvas and not only can you to be well thought out in my seat for the entire show and didn’t see any of it!
started, they were rumbling with use any kind of paint, but you can advance. I had no interest in magic at all at that time. Then
excitement! There was such use any color combination and fast forward to 4 years later, “The Magician”
electricity in the air. Magic history television series featured a magician played by the
was about to be made. I was late Bill Bixby, and used magic to fight crime. I was
introduced and the music started. entranced and my dad took me to a local magic shop
A metal framework 16’ x 12’ was and bought me a few beginner’s tricks. I practiced
suspended within the truss. I and practiced until they were perfect and brought
released a canvas panel on each them to school.
side of it that unrolled to the
ground created an enclosed In middle school I was bullied and only had a few
rectangular box. Upon my friends. I started doing the tricks in the classroom,
command, the canvas box lowered lunchroom and on the school bus. My classmates
to the ground revealing Emily. The were so amazed and it was extremely empowering
crowd went absolutely wild. What for me. The magic transformed me and I was hooked
a surreal moment it was…major on it. I knew at 13 years old what I would do for the
goosebumps. Emily walked over to rest of my life. When I was starting out, I made a lot
the side. I had my team raise up the of my own tricks. I put them on cardboard and
box again and on my command, it would walk around my neighborhood, ring my
lowered once again revealing Ruth! neighbor’s doorbell and ask if they wanted me to do
The crowd lost it. Some people a show for them. I would perform on a card table, do
screamed, some cried because it my act, pack up and move onto the next neighbor’s
was so beautiful. Even today, house. Then I graduated to birthday parties and
twenty three years later, people scout troops and the rest is history!
still talk about what they
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