Becoming a Magician

Well, here we go.  This is my first posting on my new blog.  My name is Anthony White and I am a full time magician, balloon twister and Santa Claus.  Well, actually "full time" is a misnomer.  I should put I am a professional magician and entertainer.  I work whenever I get a gig - a birthday party, show for a daycare or library or school, etc.  It's never full time.

I have always been fascinated with magic.  I started studying magic seriously about 20 years ago, the year I saw Topaz (a German magician) on tv's "World's Greatest Magic" as he made sunglasses appear and disappear off his face, made multiplying bells and finally made an electric guitar appear.  I was hooked and decided that I wanted become part of the world of magic.

I started off with simple magic shop tricks and card tricks, and would perform for family and friends whether they liked it or not.  :)  Over time, I collected tricks and props.  I studied from books and videos and started practicing and putting together a small show.

While shopping at the magic shop, I found out about the International Brotherhood of Magicians (IBM) and started attending meetings.  After about 10 years of being a magic hobbyist, I performed my first birthday magic show for my neice Ashton's birthday party.  I remember how nervous I was, but the responses of laughter, surprise and awe were magically addictive!

The economic downturn started for me about 5 years ago.  Before that I had been a salesman for many different places and I had lost another job due to the company folding.  I couldn't stand the thought of looking for yet another dead end sales job.  So instead I chose to take that opportunity to try my hand at self employment - I would become a professional magician.

Being a magician in Utah is not really profitable enough to support a family.  My wife went to work and I found that I had become "Mr. Mom".  Not quite what I had anticipated life as a magician would be.  But one of the things I love about being a magician is that my kids can go to work with me.

Trying to increase my marketability, I learned how to twist balloons.  My son learned along with me and quickly surpassed me in skill.  He found he had quite a knack for it and soon was doing events with me.

I also found that my I could be Santa Claus in December which has become my most profitable month of the year.  I love playing Santa and seeing the sparkle in little children's eyes as they tell me what they want for Christmas.

I love performing, whether it's magic, balloons or Santa.  I may not become wealthy, but at least I love what I am doing!