I just want to do the best work possible, no matter what venue I am working in. The last show I did pre-pandemic was on Broadway with a group called The Illusionists. I am a founding member and we are the number one touring magic show in the world. I will continue to tour with them whenever possible, once live entertainment returns. I am almost finished creating a crazy zoom magic and comedy show.
1. Tell us about your background and journey.
I grew up in a small village called Jonesville Michigan, population 2,000. There were no magicians to talk to or learn from. Finally I discovered Abbott’s Magic in Colon Michigan and there I could find books and effects. This was before the internet. Abbotts had a big convention every August and that is where I began my magic education. I made life long friends there.
I began do shows for anybody that would watch or hire me. In high school I started performing strolling magic at local restaurant. I then studied theatre and technical theatre in university.
2. What inspired you to become a magician?
I saw a magician perform in my elementary school. Then Doug Henning burst on to the national scene and that sealed the deal. I knew that is what I would do for the rest of my life. I feel blessed that I had a solid direction and passion for this artform so early in life. I can remember a friend and even after college, they had no real idea about what they wanted to do with their life.
3. Did you train yourself or is it self taught?
In the beginning it was me and 6 books in the library. Once I discovered Abbott’s Magic, that then became my resource for information. I memorize their big phat catalog and tried with all of my imagination to back engineer all of the described effects in that catalog. It forced me to be creative.
After university I moved to Los Angeles to study with the Long Beach Mystics. They were very instrumental in creating a perfect space for me to be bad. They took the desire to create a great act very seriously. Many top professionals came from that group. They were my real university.
4. How do you manage yourself performing in various restaurants and private parties?
I don’t perform in restaurants or do private parties much these days. The last private party I did was for the head of Universal Studios, 3 years ago. I do still love to perform and create new close up magic but mostly for TV or to be shot with a hand held camera in a big theatre show. It is absolutely how I got my start and I talk about those roots in the big show.
5. What are your upcoming plans to make this popular?
I just want to do the best work possible, no matter what venue I am working in. I want to create magic and stories that are new and compelling. I will be creating new magic for the rest of my life. I find great joy in that process.
The last show I did pre-pandemic was on Broadway with a group called The Illusionists. I am a founding member and we are the number one touring magic show in the world. I will continue to tour with them whenever possible, once live entertainment returns. I am almost finished creating a crazy zoom magic and comedy show.
I think there will be a market for that even after live shows return. I also have plans to open my own show in Las Vegas. Just finding new creative ways to connect with the audience and invite them in to experience wonder and have fun. Look me up at kjmagic.com.
6. What are some of the challenges you face and how do you overcome it?
My biggest challenge is that there is not enough time in the day. I am trying to select what projects to work on that will be fun and soul fulfilling. Projects that will allow me to work with friends and people I love.
7. Who is your all time artist?
This is a difficult question. There are so many artists that I love and for very different reasons. I think the Belgian magician Servais LeRoy is at the top. He was the top magician, inventor, variety artist in the first part of 20th century. Magicians are still using is brilliant creations 100 years later. Even Houdini knew LeRoy had a better show.
Kevin James
Kevin James became interested in the art of magic at a very early age. He remembers seeing his first magic performance and more importantly how it made him feel. He decided early on that performing magic for the world was going to be his life's calling.
His style of performance is anything but conventional. His unique comedy and magic has gained him a reputation as a world-class visual artist. His fresh approach has allowed him to headline in some of the world's top theatres. He has performed in 110 countries to date.
Some of his past performances include Crazy Horse in Paris, Royal performances for the Prince of Monaco, Prince of Bahrain and the Sultan of Dubai. In Las Vegas he has headlined in almost every major casino. He did a Command Performance for President Obama at the White House.
He’s also one of the highest viewed magicians on YouTube with many millions of views. He is an original cast member and is currently starring in the #1 touring show magic show The Illusionists. He has also starred on the West End, the Sydney Opera House, most recently at the Neil Simon Theatre on Broadway in January of 2020.
Kevin is a very prolific magical inventor and consultant. Not only is his show original but many of his ideas has made their way into the shows of other famous magicians like Doug Henning, Penn & Teller, Mark Wilson and David Copperfield, as well as several films. He received a Creative Fellowship Award from The Academy of Magical Arts and Sciences in Hollywood in 2004 and is a multiple Stage and Parlour Magician of the Year. In 2019 he was awarded the Mandrake D’Or the top magic award in France.
Kevin is related to the legendary P.T. Barnum and in many ways, is like his famous ancestor. His art vision was to create the most unique show on the planet and make adults feel like a kid again. Best job ever!
Instagram id: @kevinjamesmagic
Interviewed by: Ananie Borgia
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