Once upon a time...
Across a decaying factory town on the other side of the tracks …
A curious seven-year old named David discovered a secret magic set in an aged wooden jewelry box, high atop a dusty old piano. Inside were small wooden magical wonders. Joy filled him immediately, and he has been studying the art of theatrical magic ever since.
You see, many decades before, The Chicago magician, Dr. Jacks, admired the story-telling charisma of David’s grandfather and took him under his wing – encouraging him to build a magic set. In time, he passed the set on to David’s father and brother who performed shows for company. But now – wooden wonders in hand – David dove much farther down the wonder-filled rabbit hole of magic.
Growing up, he read every magic book he could find, practiced often and performed shows for family, friends and community. After reaching a personal goal when he was 11, his parents bought him The Mark Wilson Complete Course in Magic. It was a dream come true and helped him develop intermediate-level skills in magic. In high school and college, he studied vocal music and theater. As an adult, in 1997 the magic bug bit hard once again, and David began living his dream as a part-time professional magician.
Today, his specialty is sharing meaningful messages through classic stage and close-up shows, speaking engagements and strolling magic for all audiences. In 1999 he felt a curious joy leading him to study at McBride’s Magic & Mystery School in Las Vegas – the most prestigious and influential magic school in the world. Then, at long last and just a few years ago… an amazing thing finally happened: the Faculty made that little boy from across the tracks an Instructor! It is one of the greatest honors of his life.
David’s latest talk, “Living A Magical Life” is designed for youth, and his interactive virtual Zoom show, “The Joy Factory”, delights audiences of all ages, near or far. His solo full-evening show, “The Meaningful Magic of David Reed-Brown”, joyfully weaves participants into working wonders themselves! He has performed from the Indian Himalaya for 900 school children to communities in the rainforests of Costa Rica; from elegant parties for city mayor’s to soup kitchens, locked psychiatric wards, and disaster recovery in Biloxi, MS and 9/11’s Ground Zero.
When you plan a show with David, he listens very carefully to create a unique presentation according to your needs. In all his work, respecting and caring for people of different cultures, nations, physicality, spirituality, ability and identity is very important to him.
He performs for corporations, non-profits, fundraising galas, community, schools, houses of worship, and private and family functions throughout the United States and beyond.
Mentors
David has studied at McBride’s Magic & Mystery School in Las Vegas with his close mentors Jeff McBride and Eugene Burger since 1999. One of the greatest honors of his life was being named an Instructor at the school a few years ago.
There, David became one of the last students of the soulful and wise Master Magician, Channing Pollock, who said, “You’re very likable. You look good. And, you’ve got skill. What more could you want?” He also studied The Egg Bag with Johnny Thompson, with whom he shared a special bond. Penn & Teller and even David Copperfield called Johnny “the best magician in the world.”
David studied theatrical technique for magicians with Broadway star Robert Fitch (who danced with Liza Minelli), complimenting David on his vocal technique. He met with Cesareo Palez of Le Grand Davide, who began life as a Psychologist and escaped the Cuban Revolution to begin his life again as a magician in the US. He said, “Every Sunday at 3 o’clock, I have an appointment with my SOUL!” He strongly encouraged trusting and forging your own path vs. relying on mentors saying, “Do it YOURSELF.”
Finally, David is deeply grateful to David Copperfield1 for his kindness and support; encouraging the practice of “Passion, Preparation and Persistence.” Coaching, “It looks like you achieved your current goals. Now, transcribe every word of your show. Then rewrite like Steven Sondheim who would agonize for weeks over a single phrase… Keep the stage clean. Remove anything that doesn’t support the story you’re trying to tell… Nothing dreary. Light the stage beautifully… Cover the speaker stands with cloth decorated to support your theme.” And finally, “Go beyond the classics of magic… Create, bring something new to the art… Then take the audience to another place.”
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1 Copperfield, David; Permission granted to quote here for this purpose only; By Email, 1-21-2023.
Achievements
Achievements
David was recently named an Instructor at McBride’s Magic & Mystery School in Las Vegas where he has studied with master magicians Jeff McBride and Eugene Burger (RIP) for more than twenty years. It is one of the greatest honors of his life. David speaks at the the school’s annual Magic & Meaning Conference, which is like the TED Talks of Magic. His writing is referenced in McBride’s book, The Show Doctor. David wrote an extensive article for Genii Magazine about the school’s Legend’s of Magic conference. He also writes for the school’s Secret Art Journal, leads virtual classes and discussion, hosts and produces video segments for Mystery School Monday online classes, teaches students and emcees as needed.
In Las Vegas, David has performed at McBride’s world famous Wonderground, at the Magic & Meaning Conference and at the beautiful Mount Charleston Hotel. Moving beyond his work as a sought-after speaker, writer and performer, David teaches award-winning magic students, like Athulya Narayanan. He serves as magic consultant for Denny Moon’s musical “Abracadabra,” where he coached the amazing Broadway singer, actor, dancer Michael Spaziani. He has worked closely with director Nikki Currie-Huggard to incorporate magic effects into live theater.
David assisted Jeff McBride in directing the magic for Lawrence and Priscilla Khong’s massive illusion musical “The Magic of Love” in its USA debut. He is proud to have taught with and raised funds for people in need with Grammy Award winning songwriter Bill Pere, a disciple of Harry Chapin.
In Connecticut you can find David performing close-up magic on Friday nights at Antonios Restaurant in Simsbury where he has delighted the community for nearly 10 years; quarterly performing his new show “Fine Parlor Magic” – an immersive theatrical experience – at StoryTellers Cottage in Simsbury. He has performed multiple times at First Night Hartford and in the famous Tap Room of the historic Griswold Inn in Essex, CT, where Billy Joel and Eric Clapton are known to play. And, at The Big E, in the Connecticut Building of New England’s massive states fair and expo, David has performed more than fifty shows.
