“That was the only experience that I’ve had with magic [back then],” Tyler said. “That was it. There was nothing else. I had never gone to a magic show or even a magic shop at that point.”
It was a revelation that set Tyler, originally from Los Angeles, on his career path to eventually move his retail shop, The Magic Box, to the Fort Worth Design District in 2018.
Tyler said he opened his store to help novices and advanced performers find the right supplies for performing.
The Magic Box offers tools of the trade, such as instructional materials, card decks, kits, linking rings, books by famous magicians, videos of performances, sponge balls, coins and more—products that enthusiasts collect or would need for a show.
Tyler said these are things he had to find on his own when he first started.
“This is pre-internet,” he said. “I didn’t even know where to start, to be honest. ... I didn’t really pick it up until I was an adult and could figure it out and navigate it by myself.”
Tyler started with card tricks. He practiced again and again before performing for the first time in front of his family. Tyler said he does not remember the exact trick, but his family was impressed. He graduated to other acts, such as making small balls disappear and reappear.
Years later, Tyler said, he does not perform as much anymore, but the thrill of a good illusion has never faded. As a professional, he said he looks at things from a different perspective now, assessing how another magician pulled off a trick or how a sleight of hand worked.
“I still like it just as much,” he said. “But when you’re a magician, you’re not easily impressed.”
The community of hobbyists and career magicians is quite large, and conventions are widely attended by people from all over the world. Magic has the power to transcend language, Tyler said. One of the best things about performing is the spectator’s response, he said.
“We’re entertainers at heart,” Tyler said. “We want to wow the audience. The more audience participation we can get, [the better]. We’re looking for the wildest reaction.”
Works like magic
Here are a few classic tricks that are widely seen. These can be performed with multiple variations in technique and style.
•The invisible deck
This trick involves one-on-one audience participation. The performer will ask the spectator to think of a card from a deck. When he or she is ready, the spectator will name the card out loud. The magician will accurately hold up the named card.
•Disappearing sponge balls
The performer will hold a sponge ball in hand or place it under a cup. A flick of his or her wrist...And the ball disappears and reappears somewhere else.
•Pen through anything
The magician will hold a pen and a folded dollar bill. They will pierce the dollar bill with the pen, and a ripping sound will be audible. He or she will rub their fingers over the torn parts, and when it is unfolded, the bill will be restored!
The Magic Box
1953 Golden Heights Road, Ste. 1205, Fort Worth
682-710-1020
www.stmagicbox.com
Hours: Wed.-Fri. 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Mon. 11 a.m.-6 p.m., closed Tue.
