BY ANDREW MACKIE
RECORD STAFF WRITER
Monday, March 12, 2007
 |
HICKORY
Sammy Cortino has performed magic tricks in San Diego and Kansas City and studied his craft in Las Vegas.
Last month, the 18-year-old made what’s likely to be many international magazine covers.
The Caldwell County resident was featured in the February issue of Secrets magazine, the official publication of The Young Magicians Club. He’ll perform in Hickory at Atlanta Bread Co. from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 19.
What was your reaction to being on the magazine cover?
“I’m really thrilled. It’s an honor to be featured on the cover and share my input on magic with people internationally. It’s really thrilling.”
When did you begin doing magic?
“I performed my first magic trick when I was 2 years old. I made a coin disappear. I really began to practice it at 6 years old.
I’ve been performing professionally since I was 11. My first show was at Barnes and Noble.”
What is your favorite trick?
“Asking a magician what their favorite trick is would be like asking a parent to chose between their children. I love all the magic I’m doing.
What I love the best is the large-scale shows, like in a theater.
It’s very theatrical and involves many elements.
I’m trying to focus more in the future on large-scale illusion shows.
It’s great to see an audience’s reaction. To look in the audience and see people amazed is a great part of magic.”
What has been your career highlight up to this point?
“The Broyhill Civic Center show (in September 2006). It was like I’ve turned onto a new road. It’s like a whole new chapter in my career in magic. It’s very exciting.”
Who is the greatest magician?
“I would pick a couple. Houdini and Siegfried and Roy.
Those were the guys who took (magic to) an art form … and they added their own original touches to it. What they did was so unique.
They presented what they did in ways that had never been done before. You have to look up to the innovators. They took magic and took it in a different direction.”
Who are your idols?
“Siegfried and Roy. Lance Burton. Terry Evanswood.
Those are the guys I watch and I learn from. They’re the ones I learn from the most.”
How does one get started in magic?
“Start out small. Go to the library. They have whole shelves of tricks you can do at home.
Learn the techniques. You can also learn by surfing the Internet or conversing with other magicians.
Most importantly, use your imagination. Always practice, because you can always get better.”
Any other advice for would-be magicians?
“I would encourage anyone to follow their dreams. Work on that dream or that aspiration that they have.
Dare to dream and live to dream. I am.
I wanted to do the Las Vegas thing, but later on I said whatever happens is fine. But I definitely wanted recognition. I didn’t think about how this would turn out. I’m really thrilled and blessed.”
Do you know other magicians in the area?
“There are a handful of professional illusionists and some practitioners.
I do have a mentor in the area. We trade secrets and I buy some of their products.
There are several that I know in the area and that I hang out with.”
How many shows do you do in a typical month?
Usually, two or three shows in a month. I’m booked for summer reading shows around the state. My busiest month was last summer when I did 20 shows. I think I did 12 or 13 shows in one week.”
How long do you plan to perform magic?
“As long as I can. If I’m 85 years old and still doing magic, that’s great. I want to do shows as long as possible.
I’m starting early now to keep in shape so I can do shows later in life. I want to do magic as long as I can.”
How much do you borrow from other magicians?
“Whenever I present something, it’s always my presentation. I’ll try to distance myself from what other magicians do.
Everything I do, I try to make it as original as possible.”
What do you think makes magic so special?
“I encourage anyone to go to a magic show. When you watch magic, it brings out your inner child. It’s good to get away from it all. Sometimes you just need to escape and be entertained and think about the finer things in life.”
On the Net:
www.sammycortino.com
amackie@hickoryrecord.com | 322-4510 x5407 or 304-6914
