Allow me to introduce Rodney Housley. He is a modern day conjurer and has been performing with his wife Kim Housely for over ten years now. They were recently nominated as Tucson’s 2009 Stage Magicians of the year. This event was hosted by the Society of American Magicians. It was a treat to watch these two in performance. With such grace and beauty, you too will be struck with awe. The Housley’s truly make an “intimate evening of award winning stage magic.”
After this show, I became much too curious. Not of how the magic was done, but of how one becomes a magician. Many more questions followed. I asked Rodney if he could answer these questions, and he agreed with great modesty. To my surprise came a very emotional, yet inspirational interview.
DJ: Hello Rodney. I appreciate your time. Magic is so intriguing and after watching your stage show, I became baffled and even more curious. How long have you been doing magic for?
Rodney: I was first introduced to magic by my grandfather. He taught me how to make a coin disappear when I was about 9 or 10 years old.
DJ: That young?
Rodney: Yes. I showed my friends and family this trick for many years. I showed it throughout High School performing the effect and creating a reputation not as a magician, but as an entertainer. Usually you could find me performing jokes and telling stories. Although, the few card tricks that I picked up over the years went a long way on the long bus rides and at family gatherings. I really didn't fall completely in love with magic until after High School. I was 19 and stumbled into Williams Magic Shop. That was the beginning of my mystery training.
DJ: Hmm. Now, what was the reason for you becoming a magician and staying with it?
Rodney: Magic gave me a great gift. It allowed me to discover who I was by giving me the comfort to enjoy isolated studies on the subject. I could be alone with my thoughts and heal. I am a magician because I have to be. I have no choice. Without the illusions, I would simply be Rodney. That has never been enough for me. I am always wondering if I could achieve more. I wondered and then I chose to share it in the form of magic.
DJ: Now, let’s just say that I want to divulge in such a skill, how would I do so? How does one become an official magician?
Rodney: I feel that becoming a magician you must take an artistic approach. Many magicians are trained by a mentor. This is a fast and direct method of obtaining knowledge that is required to succeed as a conjurer. Others study the written word. As an artist, I took the same approach. I took in drawing and painting classes in college. I get my materials and then I began to play. I mix the colors and hues to create a unique effect that satisfies my own artist needs. I try to create magic that is inspired by my intuition alone. I believe a true magician is born not created. Some sadly never discover that they have a magician capable of creating wonder hidden in their psyche.
DJ: Hmm. Interesting. Now then, what is required of a magician?
Rodney: A magician is asked to open the doors of the imagination. To give people an escape from reality for a few moments and share the joy that comes from that wonder. For wonder is a natural emotion unlike learned emotions such as jealousy or hate. Wonder is a true emotion. If we live in a state of wonder, our lives will be filled with joy. As a magician, we are challenged to perform everyday, not in the sense of tricks, but in a deeper sense of mystery. We must look for the wonderful and then share it. Whether it be art, music, poetry, nature, or something magical, that is the real challenge.
DJ: Rodney, I do not mean for any redundancy, but why are you a magician?
Rodney: I had a tragedy strike my life at an early age. It changed my path and the journey I would take. My little sister died and it left my family emotionally torn. I took it upon myself to keep them laughing and guessing what I was going to do next. I used to believe that, but in all actuality, I was keeping myself busy and happy. Thus, the entertainer was born and after memorizing hundreds of jokes and acting out every funny movie I could watch, I realized that I was going to entertain people for the rest of my life in whichever method that I could master. I am just glad that I found magic and not country music (Laughs). My dad once told me the greatest compliment that anyone has ever given to me. "It's hard for tears to fall when Rodney is around." I remember my mother crying everyday and I would be doing everything that I could think of to make her smile. I just hope that each time I am on stage, I can help someone escape reality for a few moments.
DJ: I am so sorry Rodney. I would have never imagined this. You look like a very strong person.
Rodney: (Smiles).
DJ: Rodney, I have always wondered weather or not magic is real. Is it?
Rodney: Magic is real and imagined secret powers. One who does not believe magic to be real is lost to the concept of wonder and has lost some of the very spirit that makes us human. I do believe that magic is real. I also find it very sad to see a child told by parents that magic is not real. I believe that without knowing it, the parents are stripping wonder away from the child. The very wonder which is the beginning of human knowledge.
DJ: Rodney, I have noticed that when magicians perform, they tend to use a certain set of words on stage. What is the difference between tricks, effects, and illusions? Are they all one in the same?
Rodney: Tricks are the crude leftover parts of magic once it is stripped of its wonder. The Effects in magic are appearances, vanishes, levitations, transformations, transpositions, penetrations, and mind manipulations. Illusions are deceptive devices used to create an effect.
DJ: Hmm?? What is the purpose of magic?
Rodney: The purpose of magic is to provide an escape into the divine. To give a gift of wonder to the masses. Like an artist would with paint, and a poet with words. Effects creating magical moments that stay in the minds of our audience, but are remembered only for the emotion that it leaves. WONDER.
DJ: My last question for you Rodney. Do you consider magic an art?
Rodney: Magic as an art is a true challenge. Fine Art can be taken apart and looked at in every level. You will find meaning behind it. Emotions within it. Tears behind it. And a soul breathing out of it even long after it has been created.
DJ: Wow. This was a very interesting conversation. I never imagined magic to be this complicated.
Rodney: Oh yes.
DJ: Well, thank you so much Rodney. You have surely left me with a sense of wonder.
Rodney: (Smiles).
