Youngsters learn the secrets of confidence from magician
The campers found out about card tricks, entertaining and all that. But there was more.

By Joyce Vottima Hellberg
INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT

HAVERFORD — The black boxes were filled with cards, rope, balls and a finger — everything needed to make a little magic.

"The magician's oath says you never tell secrets," said professional magician John Cassidy of Devon. "But that's exactly what I'm doing, telling secrets."

For two weeks, Cassidy shared his secrets and techniques with about 90 youngsters ages 9 to 15 who attend the ESF (Education Sports and Fun) summer camps at the Haverford School.

Michael Rouse, president of the camp, said the programs help develop social skills and foster new friendships. "There was a waiting list of 150 kids," Rouse said.

The True Life Adventures program also includes two weeks on the fundamentals of movie-making and exploring the world of theater, and how to start, organize and manage a business.

Rouse said programs such as the world of magic, called Abracadabra, offer the ultimate true-life adventures. "This is for 9- to 15-year-olds who really want to experience things they dream about," Rouse said. "Here they can create their own magic tricks."

Cassidy, 32, said he enjoyed teaching the campers tricks and added that magic was a way of interacting with others. "I want them to be more comfortable being a kid," he said. "And it can be tough being a kid. "They are at an age now where they are still trying to determine who they are, and it can be difficult," he said. "Magic is something that can be fun, help with self-esteem and, maybe, give them the courage to try something they haven't done before."

Shuffling a deck of cards, Cassidy demonstrated a bit of "magic." "Pick a card, any card," he said to a bystander. The card was chosen, and after reshuffling the deck, Cassidy produced the exact card. He carefully explained how to set the deck to make the trick successful.

"Anyone can do a trick," Cassidy said. "But not everyone can make it entertaining. You can take certain things to any level and make it your own. It's important to give emotional meaning." For example, Cassidy told the campers that, while working with a deck of cards or preparing a trick, they should tell stories.

"During my magic, I used to rip up a newspaper and put it back together," Cassidy said. "But not anymore. Now I use a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I take it apart and, while I'm doing it, I talk about what it was like for me when I was in school," he said. "People can relate more to the peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and they smile."

David Beckman, 12, said he loves magic and wanted to attend the camp to learn more tricks. As he demonstrated how to "reduce" an ordinary penny to three miniature coins, he embellished his "magic" by talking more personally to the audience.

Using a slip of the finger, 11-year-old Sarah Simon managed to separate entwined rubber bands. "You just have to keep talking while you're doing the trick," Sarah said. "Magic is fun to do and fun to have people watching you."
Cassidy encouraged the campers as they practiced their "magic," making suggestions on how to tell stories and how to move their hands or fingers while working. "And you never, never repeat a trick ," Cassidy said. "Unless you do it a different way."

Cassidy said he has been performing magic tricks for more that 25 years. "At age 6, you sometimes get beat up a lot as a kid," he said. "But you didn't get beat up as much if you could do magic, and it was a good way to meet girls," he added smiling.