Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Michael Aslan. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Michael thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I saw my first magician in a school assembly. Fell in love with magic but had no way of finding out more. Only one book in the school library, ” The Amateur Magicians Handbook “. When I joined the Navy I met 2 magicians while I was stationed in Guam. Lord Jim and Al Lampkin. These 2 gentlemen got my juices flowing again for magic. Learn a lot from Lord Jim and even did a short television spot. I started getting more magic and when I was in California I did some part time things for Teen Challenge. Also some small things for a coffee house that was in Ventura. It wasn’t until I got married in 1976 that I did my first real show for a toy store in Pleasanton California. My wife kind of pushed me into professional magic because in the small 10 by 60 foot trailer we lived in, she would open up a cabinet and a sponge ball or something would fall out. She basically said use it or lose it.

Michael, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I do themed magic shows. “Zoot Suit Magic ” and ” Dr. A’s Magic Medicine Show ‘ are my main ones. If my client has a specific need or desire I try to accommodate their needs. For example I was asked to do a wizard for a halloween close-up show. I had renaissance costume pieces from different fairs and just needed a really good wizard costume that I found. I strive to be different from every other magician around. I script my shows and tricks to be different from every other show in town which makes me unique. All my shows are completely scripted and different from each other. My motto has been ” Not Just a Show for your clients but an Experience for everyone involved. I’ve never missed a show and have actually been called on the same day another performer did not show to fill in for them. I deliver what I say I am going to.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

To see the smiles and hear the laughter of the people I’m doing a show for. Whether it is a small intimate setting or a larger venue, To know you have brought a little relief and joy to their lives . People go to shows to escape the humdrum of dailey life. If what I do can take them out of that part of their lives for just a little while, that makes my day.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

When we moved to Colorado I started doing more shows. Having no mentors I had to learn on my own. I did join a S.A.M. ( Society of American magicians ) club in Colorado Springs but the magicians there were very tight lipped. I had to learn costuming, make-up, sound and stage presence on my own. I took a theater course that gave me the basics. Over a 15 year trial and error stage I learned my craft. That included close-up, parlor, and stage magic. I learned lessons like never accept at face value what a client tells you they have as far as equipment. One of my first shows in Colo. Sprgs was for an American Legion Post. They told me they had a stage, lights over the stage, and a sound system. When I got there the stage was a 6 by 6 2 inch high platform, the lights ended up being a single light bulb over the platform, and the sound system was an 8 track player with a cassette adapter they couldn’t find. Fortunately I was about 10 minutes from home and ran to get my home stereo equipment I was using for my show at the time. The lesson I leaned was if possible check out the venue and carry your own equipment. Now I carry my backdrops, sound, and everything I need to ensure a great show for my clients.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.aslanmagic.com
• Instagram: MICHAEL ASLAN @aslanmagic
• Facebook: The Magic of MICHAEL ASLAN
• Linkedin: Michael Aslan
• Twitter: N/A
• Youtube: MichaelAslan@aslanmagic
• Yelp: N/A

Image Credits
Beckett Studio, Las Vegas Nevada