Today we’d like to introduce you to Dylan Bryson.
Hi Dylan, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Around 8 years old, I got a magic set for Christmas. The tricks were simple, inexpensive, and toy-like, but they were somewhat fooling. I dabbled with others for a few years but only every once in a while. At 13, I saw a “Masked Magician” tv special focusing on street magic. I fell in love with the mechanics of how the tricks worked and noted how much they fooled the pants off of adults. So, I bought some books and videos and got to work. You could say I was hooked the first time I really freaked out one of my teachers. I did my first paid shows in my late teens but still never really considered pursuing it as a career. Honestly, at that time, I was really more infatuated with playing music, so it was a bit of a back-and-forth. Around 7 or 8 years ago I was in the service industry, and one of my regulars asked me what I liked to do outside of work. The topic of magic came up, and he asked if he could hire me. I said sure! It ended up going great, and I made the decision to pivot and really give it a go. It’s been fantastic. I credit that regular for helping me find my way back into it and more so than I ever had.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
When I started really putting myself out there, my nerves were something I had to work on. Also trusting myself. There’s a routine I perform with a spectator’s borrowed ring, and in the end, I pull it out of a sealed envelope. It’s one of my favorites. When I was still learning it, I tried it out with some friends at a house party. It did not go as planned. When I pulled out the envelope, it wasn’t there! We all looked for the ring for an hour. I felt terrible and thought I had somehow lost it right there in the house. As it turns out, it was in the envelope the whole time! Up until that point, I had only practiced with my own ring, which was on the heavier side. The one I borrowed was quite light so when I pulled out the envelope, I thought it was empty. It was a learning experience for sure. Trusting that I performed it properly would have saved all of us from the one uncomfortable hour it took to find it. Always open the envelope!
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I generally perform close-up and parlor (small stage) magic at private parties. Public events are great too. When I first started, I was heavier into card magic. Now I’ve integrated a bit more mentalism, objects to impossible locations, and more audience participation. I’m proud of taking a weakness and making it a strength. In my earlier performances, I would perform with a rather nervous energy. Perhaps from not being as confident as I would have liked. Now I use it and lean into it so it’s more deliberate. I find it creates a little more confusion in best way. It catches the audience completely off guard when you blow their minds! It also allows me to have more flexibility with my act. I don’t like a robotic approach.
Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I think taking risks is essential for growth and gaining a better understanding of how you operate in various scenarios. Whether it’s high stakes or not there’s always something to be gained in my view. For what I do I find presenting new material to any given audience is always a risk in that it may not play out the way you planned it. Sometimes that can be great though! If it doesn’t work that’s fine. I just workshop until it gets to where I feel it needs to be. Since the audience doesn’t know where you’re going it’s fun to improvise in the moment as well. The process of crafting the journey is where it’s at!
Contact Info:
- Website: dylanbryson.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/dylanbryson
- Facebook: facebook.com/iamdylanbryson
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@magiciandylanbryson
Image Credits
Reggie Mathalone
Danielle Leigh
Jamie Salinas
