For some people, a few difficult years in high school are left in the dust
by many magical years in adulthood. For magician Maritess (who only goes by
one name), that is exactly what happened.
"The worst time in my life was high school. I was a total dork and very
shy. A real loner. After high school, the real fun in life begins. I've found
that at a high school reunion, the popular kids, if they're not careful, become
dull and the nerdy kids become extraordinary."
Maritess is now a full-time magician. She keeps herself in perfect magician's
shape by attending as many shows as she can, and by visiting her magic mentor.
"He is the one that introduced me to all the legends in magic," says Maritess.
"If you can find a mentor or even a supportive friend to be with you as you
discover and find your true career calling, then you really are living an
enchanted life."
To become a magician, says Maritess, you have to be willing to learn from
your own mistakes. "You have to be willing to be a bad magician for a long
time in order to be one of the best in the world. My 77-year-old illusion
maker said to me once, 'You don't learn anything by doing things perfectly,'"
says Maritess.
The more new things you try, the more mistakes you'll make. But Maritess
says you need to try everything and anything to be a good magician because
you'll use everything you know on the stage. "[Do] everything that can possibly
fit in your brain...and that truly interests you," she says.
Maritess has a background in marketing, art, web design, newspaper design,
journalism, chess, photography, sewing, woodworking and psychology. "I use
a lot of eclectic skills for my job," she says.
Even though it has been a struggle, Maritess has certainly found her place
in the world of magic. She is recognized by legendary magicians and she can
dazzle an audience with her most popular trick: turning a $1 bill into a $100
bill.
"I believe and know that there are more than enough opportunities for success
for everyone. There is no ceiling on wealth or success," says Maritess.
Aaron Jones has been performing magic since he was 10 years old. He uses
theater, comedy and dance to create an unforgettable show. For Jones, nothing
could be more fulfilling than making a living out of something he truly loves.
Jones's biggest complaint is that his income is inconsistent and the work
is seasonal. Otherwise, he says, it is simply a dream job. "The biggest perks
of the job are all the cool people I meet and making people laugh and enjoy
themselves," says Jones. "Entertaining is a joy."
Many people don't think of magicians as working professionals, says Jones.
"I still have people ask me, 'So, what are you going to do for a living?'
These are people who know I do magic but don't think it is a 'real job,'"
says Jones. For a hardworking magician who loves his job, this attitude is
frustrating.
It is possible that many people have never actually seen an authentic magician.
According to Jones, there is a difference between acting out a trick and being
truly magical.
"I have seen too many amateurs selling themselves as pros....That
makes me embarrassed to be a magician," says Jones. "So, if you want to be
one, make sure you learn the real secrets of magic, not just the secrets of
the tricks."