When Tom Interval’s parents gave him a magic kit at the age of six, they had no idea what they were in for.
The young, eager magician bombarded his folks with an endless variety of tricks with cards, coins, handkerchiefs, ropes, rubber bands and other household props.
“Can I show you just one more trick?” he would ask his mother or father after learning the latest trick. Being supportive parents, they would kindly oblige.
And so Tom’s obsession with magic began.
After reading countless books and articles on the subject, watching famous magicians on TV, attending as many live magic shows as possible and practicing sleight of hand for up to eight hours a day, Tom gave his first paid magic show when he was 12 years old.
During this time, he presented his brand of magic at school and community talent shows, performing a variety of delightful deceptions, from simple card tricks to the stage illusion of cutting a woman in fourths.
While developing his technique and performing style, Tom gleaned inspiration from many famous magicians, including David Copperfield, Doug Henning, Harry Blackstone, Jr., and Mark Wilson. His childhood idol, and perhaps his most important influence, was Harry Houdini.
“Houdini was much more than a magician and an escape artist,” said Tom. “He was a metaphor for overcoming impossible odds. Reading about his life made me believe that I, too, could accomplish anything.”
At 18, two years after attending Louis Tannen’s Magic Camp in New York, Tom earned the title of Pittsburgh Magician of the Year, a contest sponsored by the local “Ring” of the International Brotherhood of Magicians (IBM). Three years later, he auditioned for Busch Gardens theme park in Williamsburg, Virginia, and became a resident magician, actor, magic coach and spokesperson, performing in the park and appearing on local TV talk shows along the East Coast. He also was in a nationally broadcast TV commercial for the park.
Since then, Tom has performed at numerous private and public events, including trade shows, corporate parties, school assemblies, community fairs, weddings and birthday parties.
In addition to performing magic for more than 24 years, he has taught magic lessons for more than 18 years, has published several original tricks in MUM magazine, the national publication of the Society of American Magicians (SAM) and writes an online magic column.
To learn more, contact Tom now.
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