MNfusion: Q&A With Illusionists' Anti-Conjuror Dan Sperry

Do you believe in magic?

Suspend your disbelief as seven of the world's top magicians take the stage in "The Illusionists."

The North American tour is making a stop in Minnesota this week, and among them is conjuror Dan Sperry.

The self-titled Anti-Conjuror grew up in Minnesota, living in both Litchfield and St. Cloud as a kid.

He began practicing magic at the age of 4, and at 11 had his first paid show.

Sperry went on to perform his illusions in a slew of night clubs, Hollywood venues and Las Vegas hotels. He became internationally known when he was one of the youngest illusionists to headline the Magic Castle in Hollywood.

He toured Canada, France, Greece and Italy and in 2010 landed a spot on NBC's "America's Got Talent." His time on the show, and his ability to gross out judge Howie Mandel, caused him to be one of the top-10 most Googled people.

Now, along with a group of the world's top magicians, Sperry returns to Minnesota to perform grandiose illusions and grotesque tricks for Minnesotan audiences.

So before "The Illusionists" disappeared from the stage, I asked Sperry a few questions about his own secrets and illusions.

How did you get started with magic and illusions?

I was familiar with magic shows as a kid, but it was seeing David Copperfield when I was about 4-years old that really introduced me to it. It showed me that magic shows can be much bigger and grander than, say, something I had seen in my school auditorium.

What was it about magic that interested you as young child?

Getting to see, create and experiment in creating the illusion of the impossible, but getting to do it in real life – not in a video game, movie or in my imagination from reading a book.

What does it mean to be a shock illusionist? How are shock illusions set apart from other illusions?

It is just something I created to describe what I do. I do illusions, but generally they have a shocking twist to them, kind of like Hitchcock.

How did you get the name Anti-Conjuror. What does it mean?

The word Anti-Conjuror is a title I created for when I would work night clubs and goth clubs, places like that where I would open for bands and DJs. I couldn't have the title of "Magician" or "Illusionist" on the poster or flyer because I would get judged before I even walked out on stage, so I started using the word Anti-Conjuror to represent what I do and sort of fly under the radar.

You've been performing for quite some time, how have your illusions changed over the years? Are there any that stay the same?

Some stay the same, but some evolve. There are some illusions I've been doing since I was a teenager and am still doing and evolving and tweaking.  That's what is great about magic. You can keep building and changing and working things, unlike a song, which is complete once the band or singer is done writing it. Magic can be in constant evolution, which can make for a great and fun challenge.

How does your part of the show differ from the other performances?

I think what I bring is an approach that is unlike other styles. As I mentioned before, you may think you've seen some things done like this before, but there are shocking or strange twists to them. Also, I work solo, so the majority of my parts are stripped down from any fancy lights, pyrotechnics or assistants. It can be very unpredictable at times too when I use people from the audience, kind of like a runaway train that's come off the tracks. [laughs]

How does performing with a group differ than performing as an individual?

Well, not much really. The thing about this show is that everybody in this group brings something different to the show, so my sections are still me getting to do my things in my style. The most difficult thing though is having to start and stop because we rotate in and out of the show throughout the course of the evening. Sometimes I have to go sit in my dressing room and kill time. I usually keep myself busy back there working on new routines to stay focused.

What is your favorite illusion you perform?

I've been working on one right now with my version of a rabbit out of the hat which has been a fun challenge and experiment. It isn't so much an illusion, but it has been a great challenge and fun project.

Is there an illusion you are working on that you haven't mastered yet?

Yeah...the rabbit in hat one I mentioned above. But really, the only way you know where to go with these illusions is to keep them in front of an audience and let them get beat up. You have to be willing to try them out and have them not be good at first. I listen to the audience because while I may think an idea is cool, I'm not the one to decide that, the audience is. It is a really fun challenge and sort of like a tennis match at times. I'll tweak something, put it back in the show and hear how the audience reacts for a few days. Then, based off of that response, I'll try to figure out what to change and hone, etc. This process can sometimes take only a few days, but sometimes up to a few years!

So, you grew up in Minnesota. How does returning to perform here feel? How does performing in Minnesota differ, if at all, to other places?

I really can't wait. I love coming back to places like Minnesota. I'm eager to eat some walleye. [laughs] But I also know that Minnesota audiences are up for anything. A lot of people and performers I think feel that places around the Midwest or the northern plains can be a little stuffy or conservative, but I know that Minnesotans especially like to have a good time and I'm looking forward to sharing it with them!

"The Illusionists" opens at the Ordway Center for Performing Arts Tuesday evening and runs through March 29. Tickets cost between $33 and $105. For more information on the show, or to purchase tickets, visit the Ordway online.