Magician Trent James appeared for an hour packed with excitement and awe in ACBU’s first in-person event of the semester.
The 24-year-old comedy magician has been in the business of magic for roughly 12 years. He started with his dad at the age of five with a simple handkerchief trick. Now, James performs anywhere from cruises to colleges.
Since the pandemic, James said most of his performances have been broadcasted online. Starting in August of 2020, he began performing in front of a live audience again.
James said he felt fortunate for being able to be the first in-person performer at Bradley.
“There is nothing like a live performance,” James said. “Obviously, we had to get on Zoom for most of the past year, and it was certainly necessary, and glad we did. I have done a number of live performances, but there’s nothing like a live show. It’s a different energy and connection.”
James had magic tricks consisting of balloons, eggs, handkerchiefs, a doll named William, T-shirts, vintage chalkboards and card tricks. With some of the acts, James asked for volunteers to come up and help him. Jacob McGiles, senior health science major, was called up for a card trick as a volunteer.
“I’ve missed the in-person events,” McGiles said. “Being a senior, I have been involved in a lot of events before, so I just have missed that interaction.”
Rebecca Miller, event coordinator and junior social work major, said she was excited to host this event in-person after being stuck online for the last few months.
“I think everyone is sick and tired of sitting at their computers, whether they’re at their house, apartment or dorm rooms,” Miller said. “I think it’s good that we’re finally able to get back into the swing of things.”
This was the first in-person event that Joseph Natoli, event coordinator and freshman sports communication and business management double major, has hosted.
“Being a freshman and being able to host my first in-person event is great and definitely a change from being fully virtual,” Natoli said.
