About Our Competitors
MARK PHILLIPS
Mark Phillips learned to vanish a cigarette when he was only six years old. Thankfully, Kentucky in the ‘60’s had plenty of six year old smokers. Later, his performances at The Phoenix Playboy club paid for college and made a career in show business look more appealing than getting a real job. Moving to New York City, Mark became one of the Trade Show Industry’s leading magicians, traveling over a million air miles for Fortune 500 clients. Now in Washington DC, Mark has headlined on luxury cruise lines like Cunard and Crystal, performed at the National Theatre and Kennedy Center and, in 2014, co-founded The Magic Duel Comedy Show which now makes up the majority of his work.
RYAN PHILLIPS
As a child, Ryan Phillips wanted to be somebody. Now in his mid 20’s, he’s realized it is time to get more specific. Living vicariously through himself, Ryan combined intensive magic studies with a BFA in Theater Performance to earn award nominations for his work at The Little Theatre of Alexandria and The Roundhouse Theater. He recently contributed his talents to Shakespeare’s “The Tempest,” co-directed by Teller of Penn & Teller. All this is proof that Ryan always gives 100%, except when donating blood.
The Magic Duel
OTHER COMPETITORS
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ALYX HILSHEY
VisitA rising star in the world of magic with appearances at magicians' conventions nationwide, Alyx Hilshey began her career as a traveling, street theater entertainer. Harnessing that DNA from those historic performances, Alyx has been a featured performer at the Chicago Magic Lounge, Philadelphia's Smoke & Mirrors Magic Theater, and The Boston Magic Lab in addition to entertaining at countless private events.
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MICHAEL JONS
VisitMichael Jons will make you laugh, leave you astonished, and have you wondering whose thoughts you're really thinking. He consistently astounds audiences with his modern take on the classical art of mind-reading. Demonstrating a Sherlock Holmesian level of people-reading, Michael astonishes with feats of personal persuasion, and seemingly reads people's thoughts like an open book. He has produced numerous productions up and down the East Coast, and toured nationally with his show, “Michael Jons - Wicked Thoughts.”
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RICHARD BLOCH
VisitRichard Bloch is a frequent headliner on stages in Las Vegas and Atlantic City, Cruise Ships and Variety Theaters worldwide. A five-time nominee for Stage Magician of the Year, Rich is a Fellowship recipient at Hollywood’s famed Magic Castle. In 2010, Rich opened Dickens Parlour Theatre near Bethany Beach, a hub for entertainment that features top magicians from around the globe. He also founded the highly successful “Crystal Magicians At Sea” program, exclusive to Crystal Cruises, which provides their vessels with world class magic performers.
KAREN BERISS
Karen Beriss’ dry wit and sense of humor is brought to life through her jaw-dropping magic. Her acting and improv training with Second City have combined to make her a skilled and funny performer. Featured in national media outlets like NPR’s Marketplace, Washingtonian Magazine and The Wall Street Journal, she has performed at hundreds of business events worldwide. Karen has also co-produced Clown Cabaret and performs as part of the Big Apple Circus Clown Care Program.
