Thomas Baker, Illusionist – An Xperience Interview

Interview by Joshua Scarselli. Photos provided by Thomas Baker.

Given the state of the world today we could all use a little bit of magic in our lives. I caught up with Thomas Baker, an illusionist from Saugerties, NY. Thomas tells us a little bit about the magic he brings to his audiences.

Aftershow magic at Rhinebeck’s Starr Theater

RRX: How old were you when you first got into magic?

TB: I was only 12 when I first got into magic.

RRX: What got you into magic?

TB: I got into it because of performances of “America’s Got Talent” and “Penn and Teller Fool Us” that I’d see on YouTube.

RRX: How did you go about learning illusions?

TB: I invent my own illusions with my own original techniques. I’m completely self-taught!

RRX: How do you come up with your own illusions?

TB: As a magician, I have an arsenal of moves and sleights that I have developed over the years. When it comes to inventing new tricks or acts, I tend to create a general idea of what I’d like to achieve, look at the various techniques, get as creative as I can, and try to make everything work together to create a wonderful result. Scripting, believe it or not, has a huge role in my tricks because scripting is the very essence of misdirection. With misdirection, almost any effect I can think of is possible.

RRX: What type of illusions are your favorite to perform?

TB: I love all sorts of illusions, but I mainly perform card magic and illusions with everyday objects such as coins, dollar bills, and all sorts of other stuff.

RRX: Do you have any plans to invent any large-scale illusions?

TB: In terms of larger scale illusions, I find many of them to feel too gimmicky and tacky. There are a few larger scale illusions that I use in my show, but they don’t require trick boxes, or specially made tables; they use everyday items. I want magic for an audience member to feel personal, intimate and organic. Making a borrowed-and-signed dollar bill disappear and then appear on the other side of the room, inside a locked box, and in an audience member’s hands, (to me) is 100 times more impressive than sawing a person in half or any of the cliched magic that everyone else has done! A very famous magician once told me, if there were such thing as real magicians in this world, they wouldn’t carry around giant wooden boxes to prove they were “actually magic.” They’d do incredible things with what they had around them at the time.

RRX: Which magicians have you been inspired by?

TB: I have been inspired by Dani DaOrtiz, who is a psychology-based magician, Joshua Jay who is an incredible storyteller-magician, and Darwin Ortiz, who always knows how to leave an impact on audiences! They all inspire me, and I hold them all in the highest respect.

RRX: What can someone expect when they see you perform?

TB: When you see me perform, you can expect a show that will lead you down the paths of your mind that you’ve never explored. You’ll change your perspective and see my view of the world, and most importantly, I will leave you questioning reality and blow your mind.

RRX: What do you like people to take away from your act?

TB: What people take away from my act is something more than just entertainment; it’s memories and illusions that’ll stay in their mind for a very long time. These illusions will take you away from your reality and bring you into my own creative space, where you will witness the philosophies I live by, and the psychology behind everything I create!

Rhinebeck’s Starr Theater welcomes Thomas Baker to the stage

RRX: Where do you perform?

TB: I have performed all over! From private company parties like the world-famous makeup brand L’Oréal Paris. I have also performed in theaters like the Bridge Street Theatre in Catskill, the Orpheum in Saugerties, and the Starr Theater in Rhinebeck. Also, festivals like East Durham’s Pumpkin Fest and the Hope Rocks festival held in Saugerties. I have also performed for the #1 haunted house in America, “Headless Horseman Hayrides and Haunted Houses.”

RRX: What is one of your biggest goals to accomplish as a magician?

TB: I think one of the greatest goals I’ve accomplished as a magician is establishing a name for myself in my community, and transitioning from a hobbyist to an actual professional who gets many gigs and makes good money off it! I think my biggest accomplishment, though, was performing for the corporate executives of L’Oréal!

RRX: Where can people find out about your upcoming performances or book you?

TB: You can find out all about my next performances on my Instagram and Facebook pages, and can also contact me directly about bookings as well.

Instagram: @tbakermagic

Facebook: Thomas Baker

Phone Number: 845-616-0367

Email: Tbaker@exit20.com

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