Evan Northrup (he/him)
In your words… Tell us about your organization, business, initiative.
I work collaboratively with institutions, theater companies, and organizations of all kinds to create magical experiences that inspire curiosity for the world around us. My projects take a host of forms – from public shows to installation art to immersive productions; whatever vehicle helps tell the story we want to tell.
Tell us a bit about you and why you do what you do? Share your passions for your business, initiative, organization.
I grew up in Salem. When my dad showed me my first magic trick at the age of 8, I knew this was what I would spend my life creating. I spent years performing on the streets (both in Salem and around the world), and have traveled this country and others creating magic to share.
Over the last five years, my work has shifted from primarily gig performances to collaborative experience design. I still produce magic shows for the public, but I’ve been exploring how to use magic methodology to enhance theater shows, visual arts, games, and everything in between. I’ve taken my experience crafting moments of wonder for individuals and translated that to help organizations reach their audiences or clients in a surprising way.
Magic has this way of stopping people in their tracks to make them take a closer look at the world around them. I love crafting those moments to make an ordinary day a bit more special.
What role do you think your business plays in supporting a more creative community? OR your community in general. (Bonus! Why do you think a more creative community is important?)
My best work has always been the collaborative work. Projects that pull on a variety of perspectives have the potential to reach so many more people in meaningful ways.
Traditionally, magic has been an insular art form. We guard our “secrets” jealously and are hesitant to share our knowledge with others. I think that has held magic back. The real secrets magicians have uncovered over the years are wildly creative problem solving skills, ways of presenting to pull people into our world, and an understanding of how people think. Those are skills I hope to share with folks in the community looking to connect with others in new and unexpected ways.
The open sharing of information between artists and businesses and community members is one of the most valuable resources we all have to pull on. I’m excited to be a part of that!
What was the last book you read or film you watched that made an impact on you?
I’m constantly pulling inspiration from as many sources as I can, so choosing one is tough. There’s a TV miniseries from 2020 called Dispatches From Elsewhere that not only checked all my boxes in terms of entertainment (intriguing storyline, unique aesthetic, great acting), but made me reconsider my own art and how to approach it. It’s been my #1 recommendation lately!
What’s the one thing people would be surprised to learn about you our your business?
Styles of magic can be traced back through time and geography. I spent countless hours of my time in college at our university’s magic library (Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like) exploring primary sources in all different languages dating back hundreds of years!
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EVAN NORTHRUP MAGIC
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Evan Northrup Magic
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Magic exists in a fleeting moment. It’s my job to create those unforgettably delicate experiences. I use our secret know-how (honed over millennia of self-sacrifice) to give my audiences experiences they will treasure for years to come. The moments I design highlight the magic elements of life that exist all around us.
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