Spring Break
Student magician performs tricks for product promotion
Chloe Thompson
Issue date: 4/25/07 Section: Campus
"You learn a lot from history," he said. "Most people are surprised about how far back [magic] goes. It's really, really old."
Ramsay, originally from Tiverton, R.I., said he doesn't plan on dedicating his entire life to magic - he eventually wants to be a motivational speaker in the corporate world - but he said these shows were "another thing to add to my experiences, so who knows where it will go."
The magician is firm in the difference between show business and the corporate world. "You really have to use your business skills and your entrepreneurial skills," he said. "I never thought I'd learn about the business skills I have now [through magic]. It's all about the business, the magic is show business, the tricks are probably only 15 percent of the industry."
He added that people shouldn't believe in such tricks as levitation or sawing people in half.
"If anyone says they can walk on water, it's not true," he said. "You have to understand that there's tricks, slight of hand, psychology, but don't believe anyone who says they can float in the air."
As for his taste in what some might call an unusual hobby, Ramsay said, "If you want something, you might as well keep pursuing it and not give up. If I was good at basketball, I'd be doing that."
For now, Ramsay is continuing his college education while performing at national championships. He has one Sunday in Worcester, Mass. at the DCU Center, which follows his win at a competition in Providence, R.I. in January. Ramsay will be the youngest performer in his age group.
In regard to why students haven't seen this magician's act on campus, he said he's never been asked to perform for students.
"If they ever asked me," he said. "I'd love to."
Ramsay, originally from Tiverton, R.I., said he doesn't plan on dedicating his entire life to magic - he eventually wants to be a motivational speaker in the corporate world - but he said these shows were "another thing to add to my experiences, so who knows where it will go."
The magician is firm in the difference between show business and the corporate world. "You really have to use your business skills and your entrepreneurial skills," he said. "I never thought I'd learn about the business skills I have now [through magic]. It's all about the business, the magic is show business, the tricks are probably only 15 percent of the industry."
He added that people shouldn't believe in such tricks as levitation or sawing people in half.
"If anyone says they can walk on water, it's not true," he said. "You have to understand that there's tricks, slight of hand, psychology, but don't believe anyone who says they can float in the air."
As for his taste in what some might call an unusual hobby, Ramsay said, "If you want something, you might as well keep pursuing it and not give up. If I was good at basketball, I'd be doing that."
For now, Ramsay is continuing his college education while performing at national championships. He has one Sunday in Worcester, Mass. at the DCU Center, which follows his win at a competition in Providence, R.I. in January. Ramsay will be the youngest performer in his age group.
In regard to why students haven't seen this magician's act on campus, he said he's never been asked to perform for students.
"If they ever asked me," he said. "I'd love to."
