Freshman Brady Lee stands before a crowd with a deck of cards in hand and a sly grin across his face. After a short explanation, he presents an illusion meant to baffle and astonish folks of all ages.
Among Brady Lee’s vast bag of tricks he considers his best illusion The Invisible Deck. In this sleight-of-hand trick, he instructs someone to think of any playing card. The participant is asked to remember the card. As Lee fans out the cards, only one card lies in the opposite direction: the participant’s original choice. No force, Lee says ? just pure magic.
Lee attempts to shock crowds of diverse sizes and cultures with his hobby. He is often found at sporting events entertaining the opposing team’s fans. Swarms of people, both young and old, are always seen congregating around as he attempts to thrill his audience.
Recently Lee dealt his magic during the boys’ varsity basketball game in Caruthers. Though half-time entertainment was already provided, Lee attracted the focus of a vast majority of the audience.
After his performance, Omar Guzaman, a current Caruthers High School student, commented on the experience.
“I was totally surprised when he found my card in the deck after it had been shuffled,” Guzaman said.
Another Caruthers student, Karm Chima, said, “If I had to see that very trick done by anyone else, it wouldn’t be as great. He could do the same tricks every time and I would still be amazed!”
Kyser Anderson, ’12, attended the game and filmed Lee on scene for a movie made in video productions class.
“It’s harder to film the wonder and beauty of the illusion while staring at such a small screen,” Anderson said. “Brady’s tricks are amazing and very cool to watch. I enjoy capturing the grand expressions displayed on the faces of spectators.”
Lee’s interest in magic began when he attended the Forest Home Family Camp when he was in the fifth grade. There he first met Danny Ray, a Christian illusionist who shared the gospel as he performed magic tricks. After the presentation Lee invested in an instructional magic DVD.
“My dad showed me a magic trick and got me started on the fascinating road to magic,” Lee said. “The card trick was amazing and brought a sense of wonder to me. Then after seeing Ray I began thoroughly pursuing the art.”
When Lee returned home, he used his free time to perfect the trick. Within a period of weeks he confidently presented his first magic trick to his family.
“I’m his practice audience,” Sheri, Lee’s mother, said. “People assume I know how he does his tricks, but the truth is, I really don’t. I’m just as amazed as anyone else. I also think part of his appeal is his unassuming nature. He’ll wow someone with a trick, and make it seem like no big deal.”
Vanessa Markarian of Peoples Church’s Team Ministries initially asked Lee to perform at the organization’s annual summer camp in 2006. Markarian discovered Lee’s hobby through a campus talent show. She was impressed by Lee’s ability to intertwine purposeful gospel messages in his presentations.
“I like how his magic has a biblical aspect to it,” Markarian said. “The kids can easily relate to him.”
Lee performs in front of audiences which range from five hundred people down to a single individual.
“Each show adds experience and polishes my performance,” Lee said. “Compared to my first performance, I have become very comfortable and public speaking is now easier in front of large groups.”
Not only does Lee perform for his own enjoyment, he has also made a job out of his talent. He has been hired for parties and gatherings, charging $75-85 in order to cover the expenses of tricks.
“The money I get from shows usually pays for the tricks I buy,” Lee said. “I am doing 14 shows at the Fresno County Library this summer for $85 each. That will bring in some good spending money.”
As Lee continues to improve, he hopes to broaden his talent beyond the expected.
“I try to learn to do magic with basically anything,” Lee said, “so if someone asks me to do a trick I can just find stuff laying around and entertain them.”
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