Today we’d like to introduce you to Steve Barcellona.
Hi Steve, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I am what happens when you say yes to your mid-life crisis! Over twenty years ago, I had a great job, and I was making a good living, but I was working 60 plus hours a week. My job wasn’t and was never going to give me the kind of lifestyle or freedom I wanted for my family or me. Even worse, it was sucking the life out of me; I wasn’t doing what I loved.
The art of magic and sleight of hand has always been my passion. I love seeing the incredible impact it has on people. One day, I realized that I wasn’t where I was supposed to be; I wasn’t doing what I was supposed to be doing. So, I did something about it, and I took the leap of faith. Pre-Covid, my calendar stayed pretty full, performing comedy and magic at banquets and events all over the area. It’s like being a celebrity, one night at a time.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There are always challenges along the way. Covid has been a hurdle. Things are starting to get back to normal, and my phone is beginning to ring again. But it was and still is a struggle to some degree.
People’s perception was one of the biggest hurdles in the beginning.
I do something different; it’s like meeting a magician instead of seeing someone do a trick. My show is like what you would see in a comedy club, but clean of course. I am more like a comedian that does amazing magic. In the beginning, I had to sell people on that for their events. I found that people tend to think of magic as something for the kids. But once people see what I do, they get it.
No matter the obstacle, I try and stay focused on my main goal. Which is, when I’m performing and the night is over, I wanted everyone to say to themselves, “Wow, that was fun!” or “I haven’t laughed that hard in years!” I knew that if I did that night after night, it would build momentum if I did.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Depending on the event, the fun starts as soon as people arrive and discover a Mystery Guest, who is a strolling magician! As I work the room, everyone gets their own show, sometimes happening right in their hand. It’s not just about the tricks; it’s really about getting people to engage with each other and the event.
People don’t see this kind of close-up magic every day; it adds a spark to cocktail parties, banquets, and receptions. It is fun and flexible and a great way to set a fun tone for any event.
Later, I perform my stand-up comedy and magic show. It’s an interactive one-person show that the whole room gets involved in. There is impressive magic and a lot of big laughs, but it’s really a ride through my life and things that have happened to me. I love to hear people say, “I never liked magic, but I love Steve!” It’s the perfect exclamation point for corporate events like banquets, awards dinners, or appreciation events.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I love to tell people that I get paid to do what I got in trouble for when I was a kid! Of course, I was always in trouble for being a wise-cracking kid. I just remember being punished all the time. I spent a lot of time in corners! When I was a child, my mother worked for a big publishing company, and she would “pilfer” the magic books for me. It wasn’t too long until the bug bit me. Once I started to see the reactions my magic was getting around the dinner table, I was hooked.
I started performing around my community at various events. As a result, I never had a typical job in my teenage years, like fast food or retail. I just performed at local events. It seems like events are what I have always done.
In my 20’s I studied acting at the Strasburg Institue in New York City, and that craft still colors everything I do on stage today. To me, I am just playing a scene, and the entire audience is my scene partner.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you, or support you?
When people ask me what I do, I always say, “I make events fun and incredible!”
Companies and organizations hire me to liven up all types of their events. I am centrally based in St. Louis, MO, so I am available nationwide. The easiest way to check availability is by filling in the form on my website or by giving me a call. I love to talk about events!
Contact Info:
- Email: Info@stevebarcellona.com
- Website: https://stevebarcellona.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevebarcellona/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stevebarcellonacomedymagic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQKRFp5gywbpujl13ZDJpQw
Image Credits
PBC Studios
