Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Lindsey.
Hi Amanda, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My journey as a professional comedy magician and interactive mentalist in the St. Louis area started back in the 1990s when I first saw magic on TV. Like a lot of kids, I was instantly hooked. Of course, my early attempts at performing acrobatics—which involved falling right out of a tree—quickly convinced me that gravity wasn’t on my side, so I decided I’d better stick to card tricks as I got older.
What started as a childhood fascination with sleight-of-hand evolved into a lifelong dedication to the art of live performance, mentalism, and audience connection. Over the years, I honed my craft from backyard card tricks into high-impact entertainment tailored for adults, corporate events, and upscale weddings across the Midwest.
A massive highlight of that journey was stepping onto the national stage for Season 11 of Penn & Teller: Fool Us. While I didn’t successfully fool Penn and Teller—walking away with one of their trophies is famously difficult for a reason—getting the chance to perform under those famous lights, share banter with the hosts, and represent the St. Louis magic community on television was an absolute career milestone.
Today, I am proud to be a premier St. Louis entertainer, bringing mind-bending close-up magic and comedy mentalism to private galas, corporate gatherings, and weddings. Along the way, I’ve also had the privilege of collaborating with top-tier brands like X-Decks at major industry conventions.
But for me, building this brand isn’t just about the magic—it’s about community impact. In memory of my neighbor dog, Maisey, a dedicated percentage of the proceeds from every single booking goes directly to SPEAK! Rescue, a local St. Louis animal rescue. From a kid practicing card tricks in the 90s to headlining shows like my upcoming performances at The Duck Room and across the region, my story has always been about turning a lifelong passion into unforgettable experiences that give back to the St. Louis community.
PS: While I was busy learning my card tricks in the 90s, I also have to give a major shout-out to Marlena Evans being possessed on Days of Our Lives, which secretly taught me an invaluable early lesson about high-stakes drama and great storytelling.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has definitely not been a straight or smooth road, but the bumps along the way are what forced me to elevate my craft and build a sustainable business. When you are carving out a living as a professional comedy magician and mentalist, the biggest struggle early on isn’t just mastering the sleight-of-hand—it’s navigating the unpredictable nature of the live entertainment industry, building a brand from scratch, and figuring out how to consistently get in front of the right audiences.
From transitioning local card tricks into high-end professional stage shows, to learning the grueling business mechanics of booking, marketing, and local search visibility, every setback taught me resilience. Whether you are performing close-up magic during the natural lulls of a high-end St. Louis wedding reception, headlining a packed comedy club, or entertaining at exclusive private parties and corporate galas, success requires constant adaptability. You have to learn how to read a room instantly, bounce back when a crowd is tough, and treat the business side of art with the same discipline as the performance itself.
Those challenges are ultimately what shaped my career—pushing me all the way from practicing card tricks in the 1990s (while secretly taking storytelling cues from Marlena Evans getting possessed on Days of Our Lives) to stepping onto national television for Season 11 of Penn & Teller: Fool Us. The struggles taught me that if you want to keep calendars full for comedy clubs, weddings, and private events, you have to be relentless, deeply adaptable, and fully committed to turning every obstacle into an unforgettable live experience.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am Magic Amanda, a professional comedy magician, interactive mentalist, and premier live entertainer based right here in the St. Louis metropolitan area. I specialize in delivering high-impact, mind-bending entertainment for upscale St. Louis weddings, corporate events, private galas, and headlining comedy club events across the Midwest. Whether I’m performing strolling close-up magic during a wedding cocktail hour, working the room at a corporate gathering, or delivering a full stage show, my goal is always to leave adult audiences completely spellbound and laughing out loud.
What I am most proud of:
Without a doubt, my proudest professional milestone was stepping onto the national stage for Season 11 of Penn & Teller: Fool Us. While I didn’t successfully fool Penn and Teller—walking away with one of their trophies is famously difficult for a reason—getting the opportunity to perform under those famous lights, share banter with the hosts, and represent my hometown on television was an absolute career-defining honor.
What sets me apart from others:
In the entertainment world, several distinct elements set my brand apart and make me the go-to choice for event planners and couples:
The Only St. Louis Magician on Fool Us: I proudly hold the unique distinction of being the only magician based in St. Louis to ever appear on Penn & Teller: Fool Us, bringing national-level caliber performance directly to local stages.
Unmatched Local Wedding Expertise: As a premier St. Louis wedding magician, I specialize in eliminating awkward lulls between ceremonies and receptions, breaking the ice, and giving guests an unforgettable talking point.
Comedy Club Versatility: My background in comedy magic means I don’t just do tricks; I deliver a razor-sharp, witty, and interactive stage show that kills in dedicated comedy clubs as easily as it does at corporate events.
Art with a Purpose (Charity Integration): What truly defines my brand is a deep commitment to giving back. In memory of my neighbor dog, Maisey, a dedicated percentage of the proceeds from every single booking goes directly to SPEAK! Rescue, a local St. Louis animal rescue. When clients hire me, they aren’t just getting top-tier entertainment—they are actively helping shelter dogs find loving homes right here in our community.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The single most important lesson I’ve learned along this journey is that talent on stage is only half the battle; the real secret to longevity is taking absolute ownership of your business and your community impact.
When I started out practicing card tricks in the 1990s (while taking heavy storytelling cues from watching Marlena Evans get possessed on Days of Our Lives), I thought magic was purely about the sleight-of-hand. But building a full-time career as a professional comedy magician and mentalist—from headlining comedy clubs and upscale St. Louis weddings to stepping onto the national stage for Season 11 of Penn & Teller: Fool Us—taught me that you have to master the backend mechanics just as much as the art. You have to learn local SEO, understand digital marketing so event planners can actually find you, and develop the relentless adaptability needed to read any room on the fly.
More importantly, I’ve learned that your art means so much more when it is tied to a deeper purpose. Whether I am collaborating with top industry brands like X-Decks or donating a dedicated percentage of my show proceeds to SPEAK! Rescue in memory of my neighbor dog, Maisey, the greatest lesson is this: when you use your platform to build genuine connections and give back to your local St. Louis community, you aren’t just entertaining people—you are creating a lasting impact that outlasts the final curtain.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.magicamanda.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/magicamanda87
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MagicAmanda87
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-lindsey-m-ed-ncc-lpc-96a838a6/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/magicamanda
