MAGIC
An award-winning magician, John is a co-founder of the Chicago Magic Lounge and currently serves as the National 1st VP of the Society of American Magicians.
Perfect for occasions ranging from private events to cruise ships, John's unique combination of sleight-of-hand and sharp comedy is always a hit!
Personal Statement
"I've wanted to be a performer ever since I was a kid. I remember writing an essay for my third grade class about how I wanted to be a comedian.
I started studying the piano when I was in the fourth grade. My dad played the trumpet, and I wanted to play the saxophone. My parents convinced me to start with piano - especially convenient since the neighbor lady across the street taught lessons. I kept up lessons all the way through the end of high school, becoming especially interested in jazz. I even hosted my own jazz radio program through my high school's 200-watt radio station, WSDP-FM.
I didn't find magic until I was a sophomore at Michigan State University. Before long, I was doing shows around campus and performing at birthday parties. I started getting involved with the local chapter of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, and found my way to the Abbott's Magic Get-Together in Colon, Michigan.
After college, I applied and was offered a job with Fun Incorporated, American's largest magic manufacturer. So I moved to Chicago in the fall of 2007. Wanting to take full advantage of my new surroundings, I started to take improv classes at The Second City. I wanted to take lessons learned from improv and apply them to my magic act. From there, I got involved in working as a piano accompanist for improv comedy theaters all around Chicago.
I can often be seen behind the keyboards at Comedysportz Chicago, the iO Theater, the Laugh Out Loud Theater, and the Second City Training Center. I worked on numerous sketch reviews with groups like Stir Friday Night, and still kept up performing close-up and stage magic in various public and private events. I've even done a bit of teaching - I have taught musical improv workshops for Tara DeFrancisco's The Improv Retreat since 2011.
In 2017, I decided to semi-retire from the improv world to focus full-time on the Chicago Magic Lounge, which I co-founded. We opened a full-time magic bar and theater at 5050 N. Clark in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood. I left there in 2019.
Currently, Iām playing jazz weekly, Friday nights with guitarist Steve Knight, working on a new public magic show called Magic Night Chicago, improv shows with CSz Chicago and Storytown Improv, as well as private magic performances. I like to keep busy!
On top of all this, I remain active with the local chapter of the Society of American Magicians. I served as president of the club from 2013-2016, and then decided to go for higher office. I became the National First Vice-President in 2021."
ZOOM doors open at 6:30 pm.
This evening's event will be a lecture and workshop. Please bring a set of linking rings, cups and balls, and a dye tube to get the maximum enjoyment from this lecture and workshop.
Maestro John Sturk has some useful tips and tricks to make your performance special.
Let's give John Sturk a spirited
Ring 313 welcome!