Friday, December 7, 2007

Not the magician you're expecting

By Katie Libecco

Jason Alan isn't your typical magician.

The 24-year-old Salem native got his start in magic when he saw a homeless man in California make a cigarette "disappear" for change. That was the first trick he learned.

"I don't mean to put anyone down, but when you think 'magician,' you think an older man at birthday parties pulling rabbits out of hats," he says.

Alan's form of magic involves the kind of comedy you'd expect out of Dane Cook, and his show focuses on mentalism, recently popularized by on the reality TV show "Phenomenon," judged by famed mentalists Uri Geller and Criss Angel.

Alan describes mentalism as a less flashy form of magic without props, using perception to read people.

"I can't read minds, but I make it seem like I can. I don't believe in that stuff," he says. "But people always come up to me after shows and ask if it's real."

Some of the reason for Alan's style came from misfortune, when his car was broken into and all of his props were stolen.

With a show set to start just hours later, he decided to quit using those props, or to find things around the house.

His performances are a far cry from his athletic background, playing football, basketball and running track in high school, eventually running track in college, too.

"I practiced, but I couldn't perform," he says.

So, he got his start performing by going to college parties and doing tricks there.

"Drunk people are easier to trick," he explains.

It was there he started to develop a following, becoming known to students as "Magic Jason."

"I met a lot of my current friends doing magic, and my girlfriend," he says.

His girlfriend, Nina Ozengahar, is a model and anchor of underground TV show AngelKil.

"She's the strongest person I know," Alan says. "She's helped me more than anyone else with this and sees how much I enjoy it."

Ozengahar is a far cry from a groupie, though. In addition to managing Alan and making calls for him, she also sews some of his props by hand. Alan frequently jokes about her in his performances, but says he doesn't mind being a joke or two.

Alan says he has a great support group overall, with his dad helping out a lot too.

Things started coming together for Alan while he was busy studying and training in college. While living in the dorms at Youngstown State University, Alan says he met a lot of people doing magic that knew other people, eventually leading him to "bigger things."

Now, the tricks have turned into a full-time job, doing shows almost nightly at restaurants in Cleveland and filming instructional DVDs with a Columbus company.

"I'm looking for local places, but it's hard to find Youngstown entertainment jobs. We're building up, but we're not quite there yet," he says.

His older brother, Chris Greenamyer, has made a living on magic, too. Alan says he is "doing extremely well" and performs in Branson, Missouri, which he describes as "Vegas without prostitution and gambling."

While Alan was competing on the track, field and court his brother sometimes let him help as a stagehand. He says his brother helps him come up with material and provides him with inspiration.

He also got help from professional card thrower Rick Smith Jr. about a year and a half ago. The Cleveland man holds the world record for throwing cards (72 yards.)

But Alan says he's considering competing for the record, but that it's very time consuming and likens the gym work needed to that of a pitcher in baseball.

"i'd rather work than worry about the record," he says.

Fortunately, he says, magic has become popular again because of Angel and David Blaine. In the future, he hopes to do more corporate shows at conferences and seminars, and is considering touring with a cruise ship. He's certain he wants to continue a full-time career in magic after working in a factory and a Wal-Mart.

"I can't hold a full-time job. I don't have the responsibility," he says. "But I enjoy being around people and entertaining people."

Before he can set sail though, he has two semesters left at YSU for his degree in exercise science, he says.

"I could do physical therapy down the road. It's my back-up plan," he says.

In the classroom, professors have had him do tricks in front of the class, but he doesn't mind the attention he gets as "Magic Jason."

He's also planning to start running marathons, maybe triathalons. His athleticism isn't over just yet, though he enjoys magic more than he enjoys "being a jock."