Leah Orleans is the daughter of Chicago magicians Danny Orleans and Jan Rose, and she followed her parents into the classic world of live entertainment by training in acrobatics, contortion and more. Her touring, one-woman Tiny Big Girl Show sees Orleans juggling fire, using a bullwhip while riding a unicycle, and keeping audiences laughing and cheering.
For her next trick, she’s producing the inaugural Mystify Magic Festival, coming to Las Vegas March 10-12 at Santa Fe Station, a sort of convention festival focused on women, LGBTQ entertainers and promoting overall diversity in the magic industry. It’s being promoted as an inclusive experience where magicians, variety entertainers and magic enthusiasts of all ages, backgrounds and gender identities can connect, share skills and learn from each other.
“With this first-of-its-kind festival, I aim to send a shockwave of inspiration and encouragement,” Orleans said in a statement. “We’re here to make space for women and LGBTQ+ individuals who are ready to take their entertainment career to new heights. I believe opportunities come from people, and by being in the same room with the best in the business, the opportunities for change and growth are finally within reach.”
Among the performers scheduled to appear for panels, workshops and other events are: Alexandra Duvivier, the French female magician who fooled Las Vegas’ own Penn & Teller on their magic competition show Penn & Teller: Fool Us; Los Angeles “mystery entertainer” Krystyn Lambert, who has performed with Criss Angel; veteran British closeup magician Fay Presto; magician, speaker and author Nicole Cardoza; drag entertainer Miss Uchawi and many more.
Attendees can register for the event or find more information at mystifymagicfestival.com, and some scholarships are available
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