Performer Stories — Fascinating Stories from Top Entertainers Kris Sheppard

In this episode, I sit down with professional goofball, Don Bursell. He shares some stories about a mortifying road trip adventure, getting a unicycle through security, bowling ball juggling mishaps, his experience with Barnum & Bailey, celebrity encounters, and embarrassing audience member reactions.
Save 10% off an order from his online magic book store by using coupon code "performer" at checkout! Code valid through 12/31/22. 
Don Bursell's Website: http://donbentertainment.com/
Don's Magic Book Shop: http://donsmagicandbooks.com/ 
 

Javier Montelongo, AKA The "Great" Demonio, is a magician unlike you've ever seen before. Bearing an unsettling visage that combines a luchidor mask, a rabbit, and your nightmares, this entertainer performs silent bizarre magical presentations that leave people amazed and asking the question, "why?"

Jimmy Rook is a magician from Orlando, FL. He's performed magic for over fifteen years and recently traveled to perform at The Chicago Magic Lounge in Chicago.
You can frequently catch his act at the award winning “Outta Control Magic Comedy Dinner Show” in Orlando. You may have also seen his appearances on America's Got Talent.
In addition to this, he also serves as a police officer where he teaches what he's learned about deception from magic to other officers in order to help inform and protect them out in the field.

This week's storytellers are Broadway Actor/Singer Kimberly JaJuan, Magician, Ballonist, and Sideshow Performer Zia Quill Kay, Magician and Podcast Host Kayla Drescher, and Celtic Magician Daniel Greenwolf.
All the stories in this episode have to do with nightmares unfolding at and during performances. Kimberly talks about missing an entrance cue, Zia tells about a gig that was raided by SWAT, Kayla talks about exiting an illusion too early, and Daniel talks about a fireworks stunt gone wrong.
 
Kimberly JaJuan
The first story is told by Kimberly JaJuan, a singer and actor both on and off Broadway. She's a graduate of The Eastman School and of Julliard School earning both Bachelor's and Masters Degrees. Some of her more notable (and favorite) roles have been Singing with Gloria Estefan and Harry Connick, Jr. at the Papal visit at Madison Square Garden, portraying the role of Sarah in RAGTIME on Broadway, and creating the role of Lisette alongside classmate Audra McDonald in MARIE CHRISTINE. Most recently she could have been seen bringing HERCULES to life with the Public Works at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park.
She's a long time member and manager of Broadway Inspirational Voices, a diverse, professional choir of broadway artists, united to change lives through the power of music and service. She's also a broadway investor debuting as an Associate Producer on productions like American Son, Ain’t Too Proud, and Hadestown to name a few.
Here she is talking about the time she missed her entrance cue during a live performance. 
 
Zia Quill Kay
The second story is by Zia Quill Kay, a balloon artist, magician, clown, and sideshow performer. It't not like he had a choice though, with parents who are also in the performance industry as well.
Here he is telling about his very first close up magic gig that got raided by SWAT. 
 
Kayla Drescher
The third story is my magician and podcast host Kayle Drescher, that creates magic that you care about and can really connect with on a human level.
Her magic has taken her all over the world for clients like Microsoft, IBM, and Wells Fargo, among others. She also tours the world with the traveling show, Champions of Magic alongside other fellow magi and is planning to hit the road again in October!
You may have seen her on TV shows like Access Hollywood, NBC’s Today Show, where she was crowned “The Next Great Magician” by David Copperfield, or on Penn & Teller’s Fool Us where Teller literally fell in love with her magic.
She's also the host of the SHEzam Podcast, a show that hopes to make itself obsolete, as it brings change in the magic community and other neighboring industries. The goal being to inspire these industries to be more inclusive to all...and it’s working!
Here she talking about the time she left the box early in a grand illusion performance during Champions of Magic.
Here's where you can find out more about Kayla: 
Kayla's Website: http://magicinheels.com/ 
Champions of Magic Website: http://championsofmagic.co.uk/ 
SHEzam Podcast: http://shezampod.com/ 
 
Daniel Greenwolf
The final story is told by Daniel Greenwolf, an Award-Winning Magician, Writer, Creator, & Slightly Mad Irishman. His show takes Highly Visual Magic, Theatrical Storytelling, Exhilarating Irish Music, Interactive Comedy, & Thrilling Danger and wraps it in a Celtic Theme that has been described as "A Witty, Modern-Day Celtic Viking. Kinda like James Joyce with a Broad Sword."
For Five Years In A Row he was voted as one of the Top Five Solo Variety Acts in theUS by the Renaissance Festival Podcast & Renaissance Magazine.
He's opened for World-Renowned Musician WENDY RULE, the CAST OF BEATLEMANIA, as well as International Celtic Rock Group ENTER THE HAGGIS You may have also seen him featured in the Film Documentary MAGIC CAMP  and on AMC Network's DISPATCHES FROM ELSEWHERE starring Jason Segel and Sally Field.
Here's Daniel telling about how him and a friend

This week's storytellers are broadway actor and singer Kimberly JaJuan, broadway actor E Clayton Cornelious, magician Ran'D Shine, and broadway actor Stanley Wayne Mathis.
This week, in observance of Juneteenth coming up this Saturday, I'm featuring stories all from Black entertainers. If you're unaware of what Juneteenth is, having only glanced past it as a seemingly obscure holiday on your calender, Juneteenth, observed on June 19th is a day in which we celebrate the day that the slaves in Texas found out that the Emancipation Proclimation was happening. In short, it declared that "all persons held as slaves are, and henceforward shall be free."
Although that happened in 1863, 158 years ago, Black people today unfortunately are still facing challenges of equality. It may or may not come as a surprise that these challenges also crop up for those in the entertainment industry as well.
It's my goal this episode to shine light on some of these challenges to bring awareness and inspire change because this is something that needs to be addressed, not just by those experiencing it, but by all people.
 
Kimberly JaJuan
The first story is told by Kimberly JaJuan, a singer and actor both on and off Broadway. She's a graduate of The Eastman School and of Julliard School earning both Bachelor's and Masters Degrees. Some of her more notable (and favorite) roles have been Singing with Gloria Estefan and Harry Connick, Jr. at the Papal visit at Madison Square Garden, portraying the role of Sarah in RAGTIME on Broadway, and creating the role of Lisette alongside classmate Audra McDonald in MARIE CHRISTINE. Most recently she could have been seen bringing HERCULES to life with the Public Works at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. She's a long time member and manager of Broadway Inspirational Voices, a diverse, professional choir of broadway artists, united to change lives through the power of music and service. She's also a broadway investor debuting as an Associate Producer on productions like American Son, Ain’t Too Proud, and Hadestown to name a few.
Here she is talking about a time she had to be judicious with her words in regards to cultural differences having been asked for her thoughts on a scene being rehearsed.
 
E Clayton Cornelious
The second story is by E Clayton Cornelious, a 22 year broadway veteran with credits including The Caterpillar in Wonderland, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Scottsboro Boys, and A Chorus Line. Add to this, a number of National Tour credits that include Kinky Boots, Sister Act, Jersey Boys, and Dirty Dancing. In addition to his countless theater credits, he's a broadway investor and producer as well as a member of the Broadway Inspirational Voices. He's also a recent recipient of the, "Legacy Robe" for his role in the Broadway hit, Ain't Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations.
Here's E Clayton telling about a time he didn't land a role because he didn't fit the picture of what they were looking for.
Here's where you can find out more about E Clayton: 
E Clayton's Website: 
https://www.eclaycorn.com 
 
Ran'D Shine
The third story is my magician Ran'D Shine, the face of the new millennium magician who's magic has taken him around the world from Cape Town South Africa performing his one-man show, "Mysterious Ways," to Presidential Inauguration banquets at the White House. He is one of the most sought after magicians on the college circuit, and has been featured at Hollywood's 'Magic Castle' as well as 'Monday Night Magic', New York's longest running Off-Broadway magic show.
Here's Ran'D talking about a time he was mistaken for waitstaff at a networking event and then questioned as if he didn't belong there.
Here's where you can find out more about Ran'D: 
Ran'D's Website:
https://www.randyshine.com  
 
Stanley Wayne Mathis
The final story is told by Stanley Wayne Mathis, a broadway veteran who made his debut in 1990 in the revival of Oh, Kay!. His o

This week's storytellers are One-woman stunt show Martika, Sketch Improv Comedian Greg Triggs, Mario the Maker Magician, and mentalist Jonathan Pritchard.
Here's what you'll hear this episode. Martika shares some touching experiences doing driveway shows during the pandemic, Greg shares a heartwarming moment with a 90 year old woman while performing at Disney World, Mario shares about a child juggler who opened his show and a special moment that meant so much to Mario, and Jonathan shares a couple fond memories having worked with The Amazing Randi.
 
Martika: Heartwarming experiences performing during the pandemic
The first story is told by Martika, an international variety entertainer based in Kansas City, MO. and is the C.E.O. of KC Entertainment Services, LLC. Having left a career as a veterinary technician more than ten years ago, she's toured the world solo, performing fire art stunts, escapes, and other sideshow danger acts. In fact, she's Kansas City's only woman sword swallower, and the only one woman show of this kind in the Midwest! She also teaches a variety of workshops in these disciplines establishing her even further as an expert.
In her story, Martika tells about some heartwarming experiences she's has while performing driveway shows during the pandemic. 
Here's where you can find out more about Martika: 
Martika's Website: 
https://themartikashow.com/
Instagram: 
https://www.instagram.com/themartikashow/
Facebook: 
https://www.facebook.com/martikamd
 
Greg Triggs: Reminicing About Adventurers Club & Streetmosphere Performing at Disney World
The second story is told by Greg Triggs, a show director, writer, and improv sketch artist who's appeared with top sketch comedy troupes like The Brave New Workshop in Minneapolis and the Who, What, and Warehouse at Disney's Comedy Warehouse at Walt Disney World in Orlando.
In this story, Greg reminices about his times performing at the world famous Adventurer's Club and as a streetmosphere character both at Walt Disney World.
Here's where you can find out more about Greg: 
Greg's Website http://www.gregtriggs.com/

Broadway's Next Hit Musical http://www.broadwaysnexthitmusical.com/
 
Strategic Entertainment NYC http://www.strategicentertainmentnyc.com/ 
 
Mario the Maker Magician: A meaningful experience from a young juggler that opened for him
The third story is told by Mario the Maker Magician, who's zaney family magic and hand built robotics have have garnered him an appearance on Sesame Street and a residency with Maker Magazine doing a fun digital live show for families. You may have also seen some of his crazy awesome magical robotic short videos on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.
In his story, he tells about a meaningful moment from a young juggler that opened for him at a fair.
Here's where you can find out more about Mario: 
Mario's Website: http://www.mariothemagician.com/
Mario's Instagram: @mariothemagician 
www.instagram.com/mariothemagician
 
Jonathan Pritchard: Remembering The Amazing Randi
The final story is told by Jonathan Pritchard, a mentalist, author, speaker, and trainer who focuses on the power of applied psychology helping businesses improve their marketing, sales, and delivery.
In his story, Jonathan recalls some fond memories having worked with James "Amazing" Randi.
Here's where you can find out more about Jonathan:
Jonathan's Website: 
http://jonathanpritchard.me/  
Elite University: 
http://elite.university  
Game of Imagination: 
http://gameofimagination.com/  
 
Share Your Own Stories! 
Do you have comments, suggestions, or want to share your own stories? Drop me a line! performerstories@gmail.com
 
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