Suzanne Sinclair was early in her career as a computer programmer when she took up magic as a hobby.
A mentor showed her that magic goes beyond puzzles, brain teasers and optical illusions, which piqued her curiosity. When performing a trick, "You want it to look like magic" even though you know there is no such thing, explained the magician, who goes by Suzanne professionally. "Building up that paradox is thrilling," she said.
After mastering a handful of tricks, the Brooklyn Park resident landed some gigs at nearby restaurants, performing for small groups. Soon she was making more money doing that than she was from writing computer code. So she quit her day job.
In the 25 years since, Suzanne's sleights-of-hand have taken her all over the map, including the landmark Magic Castle in Hollywood, a showplace where she performs twice a year. In April, she was named Close-Up Magician of the Year for 2010 by the Academy of Magical Arts, an international club based in the Magic Castle. She is the first woman to gain the honor.
Suzanne specializes in "close-up magic," which is more intimate than "stage magic," where there's a kind of wall between the magician and audience, she said.
As its name suggests, "close-up magic" is a style wherein a magician performs close to a small audience, without the benefit of a stage. A magician may bring tricks from table to table or alongside guests at a private party, she said.
Suzanne said she enjoys making a connection with her audience. "It's more than 'see what I can do.' It's an equal partnership with the audience. I've learned how to share the stage with the audience."
In developing her routines, she draws from her personal experiences. For example, a trick she calls "A mother's love" is based on the everyday powers of mothers and Band-Aids. It sprang from a memory of her son Ian as a youngster, when he wanted a Band-Aid after banging his elbow. She and an audience member write on the inside of Band-Aids before sticking them on imaginary wounds. When they strip the bandages away, the two different inscriptions appear to have swapped Band-Aids.
The inspiration for a "cups and balls" routine that Suzanne does came to her one morning after she'd told herself the night before to "dream about how it should be." Suzanne woke up at 4 that morning, her creative juices flowing. "I had to get up and write it down before I could go back to sleep," she said.
She came up with a make-believe tale about a group of travelers for whom an old ammunition box, a set of teak wood cups and some balls that resemble marbles become magical props.
Despite the fantasy aspect of magic, her point is, "If we open our minds and our eyes and learn from each other, we may just find life's greatest treasures."
Jim Berg, co-owner of Twin Cities Magic & Costume Co. in St. Paul, praised Suzanne's ability to break into the male-dominated field.
"There are only a handful of female magicians who have become famous on their own," said Berg, who also is a magician.
Suzanne stands out for her ability to build a rapport with her audience, he said. "She keeps people enthralled and actively engaged. She's the perfect example of someone who treats magic as an art form."
Suzanne performs regularly at Mad Jacks Sports Cafes in Brooklyn Park and Vadnais Heights and Birch's Restaurant in Long Lake.
Anna Pratt is a Minneapolis freelance writer.
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