We’re looking forward to introducing you to Dustin MacMillan. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Dustin, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
I recently went to the Pacific Coast Association of Magicians (PCAM) convention and I competed in my very first magic competition. I was nervous about competing and actually took 1st place in my category. I am now a gold medalist in magic which makes me very proud of my award winning magic act.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Dustin MacMillan and I am a Magician, Balloon Artist, and Variety Circus Entertainer. I provide wandering entertainment, stage shows, and decor for different events. I believe that what I provide my clients is more than a service, magic and the circus arts are about the experience. It’s providing wonderful memories to your guests and a great story to tell. I can’t remember how many times I’ve had people come up to me and tell me how they saw me perform several years ago and are still trying to figure how I did a magic trick, or how the balloons they received were the first balloons they have had in several decades. And it’s those kinds of story-telling memory-making moments that I want to make sure all my clients get to provide to their guests.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
When I was younger I was introduced to what would become my favourite book series, a novel called Fablehaven by Brandon Mull. In the book there is a magical world that exists all around our world, one only needs to have their eyes opened up to be able to see that a butterfly is actually a fairy, or a goat is a satyr, etc. And growing up reading this series it showed me the possibility that whether we see it or not, there is magic all around us if we choose to believe in it.
And that is what shaped my art form and my business. Being open to untapped potential and seeing what others cannot. Knowing that I can blow a square bubble, or borrow objects from a stranger and do something magical with them before returning it. Sharing that possibility that the mundane can be transformed into the magical with others has not only helped me, but I like to believe that it also brings a little more magic into the everyday lives of those I interact with.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
When it comes to performing, especially magic, there is no better teacher than failure. One hundred successful shows is great, but two or three failed shows have taught me more than all one hundred successes combined. It has showed me harsh truths, new perspectives, and unforgettable lessons in the art of performing. failure is the best teacher on the road to success. And as awkward as a failure of a show can be, I wouldn’t give up that learning experience for anything.
It has helped me learn how to problem solve on the spot, taught me the art of improv, how to fool-proof any routine I do, and taught me that sometimes its ok to simply fail. the world goes on and tomorrow will be a new chance to try and succeed.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
Authenticity and consistency in being one’s self. Which is interesting considering that lots of people view magicians as liars and tricksters. Yet authenticity is the thing that is most important when performing magic for someone. The magician says “I’m going to trick you” and the audience says “we want to be tricked” and it is only in this non-verbal agreement where the audience suspends their disbelief and the magician carefully directs their attention that a moment of magic is able to occur. And in the end it doesn’t matter what factually happened to make the trick work, because in the minds of the audience they saw what they saw, and experienced magic in their life. And at the end of the performance I can honestly say that what they saw never actually happened. And it’s in the honesty of me telling the truth that the audience then gets the opportunity to say “I don’t believe you” and it’s in that very moment that they get the option of whether or not to believe in magic.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. How do you know when you’re out of your depth?
I know I’m out of my depth when I have to let go of all control. Being a performer (specifically a circus performer) so often we control everything. We pick what our routines will look like, we pick our wardrobe, decide the music, choreograph ourselves, advertise, set up, perform, take down, etc. All of those decisions we make ourselves as individual performers. and there is so much resistance when it come to asking for help from others. There are times when I feel like I should be able to do it all. And if I can’t, I’m a failure.
But then there are the days when my loving partner James will stand beside me and help me carry the weight of whatever I am trying to carry alone. He gives me perspective on my situation and helps me let go of needing total control. He has been my rock and is the reason I am able to be a full time performer. I’m not sure where I’d be without his love and support.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://inflatable-magic.com
- Instagram: @inflatable_magic_&_more
Image Credits
Dustin MacMillan
James Bellamy
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
