About St Louis Magician Jeff Lefton
I don’t generally like to talk about myself. But that’s what you’re supposed to do on about pages, so here we go! I have included some stories I think you’ll find amusing about all the coins I’ve lost practicing, my rocky start as a St Louis magician, etc.
The rest of the site is about more important things—your event and how we can help you make it optimally successful.
The Press page has various news clippings if you want to see what the media has said about my entertainment.
Magical Highlights
I am fortunate to have performed:
In Hollywood at The Magic Castle…
In Las Vegas…
An entire three-month national tour for General Motors…
A St. Louis-Based Comedy Magician
I am a Comedy Magician based in St. Louis, Missouri. I have performed at many different kinds of events, including:
- corporate meetings
- banquets
- open houses
- cocktail parties
- holiday parties
- adult birthday parties
- And many more
I have performed magic in most of the 50 states and several countries. I also perform locally throughout MO and IL.
My Philosophy: Entertainment First
My performing philosophy is that first and foremost, my goal is to entertain. Comedy and audience interaction are prevalent throughout my magic. I do strive to perform strong magic that will wow the crowd. I’ve practiced my sleight of hand for decades. One funny story… I’ve lost countless quarters and half dollars while in movie theaters practicing various techniques!
My college roommate used to say that instead of rooming with me, he should have been the one who came after me. He would have found a small fortune in coins under the bed, in the floor vents, and in other places.
If you want a magician who is going to entertain your guests, get them laughing, having fun, and amazed with a childlike sense of wonder—I’d love to discuss your event with you.
Brief Magical Bio
Presto the Magician
My dad traveled a lot for work when I was growing up. One week, he was working in New York, and he ran into W. Clement Stone (known for the power of positive thinking) in the hotel gift shop. Stone told my dad that every kid should have a magic set. There was one for sale in the shop, so my dad brought it home for me.
I was 8 years old, and I loved it! Most kids eventually lose interest at some point. Not me! I still love entertaining people with magic today.
I started performing at kids’ birthday parties when I was 12. My mom would drive me around on weekends. “Presto the Magician” was my magic name.
My career as a St Louis magician had a rocky start. At my first paid show (I was paid $6), I was letting the kids make their own goodie bags from the prizes I provided. The children were supposed to get 8 prizes each. But one child filled his bag so full that he could hardly lift it!
Fortunately, an observant parent pointed this out. Otherwise, I’d have been cleaned out right from the start!
Later Years
Things improved after that. I performed magic through high school and college. When I graduated, I became a full-time magician, focusing on trade shows and corporate events. I went back to school and obtained my Masters in Business, mostly to learn about the ‘business’ part of the entertainment business.
In 2005 I started Abra-Kid-Abra. We taught magic to kids in after-school classes and summer camps. I was shy as a child and bullied in middle school. Magic helped me come out of my shell. I wanted to teach magic to children to help them develop their self-confidence. We wound up teaching kids in over 100 schools and camps. In 2018, I sold Abra-Kid-Abra to our general manager, Dan Davis.
Today my main focus in magic is performing for corporate events, adult parties, and at high school after prom and project graduation parties. I still enjoy performing for children and do it occasionally when I can.
Magicians in St Louis
St. Louis and Magic have a rich history together. Harry Blackstone would often start his national tours at the American Theater in downtown St. Louis. Bud Dietrich was a legendary trade show magician who was my mentor and got me into doing auto shows years ago.
Brother John Hamman, one of the greatest card magicians in the world, lived in St. Louis. I was fortunate to take some lessons from him, and still do some of the tricks he taught me today.
If you are searching for magicians in St Louis, I can help carry on this great tradition and help you have a wonderful event!
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