Local Magician Returns from Las Vegas

Right to Left: Jeff McBride, Richard Nakata and Eugene Burger

Where do magicians go to gain new insight into their craft?

For Richard Nakata, a local City of Centennial magician, traveling to Las Vegas to hone his magical skills with Master Magicians, Jeff McBride and Eugene Burger at their unique seminar for magicians, Master Class.

“It was one of the greatest magical experiences in my life,” says Rich. “Jeff and Eugene had a way of making you feel very comfortable about who you are, finding your creative self and helping renew your magical energy.

Master Class is also unique in that the class size is limited to only ten to twelve students. This allows fellow magicians to meet with each other in a relaxed environment to share their ideas and secrets. There were two magicians who traveled all the way from Manchester, England and Belfast, Ireland to attend the class.”

A Unique Three-Day Experience

Master Class is a unique three-day experience presented by Las Vegas magician Jeff McBride and his close friend and mentor, Chicago magician Eugene Burger. Jeff McBride was named Magician of the Year by the Magic Castle in Los Angeles, and is recognized as one of the foremost innovators in contemporary magic. Eugene Burger has been a two-time winner for “The Close-Up Magician of the Year” and “Lecturer of the Year” by the Academy of Magical Arts in Hollywood, California.

The class is presented at Jeff McBride’s private home theater and everyone is allowed to present a ten minute piece of magic that is video taped and critiqued by the “Masters”.

After my presentation, Jeff and Eugene gave their critical but honest critiques about the performance.

“I was really nervous performing in front of two really great magicians that I respect and admire, and I made mistakes. I presented a work in progress, about a mysterious box that I had bought in a strange curiosity shop. Jeff and Eugene gave me their utmost encouragement, attention and honesty. I find that you learn more from your mistakes, especially in this type of setting. I have taken their ideas and incorporated them into a much better piece, which is exactly why I went to Master Class.”

Asked if Rich would go again, “In a heartbeat, I learned a lot and it was a great experience!”