Who Is This Guy?

If you’ve looked at the list of instructors here on Sleight School and you’re thinking, “I’ve heard of all of these legends…and then there’s this random guy Mike Williams”…you’re not alone, I had the same thought.

Being invited into a space like this feels incredibly special.

There’s something surreal about growing up obsessed with magic and then one day realizing you’re working alongside the very people who inspired you in the first place. It’s kind of trippy.

But then again, isn’t magic supposed to be trippy? If you’ve been in magic for any length of time, you soon discover there’s more to magic than just trippy tricks. It’s expression, comedy, psychology, surprises and connection. It’s this strange little art form that consistently brings audiences together and, not only that, the magic community continues to be one of the most welcoming groups of people you can find in this corner of the entertainment universe. And for most of my life, I’ve been a student and participant in this crazy magic world.

Like many magicians, I learned from books, late-night sessions, grainy VHS tapes and DVDs I would put on and fall asleep to every night. I was also lucky enough to have mentors that completely changed the way I thought about magic and performance forever.

Card tricks are definitely my love language. But what excites me most isn’t just teaching moves or methods, it’s helping people discover their voice in magic. Because the “secret” isn’t the real secret to magic. The real secret lives in presentation, personality and perspective. Two magicians can perform the exact same trick and create completely different experiences for their audiences and I love to brainstorm different ways to do common tricks.

In my tutoring sessions, I’m open to exploring just about anything, from technique and sleights to performance philosophy such as audience management, scripting and character. 

Honestly, I’m just thrilled to be part of a classroom filled with so many magicians I admire. Some of the people involved are genuine heroes of mine. Professional performers whose work shaped the way I think about magic as entertainment. To now be working and learning alongside them while also contributing my own experiences is exciting!

Magic has given me so much over the years, it’s literally given me a life I dreamed of as a kid. Friendships, opportunities, unforgettable experiences and countless moments of laughter and astonishment. I’m thrilled to have a chance to help pass some of what I’ve learned along to you.

Whether you’re just starting your journey in magic or you’ve been carrying cards in your pocket for decades, I hope this Sleight School Classroom becomes the kind of place that inspires you the way my magic mentors inspired me when I first started.

So break open those card boxes and limber up those fingers and let’s do some magic!

Sleight School is an online community for magicians at every level. Browse free tutorials, connect with instructors, and start learning at sleightschool.com.