Daryl Hurst’s Magic Studio

Daryl Hurst’s Magic Studio Daryl Hurst’s Hometown Magic is based on his years as a local magician. Daryl’s original career and lifelong passion is the creation of wonder.

Daryl’s story and studio help guide others to success in their own pursuit of magic in their local community. Once Upon a Magic Show, The Real-Life Tale of a Hometown Magician is the inspiring, funny, sometimes poignant story of how a self-styled “ordinary Joe” from Ann Arbor, Michigan grew up to become an accomplished “Magic Man,” who, for decades, brought joy and amazement to audiences of all ag

es. Daryl’s story provides insights and inspiration to those who connect to his entrepreneurial and artistic spirit, as well as those who aspire to follow his lead. A Hometown Magician may be an everyday liberal arts student, a magic hobbyist or even a semi-professional who seeks to perform primarily in their local community, for various occasions, and in a wide variety of settings and venues. Practical Entertainment refers to magic routines and other entertainment that can be performed in a variety of formal and informal venues without significant restrictions, giving professional results with simple props and minimal staging. Coaching by a qualified mentor goes beyond the beginner’s magic kit and the curious world of magic shops, books, and clubs to provide the kind of guidance, insight and encouragement missing in self-study. Daryl focuses on storytelling, playfulness, artistry, and education, the fundamentals of creating wonder that elevate magic as a performance art. Daryl Hurst Daryl is an Ann Arbor ‘townie’ and a 1975 Honors graduate from the University of Michigan in Speech Communication. Daryl’s 25 years as an entertainer, entrepreneur and educator, combined with his subsequent careers as a Certified Balloon Artist™ and non profit administrator, have given him a broad liberal arts background to leverage as he shares his unique story and coaches his studio patrons.

The Magic Coloring Book was an enchanting favorite in my repertoire. A guide to my popular handling of this routine is n...
05/03/2026

The Magic Coloring Book was an enchanting favorite in my repertoire. A guide to my popular handling of this routine is now available on Lybrary.com. The manuscript includes full instructions for making your own custom coloring book prop.

A jumbo split deck paired with a short-lived cereal from the 1980s made for one of my favorite routines. Check it out on...
03/19/2026

A jumbo split deck paired with a short-lived cereal from the 1980s made for one of my favorite routines. Check it out on Lybrary.com.

My new Giveaway Magic guide and artwork downloads is now available!
03/16/2026

My new Giveaway Magic guide and artwork downloads is now available!

Giveaway Magic for the Hometown Magician is a collection of experience-driven ideas and advice along with ready-to-use artwork. Giveaway Magic can be physical items that you actually give away or various types of secrets or magical insights that you are willing to share. These come from magic 'lefto...

Shooting Card was one of my pet routines. A chosen card literally flies out of the deck when your volunteer shoots with ...
02/28/2026

Shooting Card was one of my pet routines. A chosen card literally flies out of the deck when your volunteer shoots with their ‘hand’ gun. The chosen card even has a burn hole in it! All homemade and easy to perform. Full instructions and script with plenty of photos. Just $6.

The story of Annie Oakley's legendary trick shooting in the Old West lays the foundation for a magical challenge with a selected card secured in the middle of a deck. With the audience providing the sound effects, the challenge is met when the helper's finger gun makes the chosen card fly out, compl...

Halfsies is one of my favorite routines and finally puts the Split Deck to good use. Easy to perform. Great fun for the ...
01/30/2026

Halfsies is one of my favorite routines and finally puts the Split Deck to good use. Easy to perform. Great fun for the audience.

After a brief breakfast survey with the audience, the magician brings out a box of a 'new' cereal called Halfsies. Excitedly pointing out the "Free Inside! Magic Card Trick" ad on the box front, a jumbo deck is pulled out. Well, actually, it's just half a deck, like everything in Halfsies land. A ha...

Have you read my memoir? Now available in softcover and digital download!
01/15/2026

Have you read my memoir? Now available in softcover and digital download!

The Real-Life Tale of a Hometown Magician A Memoir by Daryl Hurst

My latest classic routine is now available on Lybrary.com. Smushies is a fun sponge ball type of routine with the hilari...
01/12/2026

My latest classic routine is now available on Lybrary.com. Smushies is a fun sponge ball type of routine with the hilarious fun of flying snakes! This complete guide walks you through all the details. Get your copy today!

Smushies is one of my pet routines and original to me in many ways. A simple sponge ball routine and a series of magic wands combine to create fun and surprises as an onstage volunteer tries to fulfill every kid's dream of being a magician. A natural progression of more 'smushies' and larger wands s...

Check out all of my new pages: Hometown Magic, Daryl’s Story, Daryl’s Studio and Daryl’s Routines. Your home for hometow...
01/07/2026

Check out all of my new pages: Hometown Magic, Daryl’s Story, Daryl’s Studio and Daryl’s Routines. Your home for hometown magic!

01/01/2026

Happy New Year! So just what will 2026 mean for Daryl Hurst’s Magic Studio? For starters, a refined vision for Hometown Magic. Check out my website at www.onceuponamagicshow.com and follow along as we explore this niche in the new year!

Address

1901 Arlene Street
Ann Arbor, MI
48103

Telephone

+17342557219

Website

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