Comedy, theater, and sleight of hand came together on campus as the Student Activities Board (SAB) welcomed comedian and magician Michael Misko for a night of laughs, illusions, and life lessons.
Misko, who hails from Pittsburgh, introduced himself to students as both a magician and a performer who has spent much of his life in show business. He recalled getting his start in magic at the young age of six.
“The story I tell in my show about the egg is mostly true, right up until the egg itself didn’t really happen,” he said with a smile.
From that early fascination with tricks, Misko’s passion led him into theater, where he eventually earned a degree in musical theater performance and toured the country as an actor and director.
His career took a pivotal turn in 2015 when Broadway composer Stephen Schwartz, known for Wicked, partnered with Princess Cruises to create a musical titled Magic to Do. The role required a performer with equal parts magic skill and musical theater experience. Misko was cast as the original magician, appearing on the cast album and cementing his shift to full-time magic performance. Since then, he has built a career performing at comedy clubs, colleges, corporate events, theaters, and on cruise ships.
Speaking with PennWest students, Misko emphasized that the most important step for anyone interested in magic or show business in general is simply to perform.
“You can practice magic in front of a mirror or a camera all you want, but the only way to really improve is by performing in front of people,” he explained. “Audiences won’t lie to you. At first, you’ll probably bomb, but that’s how you learn. The only way to get better is to put yourself out there.”
Misko noted that different audiences bring different challenges. College crowds, he explained, can be tougher because they are already a close-knit group while the performer is an outsider. During his show, he worked to connect with students by interacting directly with the audience, using humor and spontaneity to create shared moments.
Beyond performance, Misko stressed the value of community for students interested in magic. He encouraged aspiring magicians to form supportive groups where they can exchange constructive feedback, read books, and connect with creators instead of relying solely on online videos.
“The goal should be camaraderie and growth,” Misko said. “And if you just want to hang out and talk about magic or not talk about magic, that’s fine too. What matters is building a supportive group of peers.”
As the evening came to a close, Misko left students with a simple message: “You have to be willing to fail before you can succeed. Get on stage, find your people, and keep going.”
The SAB event brought both entertainment and insight, showing students that magic is more than tricks; it’s about connection, resilience, and the courage to keep trying.
