Bill Wisch

Bill Wisch

Owner of Wisch-Craft Productions

Greater New York City Area

Current
  • Owner at Wisch-Craft Productions
Past
  • Sales Manager at MInolta Business Systems
  • Motivational Entertainer at Wisch-Craft Productions
  • Musician at U.S. Navy Band
Education
  • Slydini Studio of Magic
  • U.S. Navy School of Music
  • Berklee College of Music
  • Saint John's University
Connections
26 connections
Industry
Entertainment
Websites

Bill Wisch’s Summary

Professional, sleight of hand artist/magician/lecturer/teacher/inventor/manufacturer, from 1971 to present.

Tony Slydini's protege.

In 1973, began studying with Slydini in New York City. Slydini is one of the two most influential, pure sleight of hand experts and teachers of general magic in the 20th century.

In 1976 Slydini asked Bill to represent him by introducing, demonstrating and marketing his long awaited, two-volume, book set, "THE BEST OF SLYDINI AND MORE", written by Karl Fulves. Slydini wrote a personal letter to all magic societies and associations in North America, sponsoring Bill to take his place. Bill lectured Slydini's methods and techniques, as well as his own, to thousands of magicians in 74 cities across the US and Canada. Bill Wisch is the only student Slydini ever sponsored to lecture his magic.

In 1978, Bill went on a second national tour introducing and demonstrating Slydini's final, two volume companion book set, "THE MAGICAL WORLD OF SLYDINI".

Each tour was a resounding success and established Bill as a major performer, inventor, contributor and influence on the world magic scene. Since then Bill has presented over 400 lectures to his peers with his video's, books, articles and theories about sleight of hand being so innovative that literally thousands of magicians around the world have adapted and adopted them.

Bill Wisch’s Specialties:

Full-time, professional sleight of hand artist since 1975, specializing in a body of work that is 95% original.

Creator of numerous sleights and techniques designed to make learning and performing difficult sleight of hand magic easier and more efficient.

In 1979, in conjunction with Slydini, developed "Timing Techniques", a complete timing system designed to assist with instruction and practice of sleight of hand artistry.


Bill Wisch’s Experience

  • Owner

    Wisch-Craft Productions

    (Entertainment industry)

    1975Present (34 years )

    Magical performances, lectures, products and personalized instruction in:
    ---standard and original, sleight of hand skills
    ---the magic of Slydini
    ---the art of magic in general
    ---the art of using showmanship for more effective presentations and exhibits, regardless of product or service.

  • Sales Manager

    MInolta Business Systems

    (Business Supplies and Equipment industry)

    19851987 (2 years )

    A past client, MInolta, offered an opportunity to test his theories concerning "showmanship" in the field. Accepted an entry level, sales position and in eighteen months was a Branch Sales Manager, increasing sales volume by 36%, representing the highest reported company increase.

  • Motivational Entertainer

    Wisch-Craft Productions

    (Entertainment industry)

    19801985 (5 years )

    A recognized pioneer in the study of showmanship. Spent three years researching the careers of P.T.Barnum, George M. Cohan, Mohammed Ali and Harry Houdini to discover what made them such great showmen. Developed and applied their common success principles into a one-man show, "The Magic Word is Showmanship", presented throughout the 1980's to sales and marketing divisions of many Fortune 500 companies, including; IBM, Pfizer, M&M Mars, Minolta, Minwax, Delta and Johnson & Johnson.

    Contributing writer about showmanship for "Networking Times Magazine".

  • Musician

    U.S. Navy Band

    (Entertainment industry)

    June 1967March 1971 (3 years 10 months)

    Performed as a drummer and trumpet player throughout the US and Europe.


Bill Wisch’s Education

  • Slydini Studio of Magic

    Sleight of hand pupil 19731980

  • U.S. Navy School of Music

    Percussion 19671968

  • Berklee College of Music

    Music Education 19661967

    Studied jazz percussion with Alan Dawson. Played gigs in and around the greater Boston area until drafted by US Navy.

    Activities and Societies:
    Winner, Down Beat Magazine Scholarship
  • Saint John's University

    Liberal Arts 19651966


Additional Information

Bill Wisch’s Websites:

Bill Wisch’s Interests:

Sleight of hand, magical invention, Bible study, reading, music, movies, baseball.

Bill Wisch’s Groups:

Society of American Magicians-member since 1973
International Brotherhood of magicians-member since 1971
Co-creator (2005) and co-producer of "Metro-Magic V.I.P. Close-up Magic Convention"
Co-founder (1997) and co-producer of "MagicSchool.com", the world's largest, instructional web-site for magicians and the first and foremost, internet magic school, with accomplished students in more than 40 countries.

  •    Electronic Grymoire

Bill Wisch’s Honors:

1981 "Star of Magic Award" for Close-Up Magic --- Magic Towne House, NYC

The NEMCON (New England Magician's Conference) XVI honoree in 1997 --- "for his contributions to the art of magic"

International Brotherhood of Magicians, Ring 239, Springfield, Illinois - Honorary life member.


Bill Wisch’s Contact Settings

Interested In:

  • consulting offers
  • new ventures
  • expertise requests
  • business deals
  • reference requests
  • getting back in touch

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