A senior from Long Island is set to chase his dream of becoming a top magician. He’ll be attending Top Gun illusion school in California and the prestigious Magic Castle in Los Angeles.
“If you don’t do that, you can’t go,” said Jacob Goetz of Syosset High School, referring to the exclusive nature of the Castle’s program, where many of the world’s greatest magicians gather.
“You need a special invitation or some kind of connection to get into the show,” he added.
After auditioning in late 2025, Goetz showed the judges he had what it takes and secured a spot in the Performance Center’s Junior Society, which showcases the best young talent globally.
“I think it has to be between 100 and 300 worldwide,” he noted, mentioning participants from places like Spain and Costa Rica.
stack the deck
At just 18, Goetz didn’t have a clear path to this level of achievement. It started with sheer passion and dedication.
His love for magic ignited at age 7, when he finally played with a forgotten set his family had gifted him.
“For about three or four years, I practiced for at least an hour each day,” he recalled.
His obsession grew, mastering sleight-of-hand and performing tricks that seemed nearly impossible. It became a significant part of his life.
Goetz became a frequent participant at Magic Camp on Long Island and began performing at age 16, taking his skills to various venues.
He approached nearly every restaurant in bustling Huntington, detailing his ambitions to perform there.
“I knocked on about 32 doors,” he said, sharing his sales pitch experience for getting gigs.
Finally, one venue agreed to give him a chance, but it closed shortly after he began performing.
However, luck intervened. After securing a gig, he bumped into another magician who later became his agent, referring him to jobs he couldn’t take.
Now, as he wraps up his senior year, Goetz balances performances every couple of weeks, covering a range of events from corporate gatherings to children’s parties.
As he lays out college plans, he tests new routines on his girlfriend, Alyssa, friends, and some teachers.
In addition to the Magic Castle program, Goetz aims to study marketing, business, and philosophy in college, as he sees connections to his magic career.
He believes that magicians already embed complexity into their acts.
During his audition for Magic Castle, Goetz showcased a trick he named “Schrödinger’s stack of cards,” where he plays with the notion of dual existence.
In the weeks leading up to his advanced training in Los Angeles, he remains busy performing regularly. He’s optimistic about his magical future.
“Having been around professionals for the past three years, I think there’s a solid chance I can make a living doing this,” he reflected. “Things are looking good.”
