Bombed a Trick in Front of 200 People. Here's What Happened Next.

A couple of weeks ago, I was performing at a welcome night event for an organization in Springfield, Illinois. Packed ballroom. About 200 people. Lights, laughter, the whole thing.

Everything was going smoothly. Until it wasn’t.

Midway through the show, I brought someone up on stage for a mind-reading routine. It’s one I’ve done hundreds of times. I know the timing. I know the beats. I know exactly how it should land.

Except this time... it didn’t.

I asked the volunteer to think of a word. I went through the motions, built up the suspense, and confidently revealed what I believed was their word.
Wrong.

Not just a little wrong. Not “oh that was close” wrong.
Nope. Swing and a miss.

Okay. No big deal. I made a joke, got a laugh, and tried again, different method, different angle.
Missed. Again.

That moment… when you're standing in front of a room full of people and the thing that's supposed to blow minds just doesn’t? That’s the test. Not of the trick. Of the performer.

For half a second, the volunteer onstage looked a bit worried, like HE messed up the trick. But my calm and lack of panic immediately set him at ease.

I looked at the volunteer, smiled, and said, “Alright. We’re switching it up.”
I shifted gears into a routine I’ve developed as a fallback: something visual, impossible, and bulletproof. Within seconds, I had the entire room on the edge of their seats. The volunteer’s reaction was priceless. The finale hit hard. I got that big, explosive moment, just not the one I originally planned.

That’s the reality of live entertainment.

Not everything goes perfectly. But you don’t book a magician hoping everything goes perfectly. You book someone who knows how to roll with it, someone who makes the moment work even when it breaks.

That night, I didn’t just salvage the show. I made it better. Because the audience got to see something real:

The tension of failure
The thrill of recovery
The authenticity of a performer adapting in the moment

And if you’re planning a big event, whether it’s a corporate celebration, a gala, or a fundraiser, that’s what you want. Not someone reading from a script, but someone who knows how to respond when the unexpected hits.

Someone who’s prepared for everything that isn’t in the script.

If you're planning an event in Springfield or anywhere nearby…

Whether you're looking for a magician in Springfield, Illinois or just someone who won’t panic when things get weird, I’ve got you.

🔗 Looking for a magician in Springfield, IL? Learn more about my corporate magic offerings.
🔗 Want a show that blends comedy, mind-reading, and high-stakes charm?

Thanks for reading — and if you ever find yourself on stage with me and the first trick goes sideways, just know...
The next one’s going to blow your mind.

—Josh

Bombed a Trick in Front of 200 People. Here's What Happened Next.