Teen Magician Uses Illusions for a Good Cause

A lot of children have an uncle that teaches them to do a card trick or two, but in the case of Wyckoff resident and Ramapo student Anthony Ferrer, that uncle was a professional magician who sparked a life-long passion in the 4-year-old Anthony for entertaining people with his illusions.

Now 16, Anthony has gone on to perform in front of crowds in a variety of venues, including parties and charity events like Acts for Autism at Ramapo High School and Macy's Shop For a Cause. Anthony will be performing at two Macy's stores August 27: Preakness Mall in Wayne at 12:30 and Paramus Park Mall at 4 p.m.

"I love it. If I can help anybody, that's great," Anthony said.

While Anthony said he is glad to help out a cause with his magic, what he really enjoys is simply making people happy.

"It's not enough for me to please myself," Anthony said. "When I do a trick, it's not because I like it; it's because I know [the audience] will like it. And if they like it, and they smile, that's what I like."

Since his first show at age 9, Anthony has grown his repertoire of illusions to include big tricks with his four doves, and making people appear seemingly out of nowhere, but still keeps the basics in his routine, dealing with cards, coins and other classics. In more intimate settings than a stage show, Anthony is also a skilled balloon artist who can craft anything from a popular cartoon character to a life-size zebra.

Anthony has even performed for other professional magicians, members of a local chapter of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, who were surprised someone so young was already so advanced.

"It's very difficult to get up in front of other magicians that have years upon years of experience," Anthony's mother, Debby Ferrer, said.

Debby said that she is proud of her son because of both his hard work and his generosity in working for charitable causes. She keeps a binder full of news clips, fliers and letters thanking Anthony for performing.

"He's come such a long, long way. I couldn't be any prouder," she said.

While Anthony may make his magic seem easy, it actually takes hours of practice each day, along with extra preparation for any new tricks he wants to add, but he said it's worth it. Being only 16, Anthony does not have any specific plans for the future just yet. He said he wants to keep doing magic, but will be happy as long as he can work with children. Still, Anthony said he is optimistic about his possibilities in the world of magic.

"With magic, it's limitless," he said.