It’s all about secrets. Magician Zak Mirz tells one or two as we explore his past, present and future. Get ready to find the rabbit in this Beyond the Mic conversation.
Welcome Zak:
We’re joined on the Starline by a renowned stage magician. The Dallas Observer’s Magician of the Year”. You’ve seen him on Penn & Teller: Fool Us and magical advisor for David Blaine and on “Magic Caught on Camera” coming to a town near you. We welcome Zak Mirz.
Zak, let’s go Beyond the Mic. You dedicate your performances to your late father. He was murdered outside the Arlington restaurant he owned. Why was your dad so important to you?
Your dad Yousef was an Iranian native who came over during the revolution in the 1970’s. Your mom Marzia came to America from Afghanistan fleeing the Soviet-Afghan war in the early 1980’s. This country became safe haven for your parents.
As a Mustang at Grapevine High School you found magic. It was the one thing you found you were good at. What career would you have tried if it wasn’t for magic?
How has mentoring other young magicians, like you were mentored growing up, makes you feel?
The Rockin’ 8:
It’s time for the Rockin’ 8, 8 random questions; answer with the first thing that comes to your mind. There is no Pressure.
1. Your brother Frank is a magician with the law, you with a deck of cards. Which one does mom favor more?
2. In a couple of weeks your daughter will be one year old. What’s the best thing about being a girl dad?
3. You play a lot of chess. What’s your favorite opening?
4. Which magician amazed you growing up?
5. How many thin mints have you destroyed in one session?
6. Which Dallas based sports team will win a championship next?
7. How many times have you seen Hamilton?
8. Have you ever visited the Magic Castle?
The Back Half:
Zak, you’ve done corporate, church, college, your own tour, fooled Penn and Teller and still honing your craft. You want to leave your audiences amazed each time. Where do you get your passion for your art?
Why is your wife Jordyn so amazing and how does she help you on a daily basis?
Where is your best tour stop where you fell in love with?
How has your magic evolved from the beginning to now?
Failure
Why has your failures made you stronger?
What’s your failure rate 1 / 2000 1/1000? I feel as creative people we are harder on ourselves. Whether it be missing an opportunity for a follow up question for me or a slight of hand mistake on you. Why are you so hard on yourself?
Who is the magic inventor we should thank for some of the best routines they will never truly get credit for?
You even went into a vintage shop looking for things for magic props. You’re always looking for stuff that could be turned into a magic trick.
What did it mean to you when you taped your first magic special?
“The features you dislike about yourself are usually the things that people love most about you.” – What do you dislike the most about yourself?
Giving Back:
You are about helping churches, ending sex trafficking, among various other charities. Why is giving back important to you?
What is your biggest dream professionally?
How has your priorities changed from first getting married to now being a dad for your families future to your goal of 75 small town shows?
You talked about your brother “The Lawyer”. What’s the one gift you want to give your mother that your brother can’t?
Magic during the pandemic had to be difficult for you, how did virtual shows excite and bore you?
You say everyone has one big secret.
“Magic lets me share my stories. It’s stories, that open up our imaginations. It’s imagination, that sparks curiosity. It’s curiosity that takes us on a journey to find new perspective.”
What’s the one story you haven’t told before that you could share?
One Big Question:
“I believe that every single person has a gift, and when you give it into the world, you become a light in a dark place” – Other than magic, what is your gift and what would your father say if he say you today?
Where can people find you online?
The Wrap:
He plays the Indian opening, amazed by David Blaine, and thinks mom favors his brother more. Check out Zak Mirz when he comes to a town near you. Zak, thanks for taking the time to talk with us today.
And that my friends is Beyond the Mic.
Check out Zak at his website here.
Check out other Beyond the Mic conversations with magicians here.
