Name: Jonathan Bayme
Location: Charleston, SC
Vitals:
Age: 21
CEO, theory11™
Years In Magic: 15
Jonathan Bayme's Official Site
Q&A:
Q: What got you into magic?
A: The first magic I was ever exposed to was David Copperfield; the early nineties on his Dreams and Nightmares tour. I was 6 or 7. I was blown away. I couldn't shake the feeling; I was hooked on that feeling I got when I left that theater-- I wanted more. I started learning as much as possible. I started reading anything I could get my hands on. Thirteen years later, I still live for that feeling, and the primary objective of theory11 is to spread that feeling to others-- and allow others to share in it.
Q: What is theory11?
A: Theory11 is, above all else, an alliance. Theory11 started as a group of eleven of magic's most innovative performers, creators, and innovators, all united in one place, for one purpose. The goal of this site is to push the envelope within the magic industry. To take things up to the next level. What I find most revolutionary about theory11 is the spectrum of creators we work with. Guys that span the spectrum all the way from Wayne Houchin to Lee Asher to Dan and Dave Buck, all exclusive in one place. Each member brings their own ideas and perspective to the group; each artist is a different element that, when you add them all together, composes theory11. Everyone has their own styles and areas of expertise, but that's the beauty of it. We work together for one primary objective-- to focus on quality, not quantity.
Q: You've worked with some of the top names in magic. Tell us some dirty secrets.
A: Wayne Houchin likes weird breakfast food that smells like a mix of butter biscuits and dog vomit. Chris Kenner's car CD player has more hardcore rap CD's in it than 50 Cent's iPod. Daniel Garcia likes bad movies like Open Water. Lee Asher accidentally ordered $400 Foie Gras at a restaurant in Vegas last month. Aaron Fisher jokingly discussed originally naming PANIC the "Fishee Squishee." Waking Dana Hocking up before 11am, even with the offer of riding Dune Buggies in the desert, is a sure way to see the fury of Satan. Dan White is seriously like 16 feet tall. Is that enough secrets? By the way, almost all of these were true.
Q: What do you see as wrong with the industry today?
A: The magic industry is historically extremely segmented. I think we need to work together. That's what theory11 represents. Magic is a niche art form, and as such, to take it to the next level, to keep magic evolving for the better, we need to focus on working together across all levels to keep magic on the cutting edge, topical, unique, and current. This is not to say that magic should be a commercial artform-- there's a way to be everywhere and nowhere at once. I think that as an industry, if we continue to push hard for evolution, magic will continue to strengthen as it has done in recent years. theory11 exists to champion that cause; to keep a focus on quality, to keep the community in mind, and to work together. And, above all else, we have to respect all of those that respect the art, and have fun with it.
Q: Who are your greatest influences within the magic community?
A: I've very fortunate to be able to work with people that I admire, respect, and have a great time with. I've known Wayne Houchin and Dana Hocking for about 3 to 4 years now; these are two of my best friends, and to be able to work alongside them is simply a gift. Our focus is entirely on pumping out great products and having a great time doing it. We don't take ourselves too seriously, but we take our work extremely seriously. Chris Kenner has been my best friend and closest confidant for as far back as I can remember. The first time I met Chris was after a Copperfield show in Charleston, SC when was 13. BJ Bueno, our marketing director at theory11, is one of my greatest mentors and a friend that I could not hold in higher regard.
One of the greatest ingredients within theory11 is the team; we've all known eachother for years and years; we know what eachother is thinking without asking; and we have a damn good time.
