I recently caught up with David Shao, who’s been making quite a name for himself in the magic world. He’s the kind of performer who sticks in your memory – not just for his sleight of hand, but for the way he makes you laugh while your jaw drops. Over the past decade or so, Shao has worked his way through some pretty impressive venues, from the legendary Magic Castle in Hollywood to the thought-provoking stage of TEDxUCIrvine. What makes him stand out isn’t just technical skill – it’s the way he blends razor-sharp comedy with genuine wonder. Just last month at the Magic Castle, he had everyone from regular guests to Jaden Smith doubled over in laughter between gasps of amazement. There’s something refreshingly different about his approach that keeps audiences coming back for more.
Can you tell us about when and how you got started in magic?
I was very interested in magic when I was 9 years old. I saw Lu Chen (刘谦) performing on TV during the Chinese Spring Festival Gala and got hooked with magic. I didn’t start my magic journey until I was 15 when I joined a magic club in high school. I was very shy as a kid, and magic changed me completely. Even though I am still shy sometimes, magic has helped me to connect with people more easily.
What is the core value that drives you as both a magician and an artist?
To make people happy. I like to bring magic and share happiness with everyone. It doesn’t help with my career in terms of business, but it helps me to realize that I am lucky to do what I love, and sharing it with others allows me to see the impact of magic beyond entertainment. It keeps me grounded and reinforces why I fell in love with magic in the first place. At the end of the day, if I can make someone smile, even for a moment, then my magic has served a greater purpose.
How would you describe your style of magic, and how do you differentiate yourself from other magicians?
My style is very unique—I combine magic with dry humor. I have some early inspirations from Kyle Eschen, who was a magic castle junior magician member. I am more of a one liner—each line I say or each action I make would make the audience laugh. Some of the lines that I wrote don’t make sense and they are very silly. But they fit my character very well and people would laugh at them.
What role does storytelling play in your magic performances?
There is almost no storytelling in my magic performance because my show is more centered on the character. For example, one of my lines that I wrote was ‘when I was a child, I was a kid.’ So the show was more centered on how each line would make the audience laugh rather than telling a compelling story. And this is how I find myself different from other magicians. A lot of the magicians like to tell stories, like how magic inspired them and how it had changed them.
How do you balance your creative vision with the expectations of your audience?
I think the key is staying true to my style while remaining adaptable. My magic is built on dry humor, deadpan delivery, and unexpected surprises—those are non-negotiable parts of my creative identity. I always write new scripts surrounding this character. But at the same time, I recognize that different audiences have different expectations, and I adjust the way I present my magic to make sure it resonates with them.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a magician?
Sometimes I would mess up in a show, but I would always improvise to finish the magic, without letting the audience realize that I messed up. This happens all the time. There are a lot of times where the audience doesn’t follow my instructions so I have to control the room. I am always trying to overcome something—whether it’s the magic performance, or the business.
How has being involved in charitable events shaped your career?
I like to bring magic and share happiness with everyone. It doesn’t help with my career in terms of business, but it helps me to realize that I am lucky to do what I love, and sharing it with others allows me to see the impact of magic beyond entertainment. It keeps me grounded and reinforces why I fell in love with magic in the first place.
How do you see the future of magic evolving with technology, and where do you hope to take your craft next?
The world is changing, and magic is also changing. Magic has become more visual nowadays because of technology. AI has been a big topic in many industries, and a lot of AI tools have been developed for people to utilize. But for magic, I think it wouldn’t help much besides screenwriting. Magic is something that you feel in the moment, and AI will never be able to create that sensation. Even if a robot can perform magic, it is still a robot—it lacks the human presence, the spontaneity, and the emotional connection that make magic truly magical. For myself, I want to do a magic tour in the future.
Do you have any upcoming projects or performances that your fans should look out for?
One of the producers of America’s Got Talent contacted me. I submitted to AGT and if I can move on to the next step, I will be on the 20th season.
David Shao
Watching David work is a bit like seeing two shows at once – there’s the technical wizardry that leaves you wondering “how on earth did he do that?” and then there’s the comedian who seems to be having just as much fun as everyone else in the room. It’s this balance that’s earned him his reputation. While many performers in his field take themselves rather seriously, Shao has carved out his own space where wonder and laughter coexist perfectly.
Whether he’s performing for celebrity guests or bringing joy to charitable events, you get the sense that he’s exactly where he belongs. His possible appearance on America’s Got Talent could be the next big chapter in an already fascinating career story – though something tells me he’d approach that massive stage with the same authentic charm that’s gotten him this far.