Daily Inspiration: Meet Brenden Trojan

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brenden Trojan

Hi Brenden, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started learning magic very early on in life and I was always fond of not only the mystery behind it, but the joy, wonder, and excitement it brought to everyone who witnessed it. Magic was my way of creating relationships with other people. Since I was homeschooled up until high school, the best way I knew how to make friends was to show them a magic trick. So jumping into high school was when it really started to take off. I remember getting my first paid gig which was for a kids birthday party where the kids took a train to a little park to see me perform a magic show! It was a good show, but I learned so much from that first experience. After that, I kept practicing and getting more and more shows. I performed for different school events, birthday parties, and even performed for some company parties like Motorola…As a senior in high school! Crazy!

Moving forward, I ended up going to Hope College in Holland, MI for a Major in Dance because I knew I wanted to perform just not entirely sure in what shape that took. Was I gonna perform magic, choreograph, teach, dance, act, etc. There was too much on my mind! I was still performing magic shows and honing my craft, but not exactly sure if magic was my route or if dance was at the time. Obviously, the moment I got to college we were sent home due to COVID-19 and all my shows were cancelled, but out of that some great things happened. The first great thing was time. I had the time to practice and the time to tell myself, “If I am going to do this, how are we going to accomplish this dream?” We always hear that artists never make it and I wanted to make sure I was the one that did. So during COVID-19, not only did I create better shows, but I reached out to other professionals in the field and picked their brains on how they did it. I was definitely a workaholic during
College, but I wanted to succeed.

Right after graduating College, I was accepted into a professional dance company in Columbus, OH which I don’t think would have happened if it wasn’t for magic. I was down in Columbus for a magic convention, again reaching out to other professionals about how to succeed, at the exact same point, my dance professor said, “Hey you should try out for this company they are in Columbus if you are ever there.” Turns out the moment he sent me that message, I just got into Columbus and the Director of the company had a moment to chat before he left for a flight. Shortly after that meeting, I was accepted into his dance company and moved to Columbus, OH straight out of College.

I performed and choreographed with Whirlwind Dance Company from August 2023-April 2024 and after that short time, it was time to move on. Since I grew up in Barrington, Illinois, went to College in Holland, Michigan, and now moved to Columbus Ohio, the magic side was growing exponentially. I knew eventually I’d have to pick dance or magic, but never thought it would be so soon. Every single week I was performing shows in Ohio or traveling to Illinois or a connecting state like Wisconsin, Indiana or Michigan. So it was time to make magic the sole focus of my life. As of this year, 2024, I am officially a full-time magician and making a living out of it. So I guess I can say younger me accomplished his initial dream, but there are still more goals and dreams to catch!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I wish it was a smooth road, but at the same time the struggles have made me who I am today. The way that I perform my magic and how I connect with people has to with the ups and the downs life has brought. The bullying in high school, the constant rejections, all the many people who told me you’d never make it or be good enough has just given me more passion to make it. I want to be the person that shows you that anything is possible, that you can overcome your challenges, and that all those many no’s don’t even compare to that one yes. At the end of the day, If I can make one person smile, even just one person have a better day by seeing my magic, then that is good enough for me.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a magician/mentalist. So you can think of sleight of hand tricks with cards and coins as well as thinking of a thought and me plucking it from your mind, but it is also much more than that. I want to give you and your guests an experience that you feel a part of. That you actually feel like you are the ones doing the magic. Many times when we go to a show or a concert we just don’t feel involved. Almost as if we are still watching TV at home. I want everyone who watches my show to be able to walk away with a memory that is exclusive to them, because they have a special moment alone in that show.

I’d say my magic is unique due to its variety and its spontaneity. It is like watching a comedian do crowd work as my magic has the same time of flow, can change due to the need for audience interaction, and also adds comedy throughout it. It is also ever-changing as some shows have more mental effects, cards, coins, Rubik’s cubes, swords, levitations, party poppers, dice, and so much more. At the end of it all, my job is not to show you how awesome I am, even though I am amazing, but to make sure you have a fantastic time. So if your crowd likes mind-reading more then let’s skip the sleight of hand card magic and blow some minds!

Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
There are so many, but getting my first bird has to be it. His name was Blizzard and he was a parakeet. Out of all the baby birds at the bird store that I held, he was the only one that just snuggled in my hand. Truly one of the best memories getting him and raising that bird. (He never let me use him for magic 🙂

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.brendentrojan.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brendentrojan/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrendenTrojann/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCey7mYb4UXla-lMzqnrUBvw
• Other: https://g.co/kgs/38rvC1s