Today we’d like to introduce you to Paul DeVoe.
Hi Paul, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey into magic started when I was a kid. I remember watching magic specials on TV and being fascinated by the performers and how they could make the impossible seem possible. Then, when I was 8 years old, I received a magic set for Christmas. That magic set gave me the opportunity to start learning and practicing magic for myself, and I was hooked.
Over the years, that childhood fascination grew into a lifelong passion. I have now been performing magic and escape artistry for more than 20 years.
Along the way, I developed my own style and created Kobranis, the Lord of Illusion and Prince of Enchanted Chaos. Today, I perform throughout Michigan at everything from private parties and festivals to charity events, corporate events, and theatre shows.
What started with watching magic on television and receiving a magic set for Christmas eventually became a career and a character that I am incredibly proud of. My goal has always been to create moments that make people wonder, laugh, and believe in the impossible, even if just for a little while.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, it definitely has not always been a smooth road. Like anything worth pursuing, there have been plenty of challenges and setbacks along the way. There were times when finding opportunities to perform was difficult, and there were plenty of moments when I had to question whether I was on the right path.
One of the biggest challenges has been building Kobranis into more than just a magician performing tricks. I wanted to create a character, a style, and an experience that people would remember. That took years of practice, experimenting, learning from mistakes, and figuring out what worked and what did not.
There have been disappointments, shows that did not go as planned, and plenty of obstacles, but every one of those experiences taught me something. Looking back, I think those struggles helped shape me into the performer I am today.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a magician and escape artist, performing as Kobranis, the Lord of Illusion and Prince of Enchanted Chaos. I specialize in theatrical magic, illusions, escapes, audience participation, and creating an experience that feels like much more than simply watching someone perform tricks.
I perform at a wide variety of events, including private parties, weddings, corporate events, festivals, fairs, school assemblies, theatres, and charity events. I also incorporate a live rabbit into many of my shows, which is always a memorable part of the experience.
What I am most proud of is being able to take something I became fascinated with as a kid and turn it into something I have been doing for more than 20 years. I am especially proud of the charity shows I have been able to perform, because being able to use something I love to help people who are going through difficult times makes the performances even more meaningful.
What sets Kobranis apart is the character and atmosphere. I have created my own identity rather than trying to be just another magician. I bring a darker, theatrical, and sometimes mysterious style to my performances while still keeping them entertaining and family friendly. My goal is for people to not only remember the tricks, but to remember the experience and the feeling they had while watching the show.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I think the magic and live entertainment industry is going to become even more focused on experiences rather than simply watching a performance. People have so much entertainment available to them through their phones, television, and the internet, so I believe there will be an even greater appreciation for something people can experience together in person.
I also think social media will continue to have a huge impact on the industry. It gives performers the ability to reach people who may have never seen them perform before and allows us to share little pieces of what we do with a much larger audience.
Technology and artificial intelligence will also continue to change the entertainment world. I think they can be great tools for performers, but there is still something special about standing in front of a live audience and creating a moment that they can actually be part of. No technology can completely replace that human connection.
For me, I think the future of magic is about making the audience part of the experience. That has always been important to me as Kobranis. I do not want people to simply watch a magic show. I want them to laugh, participate, wonder, and leave thinking about what they just experienced long after the curtain closes.
Pricing:
- Birthday Party or Small Event $300.00 an Hour
- Office Party $300.00 an Hour
- Wedding $500.00 for 2 Hours
- Fair’s and Festival’s $600 Daily Rate
- Contact me for additional prices
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kobranis.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kobranis/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Paul.Kobranis.Magic
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/the-magic-of-kobranis-77122537a/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Magic.Of.Kobranis
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-magic-of-kobranis-battle-creek
