Medford resident Al Huth has props and will travel. He performs magic shows at birthday and retirement parties, school and church events, corporate functions, and fundraisers.

From shaping young minds to captivating audiences of all ages, former teacher turned magician Charles “Al” Huth broke free from the confines of the classroom to conjure up a spellbinding new career.

The Medford man promotes his act as a unique entertainment experience for birthday and retirement parties, school and church events, corporate functions and fundraisers.

“I consider myself a motivational magician,” said Huth, who bills himself as the Infinite Magician. “I customize shows to meet the intent of the event. I do not perform strolling magic. I prefer performing theme-based shows.”

The importance of motivation in his work springs from his teaching days when counseling was a big part of his job. With children especially, he sees magic as a way of inspiring them to consciously create their own lives by being creative and imaginative.

His inspiration on that topic comes from Albert Einstein, who famously said, “Knowledge is limited to all we know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand.”

After teaching American history and psychology during the final 12 years of his education career, he took advantage of a district financial incentive and retired.

“They could hire two new teachers for what they were paying me,” he said.

Huth utilizes cards, balloons, ropes, coins and other props, along with music, to entertain his audiences. He makes things appear and disappear, and enjoys employing mentalism themes and predictions in his show.

People of all ages appreciate his art, but some of his most memorable moments are the reactions of children.

“Seeing the gleam in their eyes with a sense of astonishment is my reward,” he said.

Huth recently performed at a birthday party for 10-year-old Garrett Guyette at the Rogue Valley Country Club. There were about a dozen children and an equal number of adults in attendance.

As part of the show, Huth brought young Guyette up front to participate in a trick.

“The party went amazingly!” his dad, Brian Guyette, said.

In the audiences of most magic shows, there is the occasional cynic. How does Huth handle that when it occurs?

“It depends on the nature of the skeptic,” he said. “I might invite them up and challenge them to see if they could do it better. Sometimes I thank the skeptic for their contribution and ask if they would like to go on the road and perform with me. Humor is always a good tool.”

Even kids can be doubters.

“At a birthday party, I performed for a girl who was quite open with her skepticism — until she could no longer hold it, and her jaw dropped wide open.”

Huth tries to keep his material fresh and up to date.

“For instance, I keep up with current events and I no longer refer to Kodak moments or chalkboards. And soon I may have to eliminate references to, or tricks that use, newspapers.”

He logs all performances, keeping notes on what works and what doesn’t, a practice that helps him decide what needs to be improved and what needs to be discontinued.

Huth believes audience participation is key to a good magic show. To that end, he might invite an individual to assist with a trick or engage audience members in mind reading or card tricks. He says it adds a sense of unpredictability to the act.

“All my performances are interactive,” he said. “It’s a great part of the show. And it’s both the challenge and satisfaction of performing with a live audience. No two shows are the same.”

Murphy’s Law is just as present in the magic business as in any other: “Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.” What does Huth do when a mishap occurs?

“I am mentally prepared to deal with the unexpected,” he said. “Humor is always a good antidote, especially the self-deprecating kind.”

Some of his favorite illusions are rope tricks.

In the jumping knot routine, he presents a white rope and a red rope.

“I create a knot on the white rope. Then I swirl the two ropes in the air and the white knot jumps onto the red rope, and we talk about what an amazing feat it was. Then I take out my lighter and create some heat energy around the knot and then untie the knot. The red rope and the white knot are now fused together as one object.”

When Huth was a high school teacher in a Southern California, he often used magic and illusions to enhance interest in a subject or get his students’ attention. It was during that period that his interest in magic took a professional turn.

“I found The Magic Castle in Hollywood on the Internet,” he said.

The Magic Castle is a 60-year-old private club operated by The Academy of Magical Arts that offers dinners, brunches, magic shows, and even magic lessons. Huth signed up for the classes.

“The teacher and I became close friends,” Huth said. “He mentored me, inspiring me with his teaching, talent, and intriguing ideas for magical illusions.”

Huth followed his heart and turned that passion into the livelihood he enjoys today. That’s a bit of magical alchemy in itself.

For more information or to book a performance, see infinitemagician.com or email Huth at infinitemagician123@gmail.com.