The Next Star Of Magic Has His Own Theater in McMinnville

McMinnville Magician Jordan Winton started doing magic tricks for his family as a child, recently becoming the youngest magician to receive international recognition with The Merlin Award.

Winton said the 57,000 members of the International Magicians Society nominate members and vote on the annual award. Winton said he had been unaware of his nomination until he received a phone call on August 3. He received the unique title Next Star of Magic alongside The Merlin Award in Las Vegas on August 10.

“In order to be different you have to be yourself,” Winton said. “And I think that’s the biggest part of it is just be yourself. And you have to know that things take time. And that’s what I’ve learned over the years really, really, is make connections, meet people, and really just be yourself.”

Winton said he enjoyed the reactions he got from performing as a child, which led to his love of magic. He said he continued his practice while he got involved in another side of entertaining through Christmas light design.

Winton said he was on ABC’s The Great Christmas Light Fight as a junior in high school. He said he was the youngest contestant, and that experience led to phone calls requesting residential and commercial Christmas light design. Winton said he began a more serious approach to his magic practice around that time.

“Now I’m the protege of Terry Evanswood, an award-winning magician,” Winton said. “He has performed in all kinds of places, including Las Vegas. He has a show in Pigeon Forge right now.”

Winton said people always ask him what type of magic he does. He said he loves performing grand illusions, including big productions like making a car appear or floating a woman onstage.

“It all started from a magic kit, and I slowly just kind of reopened that book when I came to figure out, hey this is what I want to do for my everyday life,” Winton said.

Winton said that if you want to excel at something, you must love what you do. He said if you love what you do and put your passion into it, you will naturally support the best in yourself.

“By doing the best you can without seeking recognition or approval from anyone, you will find what niche you fit into,” Winton said.

Winton built his theater in McMinnville to perform his magic show when he was not traveling. He said he also provides a haunted house experience called Rigor Mortis, including illusions and magic from September through November at 1030 Smithville Highway.

For more information on Jordan Winton’s international award-winning magic, see https://jordanwintonmagic.com/