Ben Nemzer ’08

Graduation Year

2008

Major at MMC

Theatre Performance

Current Title

Magician, Self-Employed

Spotlight Story

What’s the most magical thing about being a magician? The array of opportunities it provides. Ben Nemzer 08 has performed around the world: headlining for cruise lines, appearing Off-Broadway, and even impressing his peers at The Magic Castle in Hollywood, California.

Such success wasn’t always certain. While a Theatre Performance major at Marymount Manhattan, Nemzer decided he would have to choose: continue pursuing an acting career or fully dedicate himself to magic.

“I remember my acting teacher, Ellen Orenstein, MFA, explained to me that as a magician, the audience is my scene partner. Looking back, I am very impressed by how she was able to help me stay focused and get the most out of my education—I’m sure it’s made me a better performer!” he says.

While Nemzer has wowed everyone from college students to corporate executives, his most memorable magic show was for a herd of pachyderms.

“Recently I traveled to India with my wife. We stayed at an elephant preserve in Agra where we volunteered and cared for rescued elephants. And we also performed for the entire organization and its employees,” he says.

While in India, Nemzer also dedicated a week to teaching magic at the Shanti Bhavan Children’s Project near Bangalore through the nonprofit program Artists Striving To End Poverty.

Currently, Nemzer stars in Monday Night Magic at The Players Theatre in New York.