From Sleight of Hand to Business Savvy: Chris Dare’s Magical Journey

Setting the Stage

“I always tell people that there’s an important moment in your life as a magician: the day you get into magic and the day magic gets into you,” Chris reflected.

That moment happened to the illusionist at the age of seven, when his grandmother called and told him to turn on the TV because there was someone who could levitate. That individual was renowned illusionist, David Blaine.

“I was fascinated,” Chris recalled. “He did this one trick where he told the audience to think of a card, and while it wasn’t initially the right one, he flipped it, and it changed to the correct card. I ran around the house thinking, ‘He’s got to be in here somewhere watching me!’ I was hooked.”

From then on, he immersed himself in the world of magic, scouring the library for books and practicing tirelessly with store-bought magic kits. He earned the nickname “Magic Man” from his peers in school, where his lunchtime performances were a hit among classmates, eventually earning him a TV segment on his high school’s morning announcements called Magic Mondays.

His first professional show came at 16, performing at a family friend’s party. “I brought every trick I’d ever learned and kept going,” he said.

The experience left an indelible mark on him. “They were incredibly kind and supportive, and when they paid me, they signed one of the bills with a note that said, ‘Keep believing.’ I still have it in my office,” he said.

A Place to Grow and Learn

When it came time to choose a college, Chris was drawn to the bright lights of New York City. “As a child, we would pile into the car and drive to New York, and I would look at all the lights and skyscrapers and be amazed,” he recalled. “When I realized I wanted to pursue the magic profession seriously, attending St. John’s was an obvious decision, since I could develop business skills to support my magic career and manage myself properly. Plus, New York is the place where dreams become reality.”

Chris majored in Business at The Peter J. Tobin College of Business and minored in Entrepreneurship.

When he arrived at St. John’s, he immediately started showing people tricks on campus, including James Hogan ’14CPS, ’16MBA, Major Gifts Officer, Office of Advancement.

“Chris and I have known each other since our first year of college,” he recalled. “I can still picture him trying out magic tricks on us at 3 a.m. in the dorms. I’m not surprised at his success, and I am thrilled that he’s remained connected to St. John’s.”

During his first year, Chris met his idol, David Blaine, in an almost serendipitous encounter. “I heard Blaine was going to be at an art museum in Queens, and I rushed over,” he recalled. “When I arrived, it was just the two of us in the room. We talked for 20 minutes before anyone else showed up. It was surreal.”

They exchanged business cards and the two remain in contact to this day.

The Newburgh, NY, native describes himself as an illusionist, reflecting his innovative approach to the craft. “When you think of a magician, you think of the guy pulling a rabbit out of a hat, or doing tricks for kids with a magic wand,” Chris said. “I like to refer to myself as an illusionist, or sometimes a mentalist. There’s a little more mystique to it.”

Chris has received numerous accolades throughout the years, but he is particularly proud of having a sandwich named for him—“The Magic Man”—on the wall at St. John’s mainstay, Double J Deli.

He explained, “One late night I was in Double J, and I did a trick for the owner. He was pretty impressed and said, ‘I think you deserve to have your own sandwich here.’ I think it had chicken cutlet, mozzarella, bacon, and hot sauce.”

As his passion for magic grew during his four years at St. John’s, so did his business acumen, and he was able to use the skills he honed in the classroom to help boost his career on the stage. In 2015, he established Dare Entertainment Enterprises, Inc.

Building the Brand

His magic is not just about tricks; it’s about creating experiences. His brand, Dare to Believe, encapsulates this mission. “Magic isn’t just what it looks like; it’s how it makes someone feel,” he explained. “I’ve always taken pride in the presentation and the meaning behind what I do.”

Chris performs 50 to 75 shows a year and is a regular performer at various St. John’s events, both on and off campus. Recently, he appeared at the annual St. John’s Alumni and Friends Summer BBQ at the home of JoAnn and Kevin Reed ’75C, University Trustee and retired Managing Director, Citigroup Asset Management.

“Chris is without a doubt a world-class magician,” Mr. Reed offered. “His appearance is always one of the highlights of our summer barbecue.”

Not surprisingly, it takes months of preparation to create illusions, which is a meticulous and time-consuming process. “It starts with a theory and an idea, and then I slowly fine-tune it into something I can perform,” he said, explaining that he will often workshop a routine with his wife before incorporating it into his act.  “I just keep trying until I can get it to the point where it’s pretty flawless.”

Magic with a Mission

Through his nonprofit initiative, Magic with a Mission, Chris also uses his talent to make a difference. From performing for children at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to supporting organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and Alzheimer’s associations, Chris believes in using magic to inspire.

One memorable moment came during a performance for a children’s cancer charity in San Diego, CA. “I did a trick where I placed a coin in a child’s hand and told him to imagine he was Superman,” he said. “I told him to feel the strength in his hands. His face lit up when he opened his hand to see the coin bent. It’s moments like this that remind me why I do it.”

Whether he’s designing a new illusion or performing at charity galas, Chris’ ultimate goal is to inspire. “People have lost the encouragement to believe,” he said. “If I can inspire someone to change their life or believe in themselves again, then I’ve done my job.”

Reflecting on his time at St. John’s, Chris shared how his education profoundly shaped his professional approach and personal values. “The biggest things I take away from my education at St. John’s are my work ethic and discipline. It also taught me how to work with people from different backgrounds. St. John’s gave me the education and work ethic that prepared me for the real world.”