Follow #270magic
Why Jordan Allen Is For YOU!
A Magical History
It would not have been conceivable in 1990 that one individual would bring so much magic to the lives of hundreds of thousands. Jordan Allen didn’t start off as a magician. He started off as a kid with a “wild imagination” as many in the family would say. Sometime in early 1995 Jordan Allen became mesmerized after watching a magic special on TV. In February 1996 Jordan got his first magic kit while on holiday in Louisville KY.
After 5 years of practice the opportunity to attend the Creative Arts Ministry Festival Jordan learned a little about presentation. Jordan first professionally performed in 2001 at a local church in his hometown. It was 2002 that Jordan Allen was diagnosed with ADHD. Teachers & doctors persuaded him to continue practicing & performing to cope. For10 years Jordan Allen toured the Southeast performing “Gospel Magic” for churches & religious groups. A path that later set the course for his present ADHD/Sensory Friendly shows.
Jordan Allen’s first major accomplishment came at the Future Business Leader’s of America (FBLA) Region 2 conference where he placed 2nd in the Most Talented division. The achievement landed him his first professional spot in the local paper (not his first time in the paper, he won 1st place in every baby contest as an infant). The publicity followed by a 2 year windfall of bookings and appearances. At this time Jordan Allen was in his second year membership with the International Brotherhood of Magicians and at 17 he was gathering attention from the magicians at the IBM Ring 37 in Nashville TN
Jordan Allen invited by the city of Russellville KY to perform at the annual Jesse James Festival (Summer 2007)
After 2 years of building a reputation in the Nashville magic scene, Jordan Allen was invited to perform for the 2nd Magicpalooza show at the Belcourt theatre. Unfortunately this appearance did not happen. 4 weeks prior Jordan Allen sustained a serious injury following a bike incident and his appearance was cancelled – yet the show must go on.
The Show Must Go On
The recovery process began immediately but Jordan did not return to the stage. Instead, between therapy and rest he began to dive into two different styles of magic, two different world’s from what he was accustomed to on stage- close up magic and mentalism. While in the process of rehabilitating the Nashville Magic Club (International Brotherhood Of Magician’s RING 37) awarded Jordan the first Best Trick Youth. In 2009 after
completing therapy requirements Jordan attended the International Brotherhood of Magician’s International Convention at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and competed in the 2 international competitions for both Stage & Close- up. The competition was fierce and he didn’t win BUT he got positive comments from he judges.
Murray State University Years
In 2009 Jordan Allen enrolled at Murray State University, applying no where else and no regrets later. Going in with a major in Theatre & a minor in Psychology, Jordan Allen fulfilled his Major audition requirements & landed a role in Anton Chekov’s The Three Sisters and a children’s play adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book his freshman year. Between Three Sisters & The Jungle Book, Jordan Allen enrolled in the Study Abroad program for 2 weeks in London UK & Dublin Republic of Ireland.
And in 2011 2 weeks in South Korea in Daegu University, Murray State’s sister school. He also studied abroad a full month in Japan in 2013.
In 2011 Jordan Allen began experiencing what at the time was understood to be anxiety and Jordan’s interest in human brain took over. A new academic path was formed and Jordan swapped his minor with his major. Jordan’s interest in magic also shifted away from the traditional image of a magic act to that of mentalism, the art of mind reading.
2012 was Jordan Allen’s new debut as a mentalist and it was at his residential hall’s Spring Luau followed by other appearances around campus.
2014 To 2020
After graduating Jordan Allen continued performing his mind reading act and won 2nd & 3rd place at the McCracken County Fair. Not forgetting his dream of being on stage, Jordan Allen spent time drafting a stage mind reading show – “The Jordan Allen Experience”. In 2016 Jordan Allen learned about the Fringe Festival
Circuit. In 217 it was announced that Louisville KY would have it’s first Fringe Festival in 2018. Jordan Allen debuted “The Jordan Allen Experience” at the 1st Louisville Fringe Festival along with his first TV spotlight on Great Day LIve (WHAS 11 ABC). Following the success of the show in Louisville, it was taken to Indianapolis, Indiana for the 2019 International IndyFringe Theatre Festival where ticket sales outgrossed that of Louisville Fringe.
The windfall of booked shows brought by the sucessess and hard work brought by 2018 – 2019 came to a sudden stop in February 2019. The SARS-COVID 2 pandemic disrupted the norm. Shows cancelled. The disruptor made Jordan Allen revisit his roots. The mind-reading show served him well but it could not be sustained with venues closing. Revisiting his roots in the traditional form of magic, Jordan Allen went virtual on Zoom. The online show ran successfully throughout the 2 years of the pandemic
In 2021 Jordan Allen took the live performance version of the show to the 2021 IndyFringe Festival where ticket sales were higher than 2019, despite the health and safety strains on the festival.
ADHD / Sensory Friendly Paradigms
2 weeks before the 2019 Louisville Fringe Festival was to begin, Jordan Allen auditioned for America’s Got Talent in Louisville KY which catapulted the direction of shows today. Before auditioning, contestants must fill out a biography. America’s Got Talent is a TV show. TV shows run on story and Jordan Allen didn’t have one. This forced deep self reflection on the 28 year old magician. What has been the biggest source of angst, frustration that Jordan experienced that he found refuge from though magic? ADHD.
Oh Look It’s Magic is where Jordan Allen stands today. A show where Jordan feels most at home, telling his story, flight and triumphs with having ADHD. Jordan Allen hopes to inspire those with and without ADHD. Using the skills acquired from the early days in churches and having lived experiences, Jordan Allen uses magic to raise awareness, tell a relatable story and connect with audiences without being preachy.
#270magic 