The Show
Africa-dabra is an intimate journey exploring the lost, yet amazing stories of three African-American magicians from the past. In this brand-new show, magician, producer and educator Ran’D Shine, along with author, storyteller and magician Rory Rennick will share with you through performance and story the fascinating lives of the Richard Potter, Henry Box Brown and Black Herman. Learn how each of these performers overcame adversity to become the greatest African American magicians of their time.
The Magicians
RORY RENNICK
For nearly 20 years Rory Rennick has performed professionally as a magician following a 15-year career in the mental health field. For over a decade he has combined his acting, motivational speaking and prestidigitation skills to present the incredible story of the slave-turned-magic entertainer Henry “Box” Brown. Besides writing, producing and being featured in a full-length stage play about “Box” Brown, Rory has performed with various theater groups and has lectured to thousands as an arts educator with the Ohio Alliance for Arts Education and We’ve Known Rivers. He is also a member of the Ohio Storytellers Network and the Ohio Local History Alliance. He is a founding member and historian of the International Association of Black Magical Artists. Rory is considered one of the foremost authorities on black magicians and Henry “Box” Brown in particular. His upcoming book Henry “Box” Brown’s Legacy and My Life With Him is due out this spring. He was a consultant and a voiceover artist featured on the award-winning documentary: “Quiet Masters—The History and Relevance of the Black Magical Artist.” Among Rory’s other varied interests are writing articles about the world’s largest niche collection of African diaspora/black-imaged playing cards, which he owns.
RAN’D SHINE
A two-time visitor to the Anacostia Playhouse, Ran’D has become one of the most sought after performers in the industry with a show that is highly entertaining and hilarious. Mr. Shine’s magical style draws from his playful interactive relationship with his audience combined with his psychological engaging illusions and sleight of hand.
A few of his accomplishments include: featured performer at the South African Arts Festival, two time A.P.C.A. College Magician of the year, selected to perform for the Military Month of the Child on Navy bases in Japan, South Korea, and Singapore. Ran’D has appeared on the CW network’s “Penn & Teller: Fool Us,” and B.E.T. network “Man on the Street” segment. As one audience member put it “He is so much more than a magician he’s CHARISMATIC, FUNNY; he is an ENTERTAINER!” He knows you want to see more and has already read your mind. Come find out how.
ICE MCDONALD
Kenrick Ice McDonald (Master Magician/Master Entertainer) As an international award-winning entertainer/master magician, Kenrick Ice McDonald gives stellar stage performances and has earned a reputation for his grand illusions. He has been nick named “The Magical Phenomenon”. Ice has sold out performances, as well as broken audience and box office records around the globe. His sheer mastery of illusion has astonished audiences in London, Wales, India, Singapore, Jamaica, Canada, Bahamas, Japan, United Kingdom and throughout the United States of America.
Ice has been featured on several top rated programs, such as NPR with host Steve Inskeep, Masters of Illusion (series on FOX TV), Masters of Illusion Int’l (France) and the documentary The Art and Soul of Magic – The Story of America’s Black Magician. Ice was also featured on Comedy Central’s The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Roland Martin’s News One Now. In addition to his appearances on several networks, he has been featured in articles in the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times and many other publications. Ice has graced the cover of numerous national and international magic magazines including two of the world’s largest magic publications; The Linking Ring (3 times) and M.U.M. (2 times). He has also been featured in Genii and Magic magazine along with the international magazines Vanish and Magicana in New Zealand. February 2020, Ice was listed as one of the Most-Influential Magicians of the Decade.
Ice’s talent has also led him to produce and direct several films and documentaries. His most recent project is a documentary entitled “Quiet Masters – The History and Relevance of the Black Magical Artist”. Quiet Masters has been recently released on Amazon Prime Video Direct.
Virtual performance
Sunday, February 28 at 3pm
For tickets, click HERE.
This is a virtual performance. Ticket holders will be sent a Zoom link the week before the performance and on the day of the performance.