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February 6, 2010

Up -and-coming act slated for V-A game

Michael Pineda The Duncan Banner Sat Feb 06, 2010, 05:51 PM CST

Norman — For J.P. Wilson, an adolescent hobby has taken on a life of its own.

Starting with a magic kit purchased by his parents on a trip to Las Vegas at the age of seven, Wilson has honed his hobby into a fine art that is quickly becoming the rage in NBA venues across the nation.

This Monday, Wilson will bring his high-octane performance to Velma-Alma’s game against Ringling as he prepares for an upcoming string of appearances that will take him to Dallas, New Orleans and Los Angeles.

Wilson will use the performance to give his new assistant, University of Oklahoma cheerleader Maree Treece a live venue to conduct a dry run before a halftime appearance at a Dallas Mavericks game Feb. 17.

“We have been rehearsing for a couple of weeks and we wanted to provide an opportunity to perform in front of a live basketball crowd,” Wilson said. “We wanted to bring the show to people that have not already seen it and it will be a good crowd.”

Wilson, who has family roots in the area, began putting a magic show together during the first year of the New Orleans Hornets two-year stay in Oklahoma City. By the second year, his show was ready for the arena and since that time, it has developed both in production and reputation.

This season has been the first that he has taken the show on a national level, starting with a performance at Phoenix in the season opener. In additon, he has performed in front of crowds in Los Angeles, Utah, Denver, Oakland and Oklahoma City.

Through the first four years of the act, Wilson has continually honed his skills to create a performance that is both crowd interactive and action packed from the outset with illusions that leave the audience mystified.

“Opening night for each team is reserved for one of the top acts and it’s a big step toward becoming one of the top five halftime acts in the first season going out,” Wilson said. “Once the team sees us, they love us.

“It’s definitely a big rush. We do in seven minutes what magicians usually do in an hour. It’s very fast-paced. It is a different experience than doing close up magic. When you are in front of a sports crowd, they are there to see a game, not see magic. It’s a challenge to engage the crowd into a show.”

Helping promote showmanship is Treece, who will be making her first live appearance in front of the crowd at Velma. As a cheerleader, she is no stranger to performing in front of big crowds and after a crash course, is ready to take the big stage.

“Normally the process would take about four months but we have been on a fast forward program, putting in the hours,” Wilson said. “At first she was a little skeptical. She didn’t know if she would fit in or whether or not she would be able to do it. We matched up well and work well on stage.

“She has a great smile and a great personality. We are both used to crowds and we perform well together.”

It has been a great run for Wilson, who began his journey into entertaiment with the magic kit and support from his family.

“My parents have been involved in it,” Wilson said. “They bought me a kit and had a reward system. I would have to master a trick before they showed me another one. My dad usually showed me the trick and my mom would be the one I would perform for all week.”

That drive has extended from magic into other facets of Wilson’s life. He is currently a sophomore at the University of Oklahoma and stays busy with photography. At the age of 16, he was the youngest NBA contracted photographer. He is a photographer for the Oklahoma City Thunder, working at games and community events and also does work at OU sporting events and feed the children. He has had three pictures on the cover of Sports Illustrated and also has his work show up regularly on ESPN.com and ESPN the magazine.

“I enjoy staying busy,” Wilson said. “It’s hard sometimes to find time and balance everything, it’s just kind of ingrained into my schedule. I wouldn’t know what else to do.”

Wilson expects to be busy as the reputation of his performances continues to grow throughout the league. In addition to upcoming performances scheduled throughout the spring, Wilson will have playoff appearances to book as he continues to develop on-stage chemistry with Treece and propel his show to greater heights.

“My goal has always been to be at the top, no matter what I did,” Wilson said. “I want to improve, learn as much as I can and climb up the ladder.”

— Michael Pineda is the sports editor for The Duncan Banner. He can be reached at 580-255-5354, Ext. 143, or via e-mail at m.pineda@duncanbanner.com.

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