In 1994 the Nashville Tennessee Parks and Recreation Disabilities Program organized a magic program in which all of the magicians have a mental disability. Six girls and nine guys perform as the Court Jesters Magic Troupe. This magic program is the only one in the world of its kind. The Court Jesters have given over 400 performances, in ten states for over 80,000 people.
Four Nashville newspapers have featured articles about the Court Jesters. "Tennessee Crossroads", a public broadcasting show that airs in seven states featured a story about the Court Jesters. A documentary about the Jesters earned a Bronze "Telly" Award in national competition. In 1998 the Society of American Magicians granted the magic program an assembly charter, the first in their 100 year history where the majority of the members have a mental disability.
The Court Jesters have performed at seven national conventions and world events. In 1999 they gave four performances at the World Special Olympics Games. In 2000 they performed during the ARC (Association of Retarded Citizens) of the United States National Convention. In 2001 the Court Jesters traveled to Guatemala to help celebrate their first ARC National Convention and in 2004 the Jesters performed for the Sertoma Club’s International Convention.
In the beginning the program was an experiment to determine if people with a mental dißsability could learn the performing art of magic. With hard work and dedication the Court Jesters have opened doors and taken advantage of opportunities never before offered to people with a mental disability. With every performance, the Court Jesters demonstrated their talents and abilities, not their disabilities. The magic of the Jesters has given thousands of people a positive new understanding of what can be accomplished by people with a disability when they are given the opportunity.
We are beginning a new journey. The Court Jesters helped develop and will serve as National Ambassadors for a new educational program called Magic for Special Education. This will be a national program to teach magic skills to build self confidence and self esteem while improving the mental and physical skills of ßpeople with disabilities. Because of the hard work and dedication of the Court Jesters, thousands of people with a disability, will experience the joy as well as the mental and physical benefits of learning to perform magic.
When you make Merlin and the Court Jesters part of your event you get a 40 min. show featuring 7-8 professional illusions synchronized to a narrative and performed entirely by a group of young adults who are mentally challenged. Meet the Gang!
Booking Information Court Jesters Magic Troupe
contact Tom Stone, Director at: 615-262-1966 or by email at: info@magicforspecialeducation.org
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