If Wichita State University junior Mark Toland can embark on life in Iola, Kan., and end up wowing a crowd on stage in Hollywood, Calif., there is hope for all.

 

Toland, 21, is majoring in musical theater and also making a living and enjoying life as a performing magician. He no doubt will know what playing card you so cleverly picked out of the deck, as he proved during a recent interview, but he jokes that he can’t magically make his homework appear.

 

Toland began his college career at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. He remained at USC for one year until his father passed away the summer between his freshman and sophomore year. He said he enjoyed his time there although it was short-lived.

 

“There’s something about being around people who are so driven and talented,” said Toland.

To get into USC, he had to audition in Chicago. There were only 80 people in his graduating class.

 

His mother, Karen Toland, still lives and teaches in Iola. He has three siblings: one sister, Carol, and two brothers, Scott and Kent.

 

“My family has been so supportive. My mom and dad gave me a magic book when I was 3, and I’ve been doing magic ever since,” he said.

 

As a child, he grew up watching and admiring magicians David Copperfield and Harry Houdini. Toland said he is also a fan of the music group The Rat Pack, which was popular between the mid-‘50s and mid-‘60s. He said these influences come through in his performances.

 

Toland works as the resident magician at Stevens Magic Emporium in Wichita. He is responsible for demonstrating every new item that comes into the store.

 

In addition to his studies and work, Toland performs, on average, 10 times a month at different venues.

 

When considering audience size, he said the biggest show he ever did was the opening act at the Miss Teen Kansas pageant. Also, while still at USC, Toland performed twice at the Magic Castle in Hollywood. Despite booking performances such as these, Toland said he doesn’t get nervous anymore. He described it as more of a nervous excitement.

 

Toland said his first love is magic, but music and movies come in a close second and third.

 

“Magic is coming up with the best way to hide what I’m doing. Illusions are what I do. Magic is what you feel,” Toland said.

 

Toland advised anyone preparing to begin college to have a general idea of what you want to do and to be willing to push and motivate yourself.

 

“You can take what you get at WSU and put it toward what you need,” he said.

 

Post-graduation, Toland plans to continue his pursuit of becoming a famous magician. He said he has always wanted to be on TV and he wants to land eventually in Las Vegas or Los Angeles.