Ryan Short

by MARY ELIZABETH ROBERTSON
Lifestyles Reporter

At 15 years old, Ryan H. Short, senior communication studies major, got the itch to create some magic.

“I went to a 4-H retreat,” Short said. “That year’s theme was how to communicate with others.”

According to ces.ncsu.edu, 4-H is a community of young people across America that learns leadership, citizenship and life skills through clubs, programs and camps.

At the retreat, a magician gave a performance and Short was hooked.

After practicing on his own, he was asked to perform at a child’s birthday party.

Short now performs 45-minute shows for various clients, including the North Carolina Transportation Museum, a 57-acre exhibit that allows visitors to view an authentic train depot built in 1980.

The museum also provides an extensive history of the revolution of transportation in North Carolina.

At the museum, Short performs as a “magical engineer,” during the “Day Out with Thomas the Tank Engine” event.

His act includes the use of a dove and rabbit and requires the participation of two to three children.

“My goal is not to trick the audience,” he said. “[My goal] is to entertain them.” 

Short personalizes each show, and for his most recent performance at the museum, he dressed as a magical engineer and added comedy to his act.

“People come back every year to see Ryan,” Event Coordinator K. LeAnn Johnson said. “His show is very audience-interactive. He puts personality behind the history of transportation [and makes it] fun.”

After four years of making magic, Short expanded his enterprise to include disc jockeying services.

“I loved music and electronics,” he said. “I grew up listening to oldies, shag and beach music.”

Short is a one-man business, taking care of all booking, equipment haul and any other preparation for his events.

His business spawned from his connections at 4-H, and each year, he plays for the 4-H State Council conference dance for approximately 800 students.

“Ryan also spoke two years ago as a motivational speaker and talked about his experiences,” Administrative Support Associate and Appalachian State University graduate James F. Draper said.

When he DJ’s, he creates his own contracts for his customers to sign, specifically when DJing at weddings.

“The contract is about seven pages,” Short said. “People always tell me that’s a lot, but it leaves the bride and groom secure.”

Because of his business, Short is able to support himself financially.

“I couldn’t support a whole family with what I do, but I [can] support myself and save for retirement,” he said.

Upon graduation, Short hopes his business will continue to grow.

“[In 10 years,] I want to still be running my own business, and have it be one of the premiere businesses in the area,” he said. 

More information on Short’s business can be found at ryanshort.net.

TrackBack URI for this entry

Comments (0)

Show/Hide comments