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Jason Bishop (born Jasane Castro; January 23) is an American illusionist and magician, and is arguably the largest touring magic and illusion show in the United States at this time. Bishop has won a number of Magic Awards, including the Jack Gwynne Trophy for Magical Presentation and was the 2006 Agency for the Performing Arts Performing artist of the year. Bishop does an average of 150 shows a year, including cruise ships, local theaters and corporations.

Early Years
Bishop was born Jasane Castro on January 23 in Newark, New Jersey to Josefina Castro Hernandez. He and his younger siblings were placed in St. John’s and St. Joseph’s Orphanage in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at a very young age. After being placed in the orphanage, Bishop and his siblings became children of the foster care system and were moved through several foster homes in Philadelphia, Easton, Fleetwood, Leesport, and Allentown, PA. Bishop continued to be moved from foster home to foster home until he was 18 years old. It was during these years that Bishop developed an interest in magic. He would go to local libraries to find books on magic and illusions and began to do research and taught himself small magic tricks and card manipulations. Bishop then began to attend International Brotherhood of Magicians (I.B.M.) ring meetings in Allentown, furthering his interest and knowledge in magic and illusions.

Jason attended high school at Salisbury High, in Allentown, PA, and Fleetwood High, in Fleetwood, PA. Around the age of 15, in the 9th grade, Bishop began performing at birthday parties and holiday gatherings, as well as for friends and small audiences. It was in his senior year at Fleetwood High that Bishop met Kim Hess and began working with her as his assistant. Bishop went on to attend Kutztown University, as a theater major. He continued to develop as a magician and began performing larger shows.

Career
Bishop and his assistant, Hess, promoted themselves as a touring magic and illusion show. To jump start their career while still in college, they sent tapes to a number of resorts in the Poconos area, including Caesar’s resort, and Woodloch Pines. From these demo tapes, Bishop began booking shows for audiences at these resorts. As more bookers became aware of the new duo, they started booking colleges and universities. Today, Bishop mainly performs at larger venues in cities all over the United States, as well as on Disney Cruise Line and Celebrity Cruises. Bishop has performed at Bamboozle at venues such as the Midland Arena, TX, the Magic Castle, the US Naval Academy, and the US Coast Guard Academy.

Though Bishop is not the only magician on the scene and has competition such as David Copperfield and Criss Angel, he does currently have the largest touring show, as well as illusions performed by few others. Bishop also uses more humor in his shows, as well as illusion. Bishop’s show also contains a large amount of technologically advanced equipment, including plasma and LCD TV screens, iPods and iPhones, and a modern rock and pop music soundtrack that is continuously changing.

Lead Assistant
Kim Marie Hess was born on October 8 in West Reading, Pennsylvania and was raised in Fleetwood, PA. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Kutztown University. Since the age of 4, Hess has studied baton twirling. Hess has competed and won awards at a vast number of baton twirling competitions, including the AYOP baton competition and has been recognized by the National Baton Twirling Association. Hess has known and worked with Bishop since their senior year at Fleetwood High School and has worked on the show with him since then. Hess acts as Bishop’s on stage assistant, assisting in most of the large illusions in the show.

Influences
Magicians: David Copperfield, Lance Burton, Mark Kalin and Jinger, and Harry Houdini’s marketing and promotion

Comedians: Bill Hicks, Andy Kaufman, Patrice O’Neal

Awards

 * Magician Alliance of Eastern States, stage award and originality award
 * The Jack Gwynne Award
 * 2006 APA Performing artist of the year

Notable Illusions

 * Double levitation (Bishop is the only magician to tour with one)
 * Changes $1 bill into $100 bill and gives to an audience member
 * Bounces cards 30 feet off stage into audience
 * Jim Steinmeyer’s Through a Jail Window
 * Live goldfish emerging from iPod

Current tour
There are 15 illusions in the current tour, The Jason Bishop Show. The tour travels all over the country.