If you’re lucky enough to be seeing Magic Beyond Imagination this month, you’re probably plenty excited already about Garrett Thomas, Kozmo, and Joe Maxwell teaming up on stage. But if you need a little extra motivation to get hyped, then check out the interview Thomas and Kozmo had with The Ithaca Times.

Both performers shared their magic origin stories. For Thomas, who has worked with icons such as David Blaine in addition to developing original tricks, his introduction to magic was poignant. “Looking back on it if I was honest, I did it to get my father’s attention,” he said. “He loved magic, and it empowered me, I could do something that he couldn’t.” Learning magic was a challenge for the dyslexic young man, who developed his skills primarily by watching and copying magicians on television.

Kozmo also started magic young, but finally made the call to go full time after a few impromptu, informal efforts. “I crashed the Ithaca Festival,” he said. “I walked around and did magic, and I didn’t have a show, but I was just doing card tricks and stuff. And I passed the hat and I made $130 in three hours walking around. I thought ‘There’s something to this.’” He’s now known for his street magic, his comic style, and for his tricks, like The Jar (above).

Magic Beyond Imagination will be at the Cortland Repertory Theatre in Cortland, New York on Friday, March 9 and Saturday, March 10 at 7:30pm (tickets available here). The trio will also perform at Palmer Opera House in Cuba, New York on Friday, March 16 at 7:30pm (tickets available here).