Mark Cook has been performing magic since the age of nine. For Mark, the performance of magic is his unique expression of the Joy of the Gospel.
A student of acting, he has performed at amusement parks, private parties, camps, and retreats. He is the 1st place winner of both the International Battle of Magicians Close-up Competition and the Florida Close-up Competition. Self-taught, he incorporates the sleights and techniques he has learned from many experts in the fields of close-up and stage magic.
The magic he performs is meticulously chosen for the feelings of impossibility and astonishment the pieces create. His performances attempt to present the true, good, and beautiful in an artistic and meaningful way through wit and drama. Mark's purpose of every show, therefore, is to give audiences a feeling of wonder and awe and enable them to attribute these experiences ultimately to God.
Mark has served for 2 years as a Marian Missionary of Divine Mercy, under the direction of Fr. Michael Gaitley, MIC in Stockbridge, MA near the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy. He is currently earning a Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the Franciscan University of Steubenville.
Testimonials:
"We had Mark Cook to our conference this year. He was excellent! His full length show was entertaining and funny. Our audience of all ages loved him! He involved the audience and was able to easily improvise with audience members. He also did a mingle magic at our young adult function and several short children’s shows. The children went home and talked about how fun he was. We look forward to having Mark at another conference soon!" - Jennifer Edwards, Midwest Catholic Family Conference Chair Person
"When I heard there would be a "surprise" at a recent event, I could never have imagined that it would be one of the BEST magic shows I have ever seen in my life! Mark Cook combines, music, story telling, humor and of course magic, into a fantastic interactive show. People in the audience were straining to get closer and when he asked for volunteers from the audience, almost every hand shot up. My mouth was hanging open throughout the entire show as I stared in disbelief thinking "HOW DID HE DO THAT?" I could not recommend Mark Cook more heartily. He is a talented professional magician who ends his shows to a standing ovation every time!" - Julie Musselman: Region Manager Lighthouse Catholic Media
"Mark is a clever and skilled magician. Moreover, he lights up the room with his humor. He has traveled across the country with our team delivering an engaging and delightful show to our event retreatants. Our guests love his show and they seem to rush to volunteer as he charms the audience. Mark uses his gifts in a beautiful way. Our team has truly been blessed with Mark Cook's presence at our events. We sincerely recommend Mark." - Kim Harmon, Development Manager for the Marian Missionaries of Divine Mercy
"Mark Cook does not disappoint! My husband and I first met Mark at a retreat where he showed us a couple of card tricks that blew us away. We knew from that brief encounter that Mark was as good as any professional magician we’d seen. What we didn’t know was what an extraordinary performer Mark is. Shortly after our brief encounter with him, we brought my youth group and their families to the Marian Missionaries of Divine Mercy for a day retreat. Mark was serving with them, and opened our day with his magic show. He genuinely wowed everyone present with his magic, but the big surprise was how hilariously funny he was. Mark is a true performer marked by charisma. He commands the stage with presence, charm, and wit that will leave even the most cynical of heart smiling in spite of themselves. He delighted our audience which spanned every age and stage of life. Hire him! You won’t be disappointed." - Megan Murphy, Youth Minister for Lumen Christi Youth Group, Christ the King Parish
