Assisting a magician up on stage in the center of the spotlight was a new experience for Janie Nozell, teacher's aide at West Jessamine High School.
"The light is so bright, you can't see the people in the audience. I wasn't even nervous," she said.
Nozell was one of a dozen people plucked from the audience to be on stage during Roger Despard's Grand Illusion Magic Show Saturday, Feb. 25. The performance, which is the Nicholasville DARE program's annual fundraiser, took place at West Jessamine High School's gymnasium.
"Audience participation is one of the most appealing features of the program," said John Branscum, community service supervisor for Nicholasville Police Department.
The show, which is in its 17th year, appeals to its audience with new fascinating tricks and illusions.
"Roger changes his performance every year to keep it fresh and new," said Branscum. "He is the best."
Despard, a professional magician with three decades of experience, lives in Cynthiana. He said that Nicholasville is a regular stop on his annual world tour "from Paris to Versailles to Frankfort to London."
