The Sleight Society: The Art and Philosophy of Sleight of Hand Performance

I am Vitruvian, and for those of you who do not know me, you're about to. For those returning for a second or third time, I must question your judgment. It was a tough realization when I discovered that my entire life has been a product of deception. No one truly knows who I am, and that includes myself. My life has been a performative journey, and the lessons I've learned through my experiences have shaped my outlook on sleight of hand performance and ultimately laid the groundwork for my concept of the Architecture of Deception.

Growing up with a single mother, we moved frequently across the country—every six months to a year meant changing schools and states. This constant upheaval taught me that forming real connections was futile, as those around me would soon be gone. However, I also recognized the freedom in reinvention; with each move, I could be anyone I wanted. I altered my backstory, experiences, mannerisms, clothing, and social circles. I learned through psychology that people's actions and reactions are often predictable and manipulatable. This insight allowed me to master the art of implanting assumptions, forecasting reactions, and creating certainty in others. Consequently, it’s impossible for me to provide an accurate description of who I am. Somewhere around middle school, the person I once knew ceased to exist and Vitruvian was born. Over the years, Vitruvian has gone by various names, morphed in appearance, and engaged in a multitude of interests, jobs, and hobbies—each rooted in deception. The hardest part for me is coming to grips with my solitude; no one truly knows it's me, not even myself, because I designed this existence.

My joy and passion derive from impacting others, sharing my experiences, and influencing who you may become. If I can change the way you perceive performances, inspire how you design your effects, and ultimately help you control the reactions you elicit, then Vitruvian has accomplished exactly what I intended and fulfilled his purpose.

The Sleight Society embodies my mission to deliver this to you. The books I write are more than just theoretical readings; they serve as workbooks for you to utilize, test, and revisit. The cards I create express my deep passion for playing cards and sleight of hand. My affection for cards runs profoundly deep, reaching what might be deemed an unhealthy attachment. Cards represent the core of my family life, albeit one that is fractured. The only moments my family—my mother, grandfather, sister, and grandmother—spent together were around a table playing card games, amidst laughter and disputes. This singular moment anchors my life, providing a sense of real family. Just as quickly as it came it is gone and I am alone again.

At around eight or nine years old, my grandfather introduced me to blackjack in the back of a Chrysler minivan during a visit to see my mother, who was in prison for fraud. My grandfather, my closest semblance of a father, stayed back to teach me blackjack, and I was instantly hooked. I quickly understood that with 52 cards in a deck, if I could remember what had been dealt, I could effectively predict the next card, igniting my obsession with counting.

playing cards and deception encapsulate the totality of who I am. Impacting others is my greatest joy. Creating a lasting legacy is my aspiration. This is the essence of Sleight Society, and I am Vitruvian.