Magic has a way of (abracadabra!) appearing ubiquitously throughout popular culture. Integrated with mysticism and illusion is the core element of performance, transcending the carnival atmosphere and stage into other arenas of human life and interaction. Host Dr. Melinda Lewis talks with magician, improv comedian, Drexel University English writing professor, and overall “Man of Mystery” Dr. Fred Siegel to uncover the allure of the magic genre, its evolution, and its performative relevance to life on stage and in the classroom.

"Pop, the Question" is a production of Marketing & Media in Pennoni Honors College at Drexel University.

Recorded September 29, 2022 through virtual conferencing (Philadelphia, PA, USA).

Featured Guest: Fred Siegel, PhD (Teaching Professor of English and Director, First-Year Writing Program, Department of English & Philosophy, College of Arts and Sciences, Drexel University)

Host and Producer: Melinda Lewis, PhD (Associate Director, Marketing & Media)

Dean: Paula Marantz Cohen, PhD

Executive Producer: Erica Levi Zelinger (Director, Marketing & Media)

Producer: Brian Kantorek (Assistant Director, Marketing & Media)

Research and Script: Melinda Lewis, PhD

Audio Engineering and Editing: Brian Kantorek

Original Theme Music: Brian Kantorek

Production Assistance: Noah Levine

Social Media Outreach: Jaelynn Vesey

Graphic Design: Kat Heller

Logo Design: Michal Anderson

Additional Voiceover: Malia Lewis

The views expressed in this podcast are not necessarily those of Drexel University or Pennoni Honors College.

Visit "The Smart Set" at https://www.thesmartset.com/magic-class for a related essay by Fred Siegel.

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