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JULY | 2025

Junior Girls in the Picture Back row: Hanna Stolpe, Julie Dryas Front row: Gabriella Lester, Skyler Jade, Isha Banzuela, Anja Steyn

Diana Zimmerman 50 Mindboggling Years

“I fought for 4 years,” she explains, “and each time I got the same answer: ‘ The Magic Castle is a nightclub. Kids have no place here.’” But Diana refused to give up on her dream of giving young magicians access to the world’s greatest magical and business minds. Which is exactly what Don Seth did for her when he invited then 11-year-old Diana Shultz to join the Rabbits In Our Hat teen-age magic club in her hometown of Phoenix, Arizona. “Being a member of that club completely changed my life,” she insists. “I was determined to do the same for other kids.”

The Magic Castle Junior Program’s Extraordinary Effect

No! Absolutely not! There’s no place for kids at the Magic Castle!

These were the responses Diana Zimmerman, aka Diana, The Enchantress, received each time she petitioned the Academy of Magical Arts (AMA)/Magic Castle Board of Director to allow her to start a youth program.

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Little did she know that after four years of trying, her persistence was about to payoff. One fateful night in 1975, Diana was sitting at the Magic Castle’s Palace bar chatting with the legendry actor, Cary Grant (1904-1986.) Diana first met Cary in 1968, following her debut performance at the Castle, and they became friends. He had recently been appointed to the AMA Board of Directors (BOD).

“You know, Diana,” Cary remarked that evening, “it’s just a shame there isn’t a youth program here at the Magic Castle.” Diana’s response was immediate: “I’ve been trying to get the BOD to let me start one for years.”

“You come with me,” he retorted. Cary escorted her into the soon-to-begin Board meeting, emphatically announcing , “Diana has an idea, and I think it’s a good one!”

Avoiding the perturbed glares of several Board members, she restated her idea, then immediately left. Five minutes later, Cary came rushing out stating, “ They’re going to let us do it!”

Flyers were quickly distributed to every magic club and magic shop in the greater Los Angeles area. Nearly 100 kids (all boys) registered to audition. During the two-day auditioning process that was held at the Masquers Club, a few blocks from the Castle, the newly formed Youth Committee, which included Diana, Jerry Blount (1927- 2015), Glenn Falkenstein (1932-2010), and magic super star, Nick Lewin, watched every auditionee, ultimately selecting the 50 most qualified.

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DIANA ZIMMERMAN, SCOTT TOKAR, BOB DORIAN, SANDY EDBERG

Three such auditionees included Rick Gerber, who was the first Junior they selected, and would later become a wildly successful corporate spokesperson, entertainer to royalty, a favorite of Hollywood stars, and a member of the AMA BOD. Las Vegas illusionist, Dirk Arthur (1960-2023), was also in the first group, as was internationally renowned illusionist, Mark Kalin, who received the first official Junior membership card.

“Every Junior meeting was a master-class in magic,” Rick Gerber explains, describing his tenure in the program. “I’m still using many of the life-changing lessons that I learned all those decades ago.”

Nick Lewin agrees: “In 1968,” he explains, “I was a finalist in the Magic Circle’s Young Magician of the Year contest. Part of my prize was a membership in the Circle. Sadly, they didn’t have a Junior program, and I wasn’t even allowed in the clubhouse until I turned 21. By that time, I was living in the United States. I would have loved to have been a part of a youth group. So, when Diana set-up the Castle Junior program , I was truly excited to be a part of it. What an amazing group of young magical talent has been nurtured through this terrific program. I am so proud to have played a part during its early days. Here is to 50 more!”

RICK GERBER

The very first Junior meeting was held on the last Saturday of June in 1975. The new members chose the name Magic Castle Juniors . Diana served as the program’s Chairperson for nearly twenty years. During the past fifty years, she has attended all but six of the meetings. Her then Vice Chair,

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Robert Dorian aka Bob (1934-2019), took over as the official Chairperson and served for another twenty-plus years, until his passing. Two phenomenal former Junior members , Steve Barnes and David Doyle replaced Bob. They are the current Chairperson and Vice Chairperson, respectively. Both are Magic Castle Junior Achievement winners, the program ’s highest honor.

“My goal for the program,” Diana continues, “was, and always will be to create not just great performers from all walks of life, but great people. Steve Barnes and David Doyle epitomize this…”

“I was very close to Robert Dorian,” Steve explains. “I joined the Junior Committee fifteen years ago and became Vice- Chairman under Bob. I was determined to honor his and Diana’s, legacy to maintain this crucial program and ensure that it thrives. When, sadly, Bob passed away, I volunteered to step up and take the reins. Thankfully, David Doyle, who was also on the Junior Committee, and a close friend, agreed to join me in a leadership role.”

BARNES AND DOYLE

“So much has changed since the Juniors started,” Diana proudly states. “In 1975, there were only boys in the program . Throughout the years, several girls became members . Today, 20% of our members are girls. And we have kids of every race and nationality, as well as gay, straight, and trans kids. Everyone one is accepted and supports one another. It’s truly magical.”

"Kids can now become Non-Resident members , wherein they can join the meetings from other U.S. states and even foreign countries around the globe."

Back row: Jordan Meller, Ashish Raj, Diana Zimmerman, Xander Cheuk Middle row: Jake Hoffman, Ashton Ardenti, Steve Barnes, Scott Tokar Front row: David Doyle, Griffin McLemore

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Gabriella Lester was 18 years old when she joined the Junior program. “At that time,” she explains, “I was still living in Vancouver and flew down once every month to attend the meetings. I’d use the money from working brunches to pay for my flights back and forth. That’s how important the program was to me. Being in that environment with access to mentors, performance opportunities, and one of the greatest magic libraries in the world meant everything. It still does.” Today, Gabriella is one of the Castle’s most popular and busiest performers.

Anna DeGuzman’s career is yet another example of the opportunities that open up for Junior members. “I am extremely grateful for the Junior program,” Anna exclaims, “and all the amazing connections I made, including with other members who have become lifelong friends of mine.” Not only was Anna a finalist on America’s Got Talent Season 18, but she made history finishing as the runner up in second place! Anna’s star continues to rise with television and live performances throughout the U.S., Canada, and Europe.

Anna DeGuzman

“In addition to the shifting demographics and creating ever-more performance opportunities for our Juniors,” David Doyle explains, “kids can now become Non-Resident members, wherein they can join the meetings from other U.S. states and even foreign countries around the globe. Previously, only those who were local or had the means to fly to LA for the meetings could participate in the program. Due to a generous donation from the Jack Oakie and Victoria Horne Oakie Charitable Foundation, and the technical expertise of Committee Member, Phil Goodman, we were able to purchase state-ofthe-art streaming computers and cameras and have, in essence, flattened the magic world so that the benefits and resources of the AMA are now available to kids who live outside of the Southern California area.”

Gabriella Lester

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Left: Scott Barnes with Diana Zimmerman at the AMA Awards 1991

Below: Moments of Magic with th Juniors circa 1981/82 - Diana Zimmerman in the middle.

“Kids from as far away as South Africa, Spain, Brazil, Italy, and Japan,” Steve explains, “are now, via zoom, taking advantage of our expert lecturers who speak on all aspects of magic, as well as business and performance.

Additionally, our new non-profit foundation (GVAEF.org) enables us to fly kids in from practically anywhere in the world to participate in Future Stars Week —a once-a-year week where every Magic Castle showroom features current and former Junior members, giving our resident and non-resident members even more performance opportunities, and enabling them to enjoy all of the in-person resources that the Castle affords.”

In addition to Diana, Steve, and David, the program includes several other exceptional Committee Members, including Scott Tokar and Brian Batastini, both former Junior members; Alphonso—one of magic’s great sleight-of-hand masters; Phil Goodman, whose commitment goes far beyond the Castle with his tireless outreach to kids who are too

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