Magic Direction & Design for Theatre

“Exciting illusions (crafted by Michael Kras)… set the stage alight.”
- NEXT Magazine review Clyde’s at Canadian Stage

“Director Philip Akin’s stylish production, complete with pyrotechnics and blink-and-you’ll-miss-them stage illusions by Michael Kras, elevates the material from a greasy Big Mac to a Michelin-worthy smashburger.”
- The Globe & Mail review of Clyde’s at Canadian Stage

“The production features notable stage effects, skillfully executed under Michael Kras’ direction and design.”
- Our Theatre Voice review of Clyde’s at Canadian Stage

Want to make your most ambitious theatrical pipe dreams come to life? I can help.

I’ve been a magician for longer than I’ve been a theatre maker, and I pull from decades of deep magic knowledge and experience when serving as a magic director and magic designer on everything from intimate indie plays to multi-award-winning worldwide sensations. I believe magic can be used as a uniquely powerful theatrical language in ways we have yet to explore to the fullest in Canadian theatre, and I’m trying to be a leader in discovering its full potential.

I served as the Toronto Illusions & Magic Associate for the Canadian premiere of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Mirvish Productions, dir. John Tiffany) at the CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre. In 2024, I returned to the Cursed Child team as the Magic & Illusion Lead for the production’s first North American Tour, helping to direct and refine the magic effects in collaboration with the company and original creative team members John Tiffany, Steven Hoggett, Jamie Harrison, and Chris Fisher.

I’ve also served as Magic Director & Designer for the world premiere of The Extinction Therapist (Theatre Aquarius, dir. Christine Brubaker), the world premiere of Versus (QuipTake/The Theatre Centre), the world premiere of Richard III: A Spectacular Stand Up Act (Caravan Farm Theatre), and the Canadian premiere of Clyde’s by Lynn Nottage (Canadian Stage, dir. Philip Akin). I have also been the Associate Illusion Designer for a new adaptation of A Christmas Carol (Florida’s Maltz Jupiter Theatre) and the Magic & Effects Associate for the world premiere of Franklin’s Key (Pig Iron Theatre).

If you’re a theatre artist who wants to (literally) make magic in your next show or find a way to make the impossible possible, let’s chat! Nothing is impossible, no matter your level of resource or budget.