The cafeteria of Destin Middle School was buzzing Thursday afternoon as about 150 students, parents and teachers gathered to witness an illusion show put on by The Pittman Magic group.
Students were eager to see their own 5th grade Language Arts teacher Melody Pittman, perform with her husband Dr. Julian Pittman; and were even more excited to watch their Principal Charles Marello attempt to escape from a crystal box.
As the show began, Julian greeted the crowd with a juggling act using balls, pins, rings and knives to showcase his skills. He even had volunteers from the crowd come up and participate in a noise-making game as he tossed pins behind his back, under his leg and balanced them on his chin.
During the second act, Melody wowed the crowd with her illusionary skills, as she was placed in different boxes, seemingly impaled, or chopped in half but then miraculously reappeared unharmed beside her husband.
The audience sat in awe as students questioned their eyes saying, “Where is she?” “What!” and “No Way!”
The grand finale saw Principal Marello hand-cuffed and locked in a clear box. A curtain was then raised as he quickly escaped his entrapment and burst out of the curtain to a great round of applause.
The purpose of Thursday’s show, besides the entertainment draw was to help raise funds for 5th grade classroom supplies and resources.
“We are actually both educators,” said Melody of herself and her husband. “If we have breaks or any long weekends or holidays we tour with our show. We love academia and education and we like our performing to.”
This was the second year the Pittman’s have run their magic show as a fundraiser for DMS, each year attracting more people to the event.