Photo by Amy Cherry Motivational speaker Tim Piccirillo performed a magic and comedy show for youngsters on Thursday evening at the St. Marys Boys and Girls Club.

By Amy Cherry

Staff Writer

Tim Piccirillo combined magic and comedy during his performance for area youngsters on Tuesday evening at the St. Marys Boys and Girls Club.

The show, entitled “You Are Special: The Magic of Believing in Yourself”, focuses on boosting children’s self-esteem.

Children of all ages filed inside the club’s gymnasium, the site of the show, which lasted over an hour.

Piccirillo’s enthusiasm was contagious as he entered the gym where he greeted children. He began by having them point to themselves while saying “I am special.”

Piccirillo utilized various acts in teaching about self-esteem. Several children were chosen as volunteers to assist him in the show.

Among the highlights of his show were disappearing tricks with red balls and coins, creating balloon dogs, a discussion with Eddie the puppet and a broken wand trick.

He dispersed positive advice to children such as laugh once a day and learn to laugh at yourself.

Piccirillo also highlighted the uniqueness of each child by emphasizing what’s on the inside not on the outside, the importance of persistence and to never give up and why a positive attitude is important.

Several cameramen and an audio crew from the Showtime channel were in attendance filming the performance. A portion of the show as well as brief audience interviews following the show are scheduled to appear on an upcoming episode of Penn and Teller’s television show.

“The show’s producer contacted me from LA after they found me on the web,” Piccirillo explained.

Penn and Teller’s reality series tackles a wide variety of issues ranging from the death penalty, gun control, taxes and much more. As part of the 30 minute show the two comedians dissect a topic and provide their opinions on it. Footage taken during Piccirillo’s show will likely be used during a show on self-esteem.

“It’s a very well produced and well written show,” Piccirillo said. “Self esteem is a huge topic in schools and has been for a very long time. It encompasses most kinds of problems from bullying, drug abuse and can be used in conflict resolution.”

Piccirillo, a native of Ridgway, has been entertaining audiences with his self esteem show for over 20 years and has performed it at least 1,000 times. He began his entertainment career 35 years ago, at age 15.

Although his career mostly involves motivational speaking for middle/high school students, teachers and corporate employees, he occasionally performs magic and comedy shows at banquets, parties and on cruise ships.

Throughout his career Piccirillo has ventured all over the U.S., visiting a majority of the states as well as throughout Canada.

He is currently pursing an opportunity to speak in South Africa during a three-day event with an audience of 5,000 teachers.

“I’m living the dream, getting paid to see the world. I thank God everyday I get to do this,” Piccirillio said. “I quit my day job 17 years ago and haven’t worked a day since.”