08/24/2026
Captain Jim, otherwise known as Jim Light of Greensboro, N.C., a featured performer at the Clarion County Fair, PA uses the stage as more than a place to delight audiences with feats of magic — it’s also a platform for sharing his message of positivity and resilience.
The whole theatrical premise of the show is about getting through challenges. "You can get through anything if you believe in your magic powers — your inner strength.”
Captain Jim knows from whence he speaks, having persevered through a significant challenge of his own.
As he tells it, that challenge led to him becoming a motivational magician.
“I performed magic as a child, school talent shows and family gatherings. I enjoyed being in drama class and entertaining others. As I became older, I left that behind and in my adult life I built a contracting business. I was a builder.”
“In my mid-30s my life was changed. I was hit by a car and had to have my lower right leg amputated. I chose to shut down my construction business. I went to college to study and become a counselor. Helping others through their challenges.”
“As I was getting fitted for a prosthetic leg I couldn’t help but think of a peg-leg pirate. Then I thought of, a peg-leg pirate who performs magic. And wait, I could talk about what it takes for a good crew to do in navigating through rough waters. I could be a bit of a motivational magic pirate."
This unusual idea exploded into a full time career! In a way Captain Jim achieved both of his goals. An entertainer that inspires!
Now a touring magician traveling up and down the East Coast, Captain Jim uses his illusions, particularly a piece of magic called “The Rope of Life,” to reinforce his inspirational message. “With the keys to success and direction in life, it’s kNOT impossible to over come your challenges!”
Captain Jim’s opening act and onstage partner, Lady Louisa, has her own role in sharing the show’s message.
She opens the show, dancing with and balancing swords. There’s a voiceover about how swords symbolize having balance to overcome life’s sharp challenges.
According to Captain Jim, the messages Lady Louisa and he shares resonates with audiences.
“We’ll have people come up after the show at our meet and greet — children, teens, adults — and they just open up with how our show makes them feel stronger in getting through their challenges!”
Captain Jim’s self-built stage adds to the now themed steam punk aesthetic (a retro-future genre of science fiction inspired by 19th-century steam-powered machinery) that underlies his magic act.
“I built the stage about 12 years ago,” he noted. “I was a builder and I wanted something extremely unique; it has old wagon wheels. Stacks on top that produce steam which runs the time machine, working stage curtains, along with many other bells and whistles. It has become our Travel Trailer Theater.”
The show’s usual steam punk motif has been adapted this year in 2026 to incorporate a celebration of America.
The Magic of America Show!
“We took our time traveler show that we’ve been running for the past five years and added red, white and blue decor with patriotic routines of magic. Lady Louisa sewed making our beautiful red, white and blue costuming.” Captain Jim reported.
“We feel very blessed and are proud of our show, we receive lots of great feedback from such a diverse fan base. I’m very thankful from such a serious accident, I didn’t give up in life. That I discovered my real calling in life. Lady Louisa and I have a great sense of accomplishment when we make others, feel good while having fun!”
