The Tribune

IT WASN’T just a typical evening at the Ranfurly Home for Children on Mackey Street last Tuesday – magic was in the air!

That’s because Collins Key, the 17-year-old magician who was a finalist on this season’s America’s Got Talent television show, spent time meeting and performing for children from the Ranfurly Home, the Elizabeth Estates Home, and the Trinity Methodist Church Sunday School.

And after performing some well-received tricks, Collins talked to the children about staying positive, following their dreams, overcoming criticism, and learning from mistakes.

His appearance, and the entire Ranfurly party, was arranged by Beth Hall, superintendent of the Trinity Church Sunday School, and Robert d’Albenas, a longtime church leader.

Mrs Hall is a strong advocate of teaching the children who live in these homes some marketable skills.

“These kids don’t have anyone except the administrators and they need to be equipped to contribute to society,” she said, while thanking the Rotary Club of East Nassau and Galleria Cinemas for helping to bring the magician to the Ranfurly.

He was in the Bahamas for a private engagement and also gave a show at the Atlantis Resort theatre.

From Los Angeles, Collins Key discovered the art of magic at age 12, staging impromptu performances at almost any gathering.

He was later accepted into the renowned Hollywood Magic Castle Junior Programme for aspiring magicians, which accelerated his success.

Key is the only magician to ever make it to the finals of America’s Got Talent and has been described as “an emerging superstar”.