The idea for Institute Illusions SG came only after Tommillusions, its founder and acclaimed magician, saw the space. “I was with the owners of Korat Thai cafe, on level three of Orchard Towers, to discuss an event that involved a magic performance. I became drawn to an empty unit across the corridor, and I thought it’d be perfect as Singapore’s first dedicated stage magic theatre.”
Tommillusions, or Tommy Chiang, is sought after for his lively performances from corporate dinners to wedding celebrations and even children’s parties. Institute Illusions SG, which officially opened in April 2026, marks another milestone in his evolution from artist to mentor, and now community builder.
“I want to build a community at Institute Illusions SG that is supportive, encouraging, helpful, and positive, not one centred on individual egos,” he shares. “A strong, collaborative community ensures the art form grows and lasts beyond any single performer.”
Anchored by a stage, Institute Illusions SG offers a rare space where magic as a headline performance, rather than a side act. Built like a modern black-box theatre, with an LED wall, professional lighting rigs, and atmospheric effects such as haze and smoke, it also offers plush seating for audiences.
Here, magic is taught with the discipline of the performing arts, through its line-up of structured lessons, lectures, workshops and masterclasses led by local and global talents. Participants learn technical skills, such as designing routines to fill a room, choreographing movements, shaping narratives, and building suspense towards the final reveal. Against the vivid environment at Institute Illusions SG, they also understand how to incorporate scale, presence and theatricality into performances, and grow more confident in their craft.
Says Tommillusions, “Just like all art forms, most secrets, methods or recipes disappear when the artist does. We wish to preserve and carry on the legacy, allowing the next generation to use our knowledge, skills and experience where ultimately, they can take magic to even greater heights.”
He tells us more here.
Why do you think it’s difficult for magic to gain recognition as a mainstream performing art like music in Singapore?
Magic is a performing art shrouded in secrecy and built on highly complex skills. People are often wary or fearful of what they don’t fully understand. Many people mistakenly think stage magic is the same as children’s party entertainment or simple clowning.
In reality, stage magic is a sophisticated performing art that demands years of technical skill, psychology, timing, and theatrical presentation. A truly great magic performance can feel almost spiritual, which adds to the mystery. But this also makes it harder for the art form to be appreciated in the same way as more transparent arts like music or dance.
How did this inspire you to start Institute Illusions SG?
I reached a point where I started asking myself a deeper question, why should everything I’ve learned over the years just end with me? All the experience, the mistakes to avoid, the things that work, the things that don’t… it felt like a waste for it to disappear.
Magic, like any craft, grows when it is shared. When more people understand the fundamentals, they don’t have to start from zero or go through years of trial and error. They can build on what already exists and elevate it even further. That realisation is what inspired Institute Illusions SG. It’s not just about teaching tricks, it’s about passing on a foundation, so others can go further than I did, and together, raise the standard of magic in Singapore and beyond.
Institute Illusions SG also aims to nurture talents in the magic scene. What do you look forward to about mentoring the younger generation of magicians?
We teach solid foundational practices, much like serving a meal in the right order: appetisers, mains, then dessert. If the sequence is wrong, the entire experience feels off. That said, we don’t impose one style. We expose students to various genres and characters of magic, then help them discover what feels most natural and authentic to them. Once they find their voice, we support, nurture, and guide them to develop it fully and succeed on their own terms.
What support did you wish for when you started out, and which you want to provide for the younger magicians here?
When I started out, I wished for guidance on structuring a complete magic routine, selecting music that enhanced the show’s effects, accessing equipment quickly (especially for last-minute or one-off needs), and building a sustainable, financially sound career in magic.These are exactly the kinds of practical support we want to provide at Institute Illusions SG, from performance crafting to career advice and resource access.
How do you think magic can enrich Singapore’s cultural and artistic identity and legacy?
Magic offers endless opportunities to celebrate Singapore’s unique culture. Imagine effects involving appearing or transposing durians, audience-selected local dishes materialising (like a plate of nasi lemak from a chosen photo), or incorporating Singlish and familiar local references. Blending these with world-class magic techniques can help put a distinctively Singaporean stamp on the art form.
In this age of IG and AI, how do you continue to engage and entertain your audiences?
A huge part of magic is performance. While sleight of hand and technical methods are important, the real magic happens in the audience’s mind, through our presentation, choice of words, angles, timing, music, and psychology. We guide them to fill in the blanks themselves.
In today’s digital age, we still share moments on social media to spark interest. However, magic is best experienced live. It’s about being in the room, making choices, participating, and even handling the props. That creates the genuine “wow” moment that no screen can fully replicate.
Your earliest encounter with magic?
I was about four years old and had gotten a coin-vanishing toy from a Burger King kids’ meal. It worked by placing a coin inside, sliding the cover only for the coin to have disappeared. Slide it again and the coin returned. That little moment sparked something in me that never went away.
Institute Illusions SG is at 400 Orchard Road, Orchard Towers, #03-37- 39, Singapore 238875. More info here.
