Chris Conner
With a degree in Advertising/PR and an emphasis in broadcasting from Wichita State University in Wichita, KS, Chris started out working in TV and radio. At 15, he started performing magic
professionally. By 17, he was designing and building illusions and selling them to magicians across the country.

Chris also started performing standup comedy at 17. He became a member of The Magic Castle in Hollywood, California, while filming a video for one of his live programs (Mysteries of the Human Body). Today, he combines his background in broadcasting, performance, education, entertainment and museums to create unique, educational programming that’s both intriguing and entertaining.

As Director of Education and Programs for Old Cowtown Museum, in Wichita, KS, he combined storytelling and hands-on experiences for a unique approach at teaching the history of the Old West and Southern Plains. He was one of the original staff members of Exploration Place, Inc., inWichita, as the Presentations and Special Programs Coordinator in the Department of Interdisciplinary Programs and Exhibits. His main responsibility at this state-of-the-art science center and children's museum was creating the image and design of the live, educational programs for the Kemper Presentation Theater. Along with creating, writing, producing, directing and performing in the Kemper Presentation Theater shows, Chris also created special programs and activities throughout Exploration Place and provided creative input for new programs and exhibits. Prior to Exploration Place, Chris was in charge of the educational programming for the Children’s Museum in Wichita.

Chris is able to take the unusual and turn it into a hands-on presentation. For example, he recently turned his interest in balloon twisting into a new program, “The Science & Art of Balloon Twisting,” which is offered to support teachers and educators by making science and math more attractive to students. The program provides students with concrete strategies for learning math and science through the basics of balloon twisting. Chris has also been involved in creating a hands-on science show dealing with the difficult subject of AIDS/HIV to help educate the youth in South Africa.

Chris strives to touch peoples’ lives by encouraging creative and innovative thinking through fun and entertainment. If you have a subject you’d like to see turned into a program, contact Chris to make it happen.