Now you see him, now you don’t.

Actually you probably do see him, because magician Scot Grassette is everywhere. One day he’s dazzling an audience at a church in Bath, then he’s performing for kids at a summer camp in Poland and after that, he’s teaching the tricks of the trade at his own personal theater in Rumford.

In 2003, Grassette and his wife, Cindy, bought the former Methodist Church on Franklin Street in Rumford and renovated it top to bottom, maintaining its historical integrity whenever possible. In 2010 they opened 49 Franklin, which provides space for theater, weddings, stand-up comedy and – duh – magic.

Grassette has a lot up his sleeve, but this week, he was willing to take the time to share at least some of it with us.

What’s your earliest memory of experiencing magic? That’s a good question and I remember vividly. There was an incredible appearance from nowhere, then just as quickly a vanish, and a reappearance and another vanish. Peek-a-boo is still a favorite of mine.

How did you learn your tricks? Books, books, books. Books are the best value when it comes to learning magic. You can spend $20 for one magic trick, or $20 on a DVD or download and get 12 tricks, or you can buy a book and have 101 tricks. I have accumulated a large personal library filled with books that I treasure and refer to often. You can learn new things from old books. Also, when you learn from a book it’s much easier to be yourself in performance. When you learn from a video people tend to take on the traits of the magician they’re learning from.

Where do you perform? I do not actively book myself, so most of my shows are word of mouth and local. I perform in Weld several times a year. I perform close-up table-to-table magic along with a parlor magic show at the Bethel Inn. I’ve performed my stage show at Camp Post Card in Poland for the past several years. Last year I performed at the Chocolate Church in Bath for a special Christmas show, and many other clubs and private parties. Most of my shows are in my theater in Rumford – 49 Franklin’s Mystic Theater. I’m currently giving classes to eight students who will perform what they’ve learned in the BIG Show June 3rd at 1 p.m. More info and tickets are available at 49 Franklin.com (shameless plug). Honestly, these kids are amazing.

Is there a particular trick you haven’t been able to master? I’m having some difficulty setting the time on my DVD player.

What do you do when you’re not pulling rabbits out of hats? I have pulled a rabbit from a box, but haven’t lately. My wife, Cindy, and I own and operate 49 Franklin Reception Hall and Mystic Theater in Rumford. We do weddings, reunions, business meetings, showers and celebrations of life. In the theater we have Celtic Cabaret, Maine Event comedy, stand-up, as well as theater events such as plays, magic and other variety. In my spare time I work at Catalyst Paper Mill as an electrician.

Magician Scot Grassette (submitted photo)