David Jeselski gets in plenty of weight lifting when he trains with his “Movements of Magic” partner, Hannah McGinnis. (David Pierini/staff photographer)
McGinnis walks through a move as the two train in Scoville Park for an upcoming show. (David Pierini/staff photographer)
Jeselski and McGinnis believe they will be partners long after they are physically unable to perform. “We do this for fun,” he said. “When the time comes, we’ll just find something else fun to do.” (David Pierini/staff photographer)
Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey kissed during their famous dance but not like this. (David Pierini/staff photographer)
Jeselski and McGinnis bring their chemistry to the iconic final dance from the movie “Dirty Dancing,” which they rehearsed for an upcoming show. (David Pierini/staff photographer)
Jeselski can get intensely serious during training and rehearsing but McGinnis can push the right buttons to keep it fun. (David Pierini/staff photographer)
While in the dressing room at “Kiss Kiss Cabaret,” Jeselski and McGinnis go over their routine. (David Pierini/staff photographer)
The two say a quick prayer before taking the stage at “Kiss Kiss Cabaret.” (David Pierini/staff photographer)
McGinnis prepares for flight in the final lift of their acrobatic dance. (David Pierini/staff photographer)
The big lift got big cheers from the crowd at Kiss Kiss Cabaret. (David Pierini/staff photographer)
Jeselski and McGinnis acknowledge the crowd at “Kiss Kiss Cabaret” in Chicago. Their acrobatic interpretation of the final dance from the movie “Dirty Dancing” was the only act on this night to receive a standing ovation. (David Pierini/staff photographer)
Jeselski stood on a pile of broken glass for this sideshow stunt during an art festival on Harrison Street in May. (David Pierini/staff photographer)
McGinnis purposely dislocates her right shoulder to squeeze through two stringless tennis rackets during a Harrison Street arts festival in May. (David Pierini/staff photographer)
Jeselski says engaging the audience is key. Here, he gets ready to escape handcuffs with the help of two volunteer assistants. (David Pierini/staff photographer)
This love story starts at the circus.
Hannah McGinnis was a diminutive aerialist in need of a stunt partner for the Triton Trouper Circus when it was suggested she pair up with David Jeselski, a slab of a man with tattoos and spiked hair.
“I thought he was creepy,” she said. “He thought I was 12.”
Almost immediately, there was an ease to their partnership — the lifts, tosses and catches undergirded by trust.
“Trust had to be instantaneous because if it wasn’t I could get hurt,” she said. “Our partnership grew into a relationship.”
As performers, Jeselski of Oak Park and McGinnis of nearby Maywood are “Movements of Magic,” a mix of magic, acrobatic stunts and sideshow tricks. They perform in circuses, festivals and cabarets. They’ve even appeared on
The Steve Harvey Show.
As a couple, their differences are complementary. Jeselski, 23, is a dreamer with boyish bursts of energy and a constant source of ideas. McGinnis, 18, is pragmatic and level-headed and cringes every time he says, “Hey, I’ve got an idea.”
So far, there isn’t a clear line separating business from their love life. On dates, especially ones that involve dancing, Jeselski brings a circus flair to their moves, forcing her to always be sure she is wearing stunt-appropriate clothing.
Otherwise, she has nothing to worry about.
“Our partnership is representative of our relationship,” she said. “He promises never to drop me. He’ll always be there.”
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