For those who believe in magic, there is a club on campus catered especially to you.

The Performing Magicians focus on the art of magic and its secrets.

Members set out to improve their own live performances and help their fellow magicians perfect their routines by creating a forum for sharing secrets and thinking about magic logically.

"We basically take anyone in who has a strong interest in the art of magic," club president Chris Chelko (senior-journalism) said.

"We start them out really with the basic form just to see if they're really interested. We don't want people to come in and learn the secrets and then they never come back."

Treasurer Michael Dubois (junior-business management and photography) said it's less about giving secrets away and more about sharing ideas.

The club has proven popular with audiences, Chelko said, and a lot of people appreciate its shows and ask the club to perform at functions.

Interest in joining the club, however, is slim.

Chelko said there only are about a dozen active members.

"We try as much as we can to get our name out," Dubois said.

Chelko said club members will teach anything anybody wants to learn, but close-up tricks are their specialty.

"We do stage and we're getting better at stage, but for the most part we primarily work with close-up magic -- cards, coins, that kind of thing," Chelko said.

Chelko and Dubois had an exhibition performance yesterday during a Sept. 11 benefit concert in the HUB-Robeson Center.

Chelko said he enjoys street performances, such as those of magician David Blaine.

"It's close up; it's in your face. Everybody likes it," he said.

Chelko said the club began in 1996 but did not become official until 1997.

It was started by three magic enthusiasts, Francis J. Menotti, Ben Salinas and Scott Sullivan, who have all graduated.

"At that time, we were the first and only official university magic club," Chelko said. "As far as I know we're still the only one."

The club performs at Late Night Penn State in the HUB and has hosted some famous magicians at the events, including Penn & Teller and David Copperfield.

Members also have special performances for their club adviser, Penn State President Graham Spanier.

When the club's founders wanted to make The Performing Magicians official in 1997, they asked Spanier, who they knew was an amateur magician, if he would help them, Chelko said.

"We perform at all of his tailgates for the home football games; we do magic for all of his guests," he said.

"It's all close-up table magic, and we do about 45 minutes of that every home game. It's really a lot of fun."

Dubois said the performances for Spanier, which normally involve only a few magicians, sometimes draw hundreds of people.

Students interested in learning about or joining the club, can check out the Magicians' Web site (www.clubs.psu.edu/magic) for information about the club's meetings.