| WHO is Ozlen TUNCER ( Dr.TORA)
I, Dr.Tora, or with the name my family presented to me: Ozlen Tuncer; was born in Izmir of Turkey. I have been educated in many of the best schools in Turkey; primarily in Bornova Anadolu Lisesi and in the Middle East Technical University. My degree is from the Department of Industrial Design, by the Faculty of Architecture at M.E.T.U. my university years I used to earn my living from the stage.It was November 1982 when I first stepped out onto the stage.. In 1989, I founded the METU Magic School. With this little step, I became the first magician who had instructed magic at a university in Turkey. Nevertheless, neither the Club nor the School could survive after my graduation. Maybe I could not be able to do this in a university but; I could menage to do it in a private teaching Institute as a four semestres academic program. I also instruct Communication Skills in the same institution. I have attended to many television shows and finally I had my own TV Program named as Telegiz (meaning Tele-mystery). And then I moved to another documentary program showing the mystical and mysterious places of Turkey named as Telegezi (meaning Tele-Travel ). I have won awards with my TV programs. I had also had columns in the Yeni Asir Daily for 6,5 years. I have also been awarded with some awards for my columns and special news. I have given a break for my media works by the beginning of 2001. I have a dream: One day I dream about founding a Department of Magic in a university. I will do my best in order to achieve this. Another point is that I am the first mentalist of my country who represented Turkey in an International Contest. In fact I was chosen to do that by the Turkish Magicians. They wanted me to be an International Mentalist representing my country. I am currently doing that. Nevertheless, I also do Cabaret Magic. I consider myself as a Magic Entertainer. I like to entertain people more than to baffle them. People deserve to be entertained. And I will do it for them, as long as I can do. I have done many "first"s in magic in my country and I will list some of them below. Most important of all I am the first Magician / Mentalist who has been accepted to compete in the FISM ever from Turkey. It is a great honour for me. My mistake was to compete in a constest which I had not idea about. I know what to do and I mentor the new comers about it. At the same time I became the first "Team Captain" of the Turkish Magic Team and I have done it again in 2006 in Stockholm: FISM 2006. One point more, thanks to the schools I have gone, I am bilingual: Turkish- English. I also speak some French. There are many people whom had contributions on me but I have to thank one person especially: Dr. Morgan, my mentor. He did not teach me lots of tricks. He taught me how to become an original not a copy of anybody on stage. He also taught me the ethics of the art. He is a great man. He had created a Dr.TORA: The Prince of Magic from a Ozlen the Magician in a short time. I should also present my sincere thanks to my mother Turkan who helped, with my stage props and costumes being a good tailor. My dad was an awesome tailor, the best I have ever seen. They helped me out for my costumes to be the tiniest problem in my stage works. My Aims: are so many I am afraid if I can not do them throughout my lifetime, may be my time will not be enough. My Successes: I am not sure if I had succeed in something, yet. My Targets: I want to be remembered as a first class artist I want to be included in a book even with a single line. By this way to reach the next generations. JUST A FEW MILE STONES FROM MY LIFE: • 1982, Ankara, First stagework as a magician having the artist name: Ozlen The magician. • 1983, First meeting with my mentor Dr.Morgan and giving a short break to stage works • 1984, Back to the stage having a brand new name: Dr.TORA the Prince of magic and the style is "Cabaret magic and manipulation" • 1985, Ankara, First show in English Language, • 1986, Working in Touristic places where foreigners are the majority. • 1987, Working with a Foreign show group: Tony Bell's Stars Ballet. • 1988, METU ( Middle East Technical University) founding the First Magic Club in a university in Turkey • 1989, METU ( Middle East Technical University) founding the First Magic School and beginning to instruct Magic • 1989, METU ( Middle East Technical University) the First Thessis about “magic and design” in Turkey. ( This little thesis can be found in my site with the original form, without any correction of grammars etc. But the footnotes have been removed for easy reading. The title is : “Design of Dreams When Awake.”) • 1989, METU ( Middle East Technical University) the First Magic Contest ever among the Universities of Turkey, names as: The GOLDEN WAND Magic Contest. • 1990, Bodrum-Torba, First show in French and in Tailcoats… • 1991, Izmir, First regular TV program in the biggest national TV Channel and it was broadcasted via satellite throughout the world: named as “ Musichall”. • 1992, London, First shows abroad. • 1993, Izmir, Foundation of my own company: Oba Design & Organisation Ltd.Co.. • 1996, Izmir, My own program TELEGIZ ( meaning tele-mystery) had begun in Yeni TV- a local TV station, • 1997, Izmir, I began to write 3 different columns in the biggest reginal daily named as Yeni Asir. • 1997, Izmir, A documentary serial named as TELEGIZ (Meaning tele-travel) had started in Yeni TV. • 1998, Many awards for the TV programs • 1999, GOLDEN ARTEMIS Award by the municipality of Selcuk and the directorate of Ephesus Museum. • 2000, Sofia, Becoming the First International Mentalist of my country and representing Turkey in the Balkanian Magic Convention • 2001, Joining to the www.themagiccafe.com as a staff: Cafe Hospitality Host. • 2002, Izmir, Organising the biggest Magic Festival ever in Turkey: “First IZMIR Magic Festival" having participants over 10 countries • 2003, The Hague, becoming The First Turk ever accepted to the FISM • 2003, The Hague, thanks to Dr. Tora, for the first time the country name TURKEY appears on the screens. And Ozlen Tuncer becomes the Team Captain of the Turkish Magic Team. • 2004, Ozlen TUNCER / Dr.TORA becomes the first TVP ever for Turkey, for the prestigious IBM • 2004, Izmir, Ozlen Tuncer / Dr.TORA publishes the first Magic magazine in Turkey named as Hokus Pokus. • 2005, Izmir, A popular magic magazine”JOKERI “from Finland spares 3 full pages to Dr.TORA. • 2006, Izmir, a regular Magic Show series at a theater has begun: "A Magical Night" • 2006, IMS-International Magicians Society also appoints Dr.Tora as the president for Turkey. • 2006, Istanbul, Ozlen TUNCER returns to TV works by being the "Magic coordinator" for a TV show series which is also telecasted through satellite. • 2006, Ozlen TUNCER, completes the IMS Magic Academy studies and begins using his name as "Dr.TORA" ( A short note: a man has stolen my name and uses Dr.Tora as his name. This, at least may put a slight difference to it ) • 2006, Stockholm, Dr.Tora again becomes the team captain for the Turkish team for the FISM 2006. • 2006, Stockholm, Dr.Tora also performs in Stockholm. • 2006, Istanbul, Dr.Tora wins the second place in the Balkanian Magic Convention in which no first prize has been awarded. • 2007, Dr.Tora and the Volunteers of Magic is working on founding the first IBM Ring ever in Turkey. • 2007, Two first IBM rings are formed simultaneously in Turkey and Dr.Tora becomes one of the founders of Ring 368 named as The Bosphorus Ring. And... The life still goes on... I will always be happy to be in contact with as many magicians throughout the world as possible. Do not hesitate to contact me any time. If you happen to pass by Izmir, Do call me ! I will be happy to chat with you over a cup of traditional Turkish coffee- most probably the best coffee you have ever tasted. Many friends from abroad, telling about this tiny detail. So why don’t you try ? Please keep in mind that there is a Magician Brother waiting to welcome you to Turkey. Any kind of magical event will be fun with Dr.Tora. Seminars, Shows and Conventions are welcomed from all over the world. The shows can be either in English or Turkish and some French is spoken as well. Give a try you will not be sorry. Satisfaction Guaranteed ! Thanks a lot for visiting my site. Have a magical day ! Yours sincerely Ozlen TUNCER / DR. TORA |
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