EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey, USA, October 26, 2026 — When magician TJ Salta won the $500,000 grand prize on Netflix’s Star Search in February, he had already made a promise about what he would do with the money. He wanted to create his own magic show.
That promise is now taking flight as Unity, his first self-produced theatrical production, scheduled for two holiday performances at the new Dream Live Performing Arts Center at American Dream in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Salta revealed to Conjurly that his plans for Unity grew directly from his television victory.
“I made a promise that if I won, I’d use the prize money to develop my first-ever magic experience and give something back to the audience,” Salta told Conjurly. “Winning the competition was a gift that came from the people who watched and supported me. I felt a responsibility to honor that promise.”
Conjurly first reported Salta’s plans for Unity in September, following a year that saw the Connecticut native win Netflix’s revived Star Search and receive the Milbourne Christopher Foundation’s Rising Star Award.
After the September awards ceremony, Salta told Conjurly that magic’s greatest appeal was its ability to connect people and make them feel something.
That philosophy is at the center of Unity, reflected in the show’s tagline, “Together We Are Magic.”
“When I first fell in love with magic, I became obsessed with its ability to spark wonder,” Salta explained. “But over time, I discovered that its greatest power goes beyond the magic itself.”
He described magic as a way of bringing people together across cultural and personal differences.
“To me, magic is a universal language, and Unity is an expression of that. I want people to leave the theater not only amazed by what they’ve seen, but feeling more connected to one another.”
A Bigger Canvas for Magic
While Star Search showcased Salta’s blend of sleight of hand, mentalism, and theatrical presentation, Unity is designed to expand on that approach with a much broader range of performance elements.
Salta said the show will combine mentalism, close-up magic, grand illusions, daring stunts, live music, and dance, all organized around the theme of connection.
“I want to create something cinematic, where the music, visuals, storytelling, and audience interaction all work together to make people feel like they’re part of something bigger,” he said.
The production also includes a particularly personal collaboration. Salta’s father, Tom Salta, is composing an original score for the show.
The elder Salta is an award-winning composer whose work includes music for major video game franchises such as Halo, Ghost Recon, and Prince of Persia, as well as the critically acclaimed game Deathloop.
“My father, Tom Salta, is composing an original score for the production, which makes it even more personal,” Salta told Conjurly.
Tom Salta shared his perspective with Conjurly, describing a collaboration that means considerably more to him than other professional assignments.
“Of course I’m incredibly proud of T.J. for winning Star Search, but I’m even prouder of the person he is and the way he’s handled this extraordinary rise in his career,” he said. “He’s still the last one there, shaking hands with the crew and taking time with the kids—that says everything about the man he has become.”
And the opportunity to contribute musically to his son’s first production carries its own significance.
“Having the opportunity to compose the original score for Unity and help bring his vision to life is simply the icing on the cake—an amazing gift. I’m truly grateful.”
The collaboration brings an experienced cinematic composer into a production that TJ hopes will blur the boundaries between traditional magic and theatrical storytelling.
“Star Search gave audiences a glimpse of what I do, but Unity gives me the opportunity to share my entire creative vision.”
Watch the official trailer for Unity:
A Return to His Roots
The New Jersey engagement also brings Salta back to the region where his career began.
Although he established himself as a Las Vegas headliner, performing in Cirque du Soleil’s Mad Apple at the New York-New York Hotel & Casino, his earliest performances were considerably more modest.
“I started performing magic in a humble ice cream shop in the tri-state area, and now I have the opportunity to bring my own production to the brand-new Dream Live Performing Arts Center at American Dream,” he said.
The venue, which debuted in summer 2026, has a capacity of approximately 3,000. Equipped with an L-Acoustics sound system, advanced theatrical lighting, and live video production capabilities, the theater is part of the East Rutherford complex’s expanding live entertainment offerings. The new theater’s modern design and advanced technological capabilities match Salta’s goals for the cinematic experience he is creating, Salta explained.
Salta said he wants the audience experience to extend beyond the performance itself. The venue’s multiple levels and bars, along with a limited VIP experience featuring a private bar and pre-show elements, offer opportunities to create an atmosphere that begins before the curtain rises.
“I want people to feel immersed in the experience from the moment they arrive,” he said.
A Reminder to Enjoy the Journey
With his television victory, major industry recognition, and first independent production all arriving in the same year, Salta has experienced a rapid rise. But when Conjurly asked what advice he would offer fellow magicians following his journey, his response was less about professional ambition than perspective.
He acknowledged that in pursuing his own career, he sometimes became so focused on the next accomplishment that he forgot to appreciate what he had already achieved.
“As creatives, we’re naturally ambitious, and that can be both a blessing and a curse,” he said.
His advice was simple: “Stay grounded, enjoy the ride, and never lose sight of what made you fall in love with this in the first place.”
Unity will be presented at Dream Live at American Dream in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Saturday, December 26, 2026, and Saturday, January 2, 2027. Both performances begin at 5 p.m. Eastern.
Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.
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