For Samantha Pettey, stepping into the world of character performing was a magical twist she never expected. When a friend posted about being hired to play Rapunzel at a small local business, she was intrigued. Soon after, Pettey joined in the fun as Elsa, where she quickly discovered how much joy and wonder these interactions bring.
After the original business closed, Pettey turned a setback into an opportunity, launching her own concept in 2022. Through Just Add Magic Entertainment, she has been on a mission to create memorable experiences and establish Austin’s premier character company.
“We recognize how much these characters mean to people, and so it is vitally important to us that our characters feel real, even to adults,” says Pettey. “Our costumes are top of the line and make the characters look like they walked right out of their stories.”
Every character knows their story inside and out, sticking to details as small as Belle always greeting with “bonjour” instead of “hello.”
“One story that highlights our impact is when I met a wonderful grandmother as Cinderella. A family had waited in line again to see me, as the grandmother wanted a picture of just me and her. I asked her what her favorite moment of my—Cinderella’s—story was, and she responded, ‘Falling in love,’” says Pettey. “I then asked if the man accompanying her was her prince charming, to which she giggled and said yes. At the end, she asked if she could give me a hug, and I believe I saw her wipe away a tear.”
Just Add Magic Entertainment has been part of countless events, including Christmas tree lighting ceremonies, Trail of Lights, Unicorn World, and country club character brunches. The performers even donate their time to Austin Angels’s summer charity event, giving kids the chance to meet their never-before-seen idols.
Whether it be intimate birthday celebrations or corporate gatherings, Just Add Magic Entertainment offers many one-of-a-kind activities. For birthdays, children can enjoy snowball fights with Elsa or swimming with Ariel in mermaid form. Corporate events are also versatile with story times, singing performances, and movie nights.
“Our goal is to provide an unforgettable, Disney-like experience at your event,” says Pettey. “We make every step magical, from the moment you submit your booking form to the last hug goodbye from the character.”
See the full list of characters at: justaddmagicentertainment.com
“Our services are completely customizable, so we’ll work with you personally and help recommend options to make your event feel like a fairy tale.”