Conversations with Kevin Stone

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kevin Stone.

Hi Kevin, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Certainly! I’m Kevin Stone (AKA) Professor Murat, the proud ringmaster and curator of The Magnificent Flea Circus, a whimsical spectacle where the world’s tiniest performers take center stage. My journey into the miniature and mysterious world of performing fleas began as a curious blend of theater, storytelling, and a lifelong fascination with oddities and overlooked wonders. I’ve always been drawn to the charm of the sideshow and the magic that happens when audiences willingly suspend disbelief. What started as a tongue-in-cheek tribute to Victorian-era amusements has evolved into a full-fledged performance art that brings delight, surprise, and laughter to people of all ages.

Professor Murat – Master of Minuscule Marvels

Step right up and meet Professor Murat, the enigmatic and eccentric showman behind the world’s most spectacular flea circus! With a magnifying glass in one hand and a top hat in the other, Professor Murat has traveled the globe (and beyond) to bring you the tiniest troupe of performing prodigies ever assembled.

A scholar of the absurd and a connoisseur of curiosities, Professor Murat combines the art of illusion, the science of entomology, and the charm of vaudeville into a dazzling display of precision and panache. Watch in amazement as his trained fleas juggle, tightrope walk, and perform daring feats of acrobatics—all under the big top of your imagination.

From skeptical skeptics to delighted dreamers, all are welcome in Professor Murat’s world of wonder. So lean in close and prepare to be astonished—because when it comes to entertainment, size doesn’t matter… showmanship does!

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Performing a flea circus is often misunderstood—and that’s actually a powerful lesson for anyone thinking about stepping into an unconventional or creative career path.

On the surface, a flea circus might seem like a novelty, a joke, or even a hoax. Some people expect literal insects doing tricks; others dismiss it entirely as outdated or silly. What many miss is that a well-crafted flea circus is a sophisticated form of theater, storytelling, satire, and audience engagement. It’s not about deceiving people—it’s about inviting them to imagine again.

That misunderstanding reveals something important: if you choose a path that doesn’t fit a traditional mold, people won’t always “get it” right away. And that’s okay.

In fact, part of the work becomes helping others reframe what you do. If you’re an artist, performer, or builder of curious things, you’ll often find yourself explaining—not defending—your vision. And that process of explanation can sharpen your mission and deepen your understanding of your craft.

In my case, performing a flea circus taught me that entertainment doesn’t have to be grand to be powerful. That laughter and wonder are outcomes worth pursuing. And that the strangest ideas, when done with care, consistency, and integrity, can create a deep connection with an audience.

So if you’re someone with an idea that people might raise eyebrows at, don’t let a misunderstanding stop you. Lean into what makes your path unique. Often, the world catches up—especially when you lead with intention, craft, and heart.

Choosing a nontraditional career might mean more explaining, more questioning, and more risk—but it also opens the door to invention, delight, and the freedom to create something truly your own. That’s not a detour. That’s the work.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
What makes The Magnificent Flea Circus unique is that it’s part performance art, part satire, and all heart. While the show embraces the aesthetics of old-time circuses, it also plays with the audience’s expectations. I don’t just present a novelty act—I invite people into a shared joke, a playful deception, and a celebration of theater itself. There’s a high level of craft involved, from the hand-built miniature sets to the carefully choreographed storytelling, all designed to blur the line between illusion and belief.

Also, unlike many modern performances, my work is deeply interactive. I break the fourth wall, engage the crowd, and make each show a one-of-a-kind experience tailored to the moment. No two performances are ever exactly alike.

I’m most proud of creating a space where people let themselves believe, if only for a moment. It’s remarkable to watch someone enter skeptical, arms crossed, and leave giggling, pointing, and swearing they saw a flea jump through a flaming hoop. That transformation—of mood, of mindset—is what keeps me going.

I’m also proud of maintaining a live theatrical tradition that dates back over a century, keeping it fresh and relevant for modern audiences while honoring its quirky history.

I want people to know that this isn’t just a novelty or a gimmick—it’s an invitation to rediscover delight. Whether you’re booking a private show, attending a festival, or just following along online, my aim is always to spark joy, curiosity, and laughter.

Professor Murat’s appearance remains notable as the flea circus that is the only one of its kind to have performed on America’s Got Talent.

Being on America’s Got Talent is one of Professor Murat’s most high-profile moments—it brought the flea circus to a massive international audience and gave mainstream visibility to his unique art.

But it’s not necessarily the highest accomplishment in terms of personal or artistic achievement.

For Professor Murat, the true pinnacle is:

Perfecting the art and engineering of the flea circus itself, training tiny performers to execute complex acts on intricately built miniature stages.

Sustaining a lifelong passion for transforming something overlooked (fleas!) into a captivating, theatrical experience.

Touring globally with his flea circus, delighting audiences of all ages, and inspiring wonder through his craftsmanship and storytelling.

So, while AGT was a fantastic platform and milestone, the biggest accomplishment is really the mastery and innovation behind the flea circus as an enduring and beloved performance art. It’s about the dedication, creativity, and sheer persistence it takes to run a show on such a tiny scale—something no one else has quite done like me.

If you’re someone who appreciates the strange, the clever, and the completely unexpected, then The Magnificent Flea Circus is for you. My work isn’t about fleas—it’s about fun, and I welcome anyone with an open mind and a sense of humor to come along for the ride.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
“Growing up? I was definitely not your average kid.”

While other kids were out playing tag or riding their bicycles, I was in the corner building tiny contraptions out of string, bottle caps, and paperclips. I was obsessed with small things—miniatures, bugs, wind-up toys. But I didn’t just collect them. I directed them. I built full-on stages in shoeboxes, wrote scripts for imaginary flea circuses… it was basically Broadway for beetles.

I don’t even know where the fascination came from. I’ve always been drawn to the little details most people overlook. A flea leaping with perfect timing, a beetle shining its wings—it felt like a hidden world that only I could see. And I wanted to celebrate that world, put it in the spotlight, give it an audience.

My parents? They tried to be supportive. My mom got me an ant farm once—within a week, I had turned it into a full-scale drama called “The Burrow Beneath.” My dad mostly just joked about whether the fleas were helping pay rent. But over time, I think they realized I wasn’t just playing. I was building something real—even if it was… tiny.

There was a brief moment where I considered being an entomologist, but honestly? Too clinical. I didn’t want to study insects in glass boxes—I wanted them on stage. With costumes. And lighting cues. I wasn’t meant for labs. I was meant for the spotlight. Just… with a very small cast.

School was, uh, complicated. I turned book reports into puppet shows. I built flea-powered catapults for science fairs. Some teachers loved me. Others had no idea what to do with me. I didn’t fit in, and that was okay. I had my own world to live in. I was never bored—just misunderstood.

I still remember my first show. I was seven. I used my grandmother’s empty sewing case as the stage, a few bottle caps for footlights, and a cast of four (slightly disobedient) fleas. Only one spectator showed up—the neighbor’s cat. But I went on with the show like it was a sold-out crowd. That night, I knew. This was it. This was what I was meant to do.

And even now, what keeps me going is the wonder. The pure disbelief and joy on someone’s face when they realize they’re watching a flea walk a tightrope in a cape? That’s the magic I live for. The world is noisy, fast, overwhelming—but a flea with flair and a velvet curtain? That’s quiet, beautiful chaos. And it’s mine. Despite the challenges.

If I could tell my younger self one thing, it’d be this: Don’t shrink to fit in. Stay weird. Stay curious. Keep building the world no one else sees—because one day, they will.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.fleashow.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fleashow/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fleashow
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/professor-murat-870496218/
• Twitter: https://www.x.com/fleashows
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIYxoYnDWzRdY3spHmwlUbw

Image Credits
Kevin Stone