Final answer:
In theater, Nic's use of magic refers to a theatrical technique meant to draw parallel storylines, but it can inadvertently overshadow other plot elements.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context provided by Hal Luftig, when Nic uses his magic in the arena, it refers to a scene in a theatrical production where action onstage is paralleled by a more dramatic event in another scene. In the specific example from Kinky Boots, a character named Lola performs a magic trick involving a box and swords, which serves as a metaphorical counterpart to a scenario where someone is being fired from their job. However, the magic trick captivates the audience's attention to such an extent that they lose focus on the parallel narrative happening in the shoe factory manager's story, thereby demonstrating that the use of magic onstage can sometimes overshadow other important elements of the story.