Paul W. Draper

Last updated
Paul Draper
Paul-draper-photograph.jpg
Born
Paul W. Draper

(1978-10-31) October 31, 1978 (age 45)
Occupation(s) illusionist, mind reader, mentalist, magician, film maker, actor, anthropologist

Paul Draper is an anthropologist, academic, and an award-winning mentalist, magician, and film maker. As an anthropologist and communications expert specializing in the cognitive science of religious beliefs, he has lectured at Fortune 500 companies and universities. As the creator of the show Mental Mysteries, Draper blends his academic background as an anthropologist and communications expert with the arts of mentalism and magic. Draper performed live streaming shows during the COVID-19 pandemic. [1] [2] [3]

Contents

Paul Draper recently had an article published in "Anthropology News" in 2023 for the American Anthropological Association. The entire issue of the magazine focused on magicians as collectors of magic artifacts. [4]

Draper was elected to the leadership Council of The Magic Circle in 2023, a London-based British organization and one of the oldest magical societies in the world. [5]

Early life

Born in Utah in 1978, Draper first became interested in magic when family members discovered Showplace Magic and Novelty in Salt Lake City. [6]

The first full-length magic show that he saw was at the 49th Street Galleria when he was 7 and then developed his own show and started performing for his grade school every year. [7]

Draper began performing magic for his friends at age 8 and continued performing throughout his school years, lettering in debate, choir, and drama. [6] [8]

In his high school years, he also became a national debate champion in original oratory and a state drama champion in pantomime. [6] At age 16, Draper watched Michael Skinner perform at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas, which propelled his interest in magic, which eventually led to his discovery of mentalism. [6]

Education

Before embarking on a career in magic and mentalism in Las Vegas, Draper received his bachelor's degree in anthropology at Weber State University. [9] [ failed verification ]

Career

Before embarking on a career in magic and mentalism in Las Vegas, Draper worked as a lecturer in Utah at Westminster College and Weber State University and later as an instructor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas where he taught communication studies. [10] [11]

In 2004, Draper gave up his full time academic career to follow his "childhood passion" of magic and mentalism. [11] At that time, he began working as the house magician at the Venetian Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

For Draper, these two career paths — anthropology and magic — coincide in the study of cognitive science, or how and why people believe what they do. [12] [13] [14]

In 2014, the International Magician's Society awarded Draper the prestigious Merlin Award for Best Corporate Performer. [15]

He has lectured on these topics at Yale University, Apple Cupertino Headquarters, the University of Utah, [16] the University of Southern California, [17] the Magic Castle in Hollywood and The Magic Circle in London. [18]

Draper has appeared as himself in television shows and documentaries, including Hell's Kitchen , Pawn Stars , House Hunters , Criss Angel Mindfreak , HBO-sponsored The Comedy Festival at Caesars Palace, Ghost Adventures , and Houdini: Unlocking the Mystery. He has appeared alongside David Copperfield, Lance Burton, and Teller on the History Channel as a consultant and expert. [19] He appeared as a magician on Hair Battle Spectacular and as a scorpion handler in Guerilla Magic. [17] In March 2018 Draper was the guest scholar [20] for an episode of What'sHerName women's history podcast on "Queen of Magic" Adelaide Herrmann. [21] [22]

Draper has also performed as an emcee. [23]

He has appeared at Comic Con as a moderator in a celebrity panel interview. [24]

In addition to performing, Draper also works as a consultant and guest lecturer for businesses. [25]

He has designed special effects for theater and acted as a religious advisor for theater companies, drawing on his Jewish faith background. [26] [27] Paul Draper was also featured in an article by Makezine on his historical knowledge of Houdini's Legacy and Magicians in the Maker community. [28] [29]

He was profiled in a six-page cover story in the August 2021 edition of The Magic Circular Magazine in London, England, the publication of The Magic Circle. He was previously profiled in a six-page cover story in the March 2017 edition of M-U-M Magazine, the publication of the Society of American Magicians.[ citation needed ]

He is a member of the senior faculty of the McBride Magic & Mystery School. [30]

Draper sits on the board of directors for the Inclusion Center for Community and Justice. [31]

Paul W. Draper performing a spoon-bending act Paul-2-draper-spoon-bend.jpg
Paul W. Draper performing a spoon-bending act
Paul W Draper pictured in Egypt Paul-w-draper-egypt.jpg
Paul W Draper pictured in Egypt

During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic Draper began offering live magic shows over streaming platforms, and presented educational lectures to assist other performers. [1] [2]

He has been an Adjunct Instructor at Soka University of America for the following classes : Learning Cluster: The Art of Magic, Core 1: Enduring Questions of Humanity and Modes of Inquiry: Questioning and Exploring Truth. [32]

Awards

Film, television and radio/podcasts appearances

Publications

Contributed chapters, interviews, and photography

Works

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Copperfield (illusionist)</span> American magician (born 1956)

David Seth Kotkin, known professionally as David Copperfield, is an American magician, described by Forbes as the most commercially successful magician in history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mentalism</span> Performing art in which practitioners appear to demonstrate exceptional mental abilities

Mentalism is a performing art in which its practitioners, known as mentalists, appear to demonstrate highly developed mental or intuitive abilities. Performances may appear to include hypnosis, telepathy, clairvoyance, divination, precognition, psychokinesis, mediumship, mind control, memory feats, deduction, and rapid mathematics. Mentalists perform a theatrical act that includes special effects that may appear to employ psychic or supernatural forces but that are actually achieved by "ordinary conjuring means", natural human abilities, and an in-depth understanding of key principles from human psychology or other behavioral sciences.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Max Maven</span> American magician and mentalist (1950–2022)

Max Maven was an American magician and mentalist whose performances were considered erudite and intelligent. He is ranked as one of the most influential mentalists of all time, and one of the 100 "Most Influential Magicians of the 20th Century" by Magic Magazine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Criss Angel</span> American magician, illusionist and musician (born 1967)

Christopher Nicholas Sarantakos, known professionally as Criss Angel, is an American magician, illusionist and musician. He is often referred to as one of the world's most successful illusionists, generating in excess of $150 million in tourism revenue for Las Vegas in one year.

Gerry McCambridge is a stage Mentalist from Long Island, New York. He was born Scott Thomas Burns in Brooklyn New York, on Halloween, October 31, 1962.

Richard Osterlind is a mentalist who has been performing for major corporations for more than 35 years. He has appeared at the Sheraton Great Wall in Beijing, the Hotel De Paris in Monte Carlo, the Casa De Campo in the Dominican Republic and many other luxury resorts around the world. He is a speaker, author, teacher of magic and mentalism and creator of many magic effects.

A magic convention is a gathering of professional magicians, magical hobbyists, dealers, collectors of magical apparatus, books and ephemera, and other students of the art of magic. It provides a place for lectures of subjects related to the craft, as well as a series of sample performances of noted or innovative techniques. Many conventions also hold competitions to judge who excels at a particular style, and present awards in various categories such as sleight of hand, card tricks, mentalism, and stage illusions. The largest magic convention is The Blackpool Magician's Convention which is attended by over 3,500 magicians.

Lee Asher is a close-up magician noted for originating new card tricks and hypnotic sleight of hand moves. He is considered an expert in playing cards, and as a collector is especially known for his work with 52 Plus Joker, the American Playing Card Collectors Club, of which he is the serving President. He has served as a magic consultant for professional magicians such as Greg Frewin.

Madren Elbern "John" Calvert was an American magician and film actor. He performed on stage for eight decades both in the United States and worldwide. Siegfried & Roy cited him as an inspiration, and Bess Houdini said that he was second only to Harry Houdini in "play(ing) the part of a magician."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joseph Dunninger</span> American mentalist and magician (1892–1975)

Joseph Dunninger, known as "The Amazing Dunninger", was one of the most famous and proficient mentalists of all time. He was one of the pioneer performers of magic on radio and television. A debunker of fraudulent mediums, Dunninger claimed to replicate through trickery all spiritualist phenomena.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chinese Water Torture Cell</span> Predicament escape

The Chinese Water Torture Cell is a predicament escape made famous by Hungarian-American magician Harry Houdini. The illusion consists of three parts: first, the magician's feet are locked in stocks; next, he is suspended in mid-air from his ankles with a restraint brace; finally, he is lowered into a glass tank overflowing with water and the restraint is locked to the top of the cell.

A theatrical séance is an aspect of mentalism that purports to give its audiences the feeling of contacting the spirits of the dead, as might be experienced in a successful Spiritualist séance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Banachek</span> English mentalist, magician, and thought reader (born 1960)

Banachek is an English mentalist, magician, and "thought reader".

Glenn Jacob Falkenstein was a world-renowned magician and mentalist, and partner to Frances Willard from 1978 to 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Morgan Strebler</span>

Morgan Strebler is an American psychological illusionist, actor, director, writer and producer. Strebler started practicing magic at the age of seven after seeing a live Harry Blackstone Jr. performance. As an adult, Strebler started his acting career and moved to Las Vegas where he started construction on his multimillion-dollar illusion show. Some of his earliest acting roles inculcated Sesame Street and at 17 he was on the Young and the Restless and Guiding Light.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guy Bavli</span> Israeli mentalist and illusionist (1971–)

Guy Bavli is an Israeli mentalist, illusionist, actor and lecturer. He is known for being the first Israeli citizen to win an international magic competition in the United States. He owns the entertainment company "Master of the Mind", based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Brook</span>

Paul Brook is a professional British presenter, author, mentalist and online streamer. He has written over forty books on the subject of mentalism, in particular psychological mind reading. Brook is also a Vegan, Atheist and a Skeptic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oz Pearlman</span> Israeli mentalist, actor, speaker, magician, and athlete

Oz Pearlman is an American mentalist, magician, and athlete who lives and works in the United States. He performs as a mentalist under the name "Oz the Mentalist", and has successfully appeared on America's Got Talent, winning third-place in Season 10 (2015).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alain Nu</span> American mentalist and personality

Alain Nu is an American mentalist, illusionist, television personality, author, and speaker. He is known for demonstrations of ESP, mind reading, telekinesis, metal bending, and illusions. Nu's career as an entertainer has spanned more than three decades, with performances and appearances in many countries. Nu's trademarked brand is "The Man Who Knows."

References

  1. 1 2 "THE ESSENTIAL A&E PICKS FOR APRIL 23-29". Salt Lake City Weekly. Retrieved 2020-05-30.
  2. 1 2 "Penguin Magic Podcast : Paul Draper". Penguin Magic Podcast. Retrieved 2020-05-30.
  3. Gill, Bob (August 2021). "Paul Draper Renaissance man". The Magic Circular. The Magic Circle: 230–234.
  4. Draper, Paul (August 9, 2023). "Searching for Magic". Anthropology News. American Anthropological Association. Retrieved 2023-08-17.
  5. "Like Father, Like Son - Marvin Elected President" (September 7, 2023) Magic News, The Magic Circle. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "June 2009 "Paul Draper Making His Mark"" (PDF).
  7. "Holladay magician reunites with teacher who inspired him long ago | Holladay Journal".
  8. "Magician Paul Draper mystifies audience with impossible feats of mentalism and magic | Holladay Journal".
  9. "Class Notes Fall 2023".
  10. Gjorgievska, Aleksandra (January 29, 2012). "Entertainer mixes magic and academics". Yale Daily News. Yale University. Retrieved February 21, 2015.
  11. 1 2 "Wholesome Guide to Misbehaving". Psychology Today. Retrieved 2016-01-13.
  12. GJORGIEVSKA, ALEKSANDRA (2012-01-19). "Entertainer mixes magic and academics: Yale Daily News".
  13. "What Do Rainbows Have to Do With St. Patrick's Day?". Community Table. 13 March 2014. Retrieved 2016-01-13.
  14. Brown, Brooke (2009-10-08). "Show isn't magic, but it's magical". DeseretNews.com. Retrieved 2016-01-13.
  15. "The Merlin Award". International Magicians Society. Retrieved February 21, 2016.
  16. "a Magic Show for Charity". web.utah.edu. Retrieved 2016-01-18.
  17. 1 2 "Mysteries of the Mind Event with Paul Draper". usclpe.wordpress.com. Archived from the original on 2016-02-07. Retrieved 2016-01-18.
  18. "The Greatest Halloween Magic Show". BayAreaScience.org. Archived from the original on 2016-01-27. Retrieved 2016-01-13.
  19. "Famous Mentalist Appears at NJC Tuesday Night". www.njc.edu. Retrieved 2016-01-13.
  20. 1 2 "Guests".
  21. 1 2 "THE DISAPPEARING WOMAN: Adelaide Herrmann, Queen of Magic". March 5, 2018.
  22. 1 2 PODCAST DIVES INTO THE FASCINATING CAREER OF ADELAIDE HERRMANN, “THE QUEEN OF MAGIC”
  23. Swensen, Jason (March 20, 2015). "Inclusion Center honors Pres. Uchtdorf, other community 'transformers'". Deseret News.
  24. Jacobson, Matthew. "Salt Lake Comic-Con welcomes 'Stranger Things' star on Day 2". USA Today.
  25. "The Magicians of Sleights of Mind". www.sleightsofmind.com. Retrieved 2016-01-19.
  26. "Revised 'Sleepy Hollow' to be staged in Centerville". DeseretNews.com. 15 October 2011. Retrieved 2016-01-13.
  27. Adams, Casey (August 13, 2014). "'Beau' knows least as cultures clash in romantic comedy at Hale". Daily Herald. Retrieved February 21, 2016.
  28. "How Houdini's Legacy Inspires Generations of Maker Magicians | Make". Make: DIY Projects, How-Tos, Electronics, Crafts and Ideas for Makers. 4 November 2015. Retrieved 2016-01-18.
  29. Carlson, Sonja (January 30, 2015). "Ogden theater opens 2015 season with 'Fiddler'". Standard Examiner. Retrieved February 21, 2016.
  30. "Faculty of McBride Magic & Mystery School". McBride Magic & Mystery School. Retrieved 2023-09-04.
  31. "Inclusion Center - Who We Are".
  32. "Paul Draper Soka University Faculty Staff". Archived from the original on 2022-08-13.
  33. "The Merlin Award".
  34. 1 2 "Paul Draper LIVE: Cold Reading (Instant Download)". Penguin Magic.
  35. "Mentalist Paul Draper | Home & Family". Hallmark Channel.
  36. ""Demystifying The Online Show with guest Paul Draper"".
  37. "Paul Draper LIVE ACT (Instant Download)". Penguin Magic.
  38. "At the Table Live Lecture - Paul Draper 3/11/2015 - video DOWNLOAD - Murphy's Magic Supplies, Inc. - Wholesale Magic". www.murphysmagic.com.