Full Name Paul W. Draper Name Paul Draper | Role Mentalist | |
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Born October 31, 1978 (age 45) ( 1978-10-31 ) Salt Lake City, United States Occupation illusionist, mind reader, mentalist, magician, film maker, actor, anthropologist Residence Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Profiles | ||
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 various fortune 500 companies and universities on various topics including why people believe weird things and how organizations create a cult-like following. His TEDx lecture has been applauded for its ability to educate while still being enormously entertaining. As the creator of the unique show Mental Mysteries, Draper blends his academic background as an anthropologist and communications expert with the arts of mentalism and magic. Only a decade into his magic career, he received the prestigious Merlin Award for his work as a corporate entertainer.
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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.
Draper began performing magic for his friends at age 8 and continued performing throughout his school years, lettering in debate, choir, and drama.
In his high school years, he also became a national debate champion in original oratory and a state drama champion in pantomime. 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.
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 and attended UNLV for a master's degree.
In 1999, Draper spent time as an anthropologist with the Navajo people on the Navajo Native American Reservation, where he learned about the power of oral tradition.
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.
In 2004, Draper gave up his academic career to follow his "childhood passion" of magic and mentalism, according to an interview with Psychology Today. 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. “Nothing I do uses psychic power," Draper said in an interview with Psychology Today. "All I use is influence and persuasion.”
Draper's work as the house magician at the Venetian Hotel and Casinos in Las Vegas lasted for several years. Eventually, Draper evolved his performance to blend magic and the "science" behind mentalism: perception, attention, and observation play key roles. In Mental Mysteries, Draper attempts to make the audience the star of the show, teaching viewers to read body language and feel as if they understand the minds of others.
In 2014, the International Magician’s Society awarded Draper the prestigious Merlin Award for Best Corporate Performer.
He has lectured on these topics at Yale University, Apple Cupertino Headquarters, the University of Utah, the University of Southern California, the Magic Castle in Hollywood and The Magic Circle in London.
Draper has appeared as himself in numerous 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. He appeared as a magician on Hair Battle Spectacular and as a scorpion handler in Guerilla Magic.
Draper has also performed as an emcee, working with dignitaries such as Dieter F. Uchtdorf, of the Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
He regularly appears at Comic Con events and acts as moderator in celebrity panel interviews.
In addition to performing, Draper also works as a consultant and guest lecturer for businesses, using his anthropology studies to talk about change management and leadership issues in the private sector. He also uses his performance to build self-esteem and agency in children. He frequently consults for medical companies, coaching employees on various communication methods.
He has designed special effects for theater and acted as a religious advisor for theater companies, drawing on his Jewish faith background. Paul Draper was also featured in an article by Makezine on his historical knowledge of Houdini's Legacy and Magicians in the Maker community.
He was 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.
Draper sits on the Board of Directors for the Inclusion Center for Community and Justice.
He has been a frequent performer at :