Paul W Draper
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Born Paul W. Draper
October 31, 1978 (age 39)
Salt Lake City, United States
Residence Las Vegas, Nevada

Occupation 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 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.

Contents [hide]
1 Early life
2 Education
3 Career
4 Awards
5 Film and television appearances
6 Publications
7 Works
8 References
9 External links
Early life[edit]
Born in Utah in 1978, Draper first became interested in magic when family members discovered Showplace Magic and Novelty in Salt Lake City.[1]

Draper began performing magic for his friends at age 8 and continued performing throughout his school years, lettering in debate, choir, and drama.[1]

In his high school years, he also became a national debate champion in original oratory and a state drama champion in pantomime.[1] 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.[1]

Education[edit]
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.[2]

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.[3]

Career[edit]
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.[3][4][5]

In 2004, Draper gave up his academic career to follow his "childhood passion" of magic and mentalism, according to an interview with Psychology Today.[4] 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.[6][7][8][9] “Nothing I do uses psychic power," Draper said in an interview with Psychology Today. "All I use is influence and persuasion.”[6]


Paul W. Draper performing live.
Draper's work as the house magician at the Venetian Hotel and Casinos in Las Vegas lasted for several years.[6][10] Eventually, Draper evolved his performance to blend magic and the "science" behind mentalism: perception, attention, and observation play key roles.[11] 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.[12]

In 2014, the International Magician’s Society awarded Draper the prestigious Merlin Award for Best Corporate Performer.[13]

He has lectured on these topics at Yale University, Apple Cupertino Headquarters, the University of Utah,[14] the University of Southern California,[15] the Magic Castle in Hollywood and The Magic Circle in London.[16]

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.[2][17][18] 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.[15]

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.[20][21]

He regularly appears at Comic Con[disambiguation needed] events and acts as moderator in celebrity panel interviews.[22]

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.[5][11] He also uses his performance to build self-esteem and agency in children.[23] He frequently consults for medical companies, coaching employees on various communication methods.[5]

He has designed special effects for theater and acted as a religious advisor for theater companies, drawing on his Jewish faith background.[24][25] Paul Draper was also featured in an article by Makezine on his historical knowledge of Houdini's Legacy and Magicians in the Maker community.[26][27]

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.[28]

Draper sits on the Board of Directors for the Inclusion Center for Community and Justice.[29]


Paul W. Draper performing a spoon-bending act
He has been a frequent performer at :

The Magic Castle, Hollywood, California
The Magic Circle, London, England
Smoke and Mirrors, Bristol, England
Cal Magic Dinner Theater, San Francisco Bay Area
Mystique, Boise, Idaho
Monday Night Magic, New York, New York
Magicopolis, Santa Monica, California
Mystery School, Las Vegas, Nevada
Celebrities of Magic, Bakersfield, California
Wonderground, Las Vegas, Nevada
Wizardz Magic Theater, Orlando, Florida

Paul W Draper pictured in Egypt
Awards[edit]
2014 Merlin Award for Best Corporate Performer, International Magicians Society
2009 Houdini Award winner for Best Mentalist
2002 PCAM First place award winner for mentalism[30]
Volunteer Award 2003, National Conference of Community and Justice
Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship, 2000
American College Theater Association, National Theatrical Management Award, 1999
Finalist in Original Oratory, National Forensic League competition, 1997
Film and television appearances[edit]
The Hallmark Channel[31][32]
Travel, Ghost Adventures "Fear Factory" Season 9 Episode 5
FOX, Hell's Kitchen 13 Chefs Compete
The History Channel, "Houdini: Unlocking the Mystery"
A&E, "Criss Angel's Mindfreak: Burning Man"
Oxygen Network, "Hairbattle Spectacular 2: I'm a Beautician, Not a Magician"
Steven Spielberg, "Poltergeist (25th Anniversary Edition)"
HGTV, "House Hunters Las Vegas" episodes 1-5
The History Channel, "Pawn Stars: Learning the Ropes"
The History Channel, "Pawn Stars: Crosby, Stills & Cash"
Comcast, "Hocus Pocus: Denny and Lees Magic Studio"
Comcast, "In Utah: Mysteries of the Mind: Parts 1-3"
WB, "15 minutes of fame"
ABC, "Duel", June 27, 2008 (contestant on US game show)
CBS, "Touched By an Angel: Show Me The Way Home"
Publications[edit]
Penguin Magic Live Lecture[30]
Murphy's Magic At the Table Experience[33]
Michael J. Fraughton, “The Dark Waltz” (contributor)
Macknik, Stephen, Sleights of Mind: What the Neuroscience of Magic Reveals about Our Everyday Deceptions (interview)
Sperber, Burton, "Miracles of My Friends II" (contributor)
Tillar, Jack Kent, "Septet: Super Powers for Mentalists" (contributor)
Banachek, Psychological Subtleties 2 (contributor)
Beckwith, Tobias, Beyond Deception, (editor)
Vanderwood, Jill, "Erase the Problem of Bullying" (contributor)
Woodward, Chris, "Rameses: The Forgotten Star", (contributor / research)
Hitchcock, Scott, The New Lecture Notes (editor)
Draper, Paul, Mentalism: Theory, History and Performance
Draper, Paul, Cold Reading with Playing Cards
Draper, Paul, The Magicians Journey
Draper, Paul, History of the American Spiritualist Movement 1880 -1920
Draper, Paul, "The effect of a "Psychic Fair" on casino floor drop rate: State Line and Silversmith Casino Wendover, Nevada 2002"
Ogden, Tom, Idiots Guide to Street Magic (Photographer, talent and consultant)
Works[edit]
"Tender", short, 2016 Salt Lake 48 Hour Film Project
Mr. Clown, documentary
"The Great American Novel", short, 2015 Salt Lake 48 Hour Film Project
"Enthusiasm", short, 2015 Las Vegas 48 Hour Film Project
"Inefficiency", short, 2013 Las Vegas 48 Hour Film Project
"Legacy", short, 2012 Las Vegas 48 Hour Film Project
Level Up, short, 2011 Salt Lake 48 Hour Film Project
Inheritance, short, 2010 Las Vegas 48 Hour Film Project
"Choices", short, 2010 Salt Lake 48 Hour Film Project
The Pitch, short, 2009 Utah 48 Hour Film Project (winner of Audience Favorite and Best Writing, 2009 Salt Lake City 48 Hour Film Project)
Nathan's Story : Teenage Sex and Fatherhood, 2001 documentary, KUED Channel 7 Utah (Rocky Mountain regional Emmy Award, Best Documentary in Cultural Affairs 2002)
References[edit]
^ Jump up to: a b c d June 2009 "Paul Draper Making His Mark"
^ Jump up to: a b Yale.edu January 18 2012 "Spring 2012 Master's Tea Guests"
^ Jump up to: a b Gjorgievska, Aleksandra (January 29, 2012). "Entertainer mixes magic and academics". Yale Daily News. Yale University. Retrieved February 21, 2015.
^ Jump up to: a b "Wholesome Guide to Misbehaving". Psychology Today. Retrieved 2016-01-13.
^ Jump up to: a b c "5 Best Practices to Retain Top Hospital Leaders". www.beckershospitalreview.com. Retrieved 2016-01-19.
^ Jump up to: a b c GJORGIEVSKA, ALEKSANDRA (2012-01-19). "Entertainer mixes magic and academics: Yale Daily News".
Jump up ^ "What Do Rainbows Have to Do With St. Patrick's Day?". Community Table. Retrieved 2016-01-13.
Jump up ^ Brown, Brooke (2009-10-08). "Show isn't magic, but it's magical". DeseretNews.com. Retrieved 2016-01-13.
Jump up ^ "Magician to explain, but he's not telling all". The Billings Gazette. Retrieved 2016-01-13.
Jump up ^ "Is The New Vegas Good For Guys?". AskMen. Retrieved 2016-01-13.
^ Jump up to: a b "The Magicians of Sleights of Mind". www.sleightsofmind.com. Retrieved 2016-01-19.
Jump up ^ "Your Cre8tivity: Paul Draper". Lennon Design. January 6, 2016. Retrieved February 21, 2016.
Jump up ^ "The Merlin Award". International Magicians Society. Retrieved February 21, 2016.
Jump up ^ "a Magic Show for Charity". web.utah.edu. Retrieved 2016-01-18.
^ Jump up to: a b "Mysteries of the Mind Event with Paul Draper". usclpe.wordpress.com.
Jump up ^ "The Greatest Halloween Magic Show". BayAreaScience.org. Retrieved 2016-01-13.
Jump up ^ "Paul Draper". IMDb. Retrieved 2016-01-13.
Jump up ^ "Cortland Repertory Theatre Downtown Presents Magic and Mystery with Paul Draper Mysteries of the Mind". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2017-02-18.
Jump up ^ "Famous Mentalist Appears at NJC Tuesday Night". www.njc.edu. Retrieved 2016-01-13.
Jump up ^ http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865624622/Inclusion-Center-honors-Pres-Uchtdorf-other-community-transformers.html?pg=all
Jump up ^ https://www.lds.org/church/news/president-uchtdorf-lauded-as-a-community-builder?lang=eng
Jump up ^ https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2016/09/03/salt-lake-comic-con-welcomes-stranger-things-star-day-2/89841708/
Jump up ^ "Paul Draper will unveil 'Mysteries of the Mind' at the Egyptian Theatre". www.parkrecord.com. Retrieved 2016-01-19.
Jump up ^ "Revised 'Sleepy Hollow' to be staged in Centerville". DeseretNews.com. Retrieved 2016-01-13.
Jump up ^ Adams, Casey (August 13, 2014). "'Beau' knows least as cultures clash in romantic comedy at Hale". Daily Herald. Retrieved February 21, 2016.
Jump up ^ "How Houdini's Legacy Inspires Generations of Maker Magicians | Make:". Make: DIY Projects, How-Tos, Electronics, Crafts and Ideas for Makers. Retrieved 2016-01-18.
Jump up ^ Carlson, Sonja (January 30, 2015). "Ogden theater opens 2015 season with 'Fiddler'". Standard Examiner. Retrieved February 21, 2016.
Jump up ^ http://www.mum-magazine.com/ M-U-M Magazine, Society of American Magicians
Jump up ^ http://www.inclusioncenter.org/who-we-are.html Inclusion Center - Who We Are
^ Jump up to: a b http://www.penguinmagic.com/p/2872 Penguin Live Lecture : Paul Draper
Jump up ^ http://www.hallmarkchannel.com/home-and-family/videos/mentalist-paul-draper Hallmark Channel Live Appearance 1"
Jump up ^ http://www.hallmarkchannel.com/home-and-family/videos/mentalist-paul-draper_1 Hallmark Channel Live Appearance 2"
Jump up ^ https://www.murphysmagic.com/Streaming/Product.aspx?id=55299
External links[edit]
Draper as a Corporate Consultant
Draper as a Magician
Draper as a Medical Consultant
Categories: American magiciansLiving people1978 birthsMentalistsAmerican anthropologists