Paul W Draper

Born in Utah in 1978, Draper first became interested in magic when family members discovered Showplace Magic and Novelty in Salt Lake City.[4]

Draper began performing magic for his friends at age 8 and continued performing throughout his school years, lettering in debate, choir, and drama.[4]

In his high school years, he also became a national debate champion in original oratory and a state drama champion in pantomime.[4] 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.[4]

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.[5]

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.[6]

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.[6][7][8]

In 2004, Draper gave up his academic career to follow his "childhood passion" of magic and mentalism, according to an interview with Psychology Today.[7] 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.[9][10][11][12] “Nothing I do uses psychic power," Draper said in an interview with Psychology Today. "All I use is influence and persuasion.”[9]

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.[9][13] Eventually, Draper evolved his performance to blend magic and the "science" behind mentalism: perception, attention, and observation play key roles.[14] 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.[15]

In 2014, the International Magician’s Society awarded Draper the prestigious Merlin Award for Best Corporate Performer.[16]

He has lectured on these topics at Yale University, Apple Cupertino Headquarters, the University of Utah,[17] the University of Southern California,[18] the Magic Castle in Hollywood and The Magic Circle in London.[19]

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.[5][20][21] He has appeared alongside David Copperfield, Lance Burton, and Teller on the History Channel as a consultant and expert.[22] He appeared as a magician on Hair Battle Spectacular and as a scorpion handler in Guerilla Magic.[18] In March 2018 Draper was the guest scholar[23] for an episode of What'sHerName women's history podcast on "Queen of Magic" Adelaide Herrmann.[24][25]

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.[26][27]

He regularly appears at Comic Con events and acts as moderator in celebrity panel interviews.[28]

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.[8][14] He also uses his performance to build self-esteem and agency in children.[29] He frequently consults for medical companies, coaching employees on various communication methods.[8]

He has designed special effects for theater and acted as a religious advisor for theater companies, drawing on his Jewish faith background.[30][31] Paul Draper was also featured in an article by Makezine on his historical knowledge of Houdini's Legacy and Magicians in the Maker community.[32][33]

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.[34]

Draper sits on the Board of Directors for the Inclusion Center for Community and Justice.[35]

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
• Disneyland, Anaheim, California
• 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

During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic Draper began offering live magic shows over streaming platforms. He has been described as a pioneer in this field, also offering two educational lectures to assist other performers.[2][3] Draper's online presentations include corporate speaking as well as family entertainment and school shows, and he regularly has thousands of viewers participating in his online streamed performances.

• 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[36]
• 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

• The Hallmark Channel[37][38]
• 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"
• What'sHerName women's history podcast,[23] "THE DISAPPEARING WOMAN: Adelaide Herrmann" [24][25]
• The Magic Word Podcast, "An Hour With Paul Draper" February 2013
• Penguin Magic Podcast with Erik Tait
• The Branding For Entertainers Podcast, "Demystifying The Online Show with guest Paul Draper" Ep. 09, 2020
• The Magician's Code Podcast with Hadlen, "Manifesting Mystery (feat. Paul Draper)" Episode #009

• M-U-M Magazine columnist "On Second Thought..." 2018-2020 [39]
• Penguin Magic Downloadable Lecture "Create a Professional LIVE Broadcasting Studio for Under $200"
• Penguin Magic Downloadable Lecture "Magic and Showmanship for Online Shows"
• Penguin Magic Live Act Lecture [40]
• Penguin Magic Live Lecture[36]
• Murphy's Magic At the Table Experience[41]
• 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)

• "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)

• Draper as a Personality
• Draper as a Corporate Consultant
• Draper as a Magician
• Draper as a Medical Consultant