2008 Woodie Awards
You are getting very sleepy....
Hypnotist Christopher Carter mezmorized students Saturday night
Allan Lewis
Issue date: 8/26/08 Section: A&E
Award winning mentalist and Springfield native Christopher Carter wowed a large audience in the Morris University Center's Meridian Ballroom Saturday night, reading minds, uncovering audience member's secrets and putting them to sleep with the snap of his finger.
While Carter knocked audience participants into a deep trance, those off stage stood alert and in awe throughout his two hour mind-boggling performance.
"He was funny and definitely captivated his audience," junior biology and medical science major Dylan Downs said. "The whole thing was great."
On average, Carter performs 230 shows in a given year, 170 of which he estimates are on college campuses. Aside from his rigorous touring schedule, Carter has also released multiple self-help CDs, dealing with anything from kicking the nicotine habit to becoming a more social person.
Coordinator of Greek life John Davenport said the Interfraternity Council brought Carter in at the recommendation of Campus Activities Board.
"This is the fifth year we have brought a hypnotist in after the Playfair," Davenport said. "Chris has been booked at CAB events and was highly recommended by them."
Carter, whose act turned participants into everything from Chippendale dancers to Batman, enjoys the response he gets from audience members during his unique performances.
"It's a big adrenaline rush when you unleash the creativity of 20 people on stage," Carter said. "Hypnosis isn't all that I do. I also do a mindreading type thing and that is the other half I am drawn to, and I do that simply because it freaks people out and I love that experience."
Carter said hypnosis has appealed to him since high school when he succumbed to hypnosis for the first time.
"I was in the audience telling everyone how it was going to be bogus, and then all of a sudden I woke up on stage and had no idea how I got there," Carter said. "When I was in college, I arranged a summer internship with a hypnotherapist and that's how I really got into it."
While Carter knocked audience participants into a deep trance, those off stage stood alert and in awe throughout his two hour mind-boggling performance.
"He was funny and definitely captivated his audience," junior biology and medical science major Dylan Downs said. "The whole thing was great."
On average, Carter performs 230 shows in a given year, 170 of which he estimates are on college campuses. Aside from his rigorous touring schedule, Carter has also released multiple self-help CDs, dealing with anything from kicking the nicotine habit to becoming a more social person.
Coordinator of Greek life John Davenport said the Interfraternity Council brought Carter in at the recommendation of Campus Activities Board.
"This is the fifth year we have brought a hypnotist in after the Playfair," Davenport said. "Chris has been booked at CAB events and was highly recommended by them."
Carter, whose act turned participants into everything from Chippendale dancers to Batman, enjoys the response he gets from audience members during his unique performances.
"It's a big adrenaline rush when you unleash the creativity of 20 people on stage," Carter said. "Hypnosis isn't all that I do. I also do a mindreading type thing and that is the other half I am drawn to, and I do that simply because it freaks people out and I love that experience."
Carter said hypnosis has appealed to him since high school when he succumbed to hypnosis for the first time.
"I was in the audience telling everyone how it was going to be bogus, and then all of a sudden I woke up on stage and had no idea how I got there," Carter said. "When I was in college, I arranged a summer internship with a hypnotherapist and that's how I really got into it."
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