Paul W. Draper
Paul Draper (born 1978 in Salt Lake City, Utah) is a Mentalist, magician, actor, film maker and anthropologist. As of 2008, he is the house magician at the Venetian Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
Career
Before embarking on a career in magic and mentalism in Las Vegas, Paul received his degrees in Anthropology in Utah.
Early in Draper's career he gave lectures at national and international academic conferences in the field of anthropology. In 2003, he was an instructor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and taught several classes in the field of Communication Studies.
Draper appeared alongside David Copperfield, Lance Burton and Teller as an expert on the History Channel’s special "Houdini: Unlocking the Mystery".
He is also been a frequent performer at:
- The World Famous Magic Castle in Hollywood, California.
- Mystique in Boise, Idaho
- Monday Night Magic in New York, New York
- Magicopolis in Santa Monica, California
- Mystery School in Las Vegas, Nevada
- 2nd Monday Magic in Bakersfield, California
- Wonderground in Las Vegas, Nevada
- Wizardz Magic Theater in Orlando, Florida
With Nathan Meier, co-owner of the production company "Mask Films LLC", Draper is working on his second documentary film. "Mr. Clown" starring Earl Chaney the son of Lon Chaney, Jr..
As an actor Draper has numerous Regional and Summer Stock musical theater credits. Draper is a Bass/ Baritone with a solid 2.5 Octave range (E Flat below the staff - High G above middle C).
Awards
- 2009 Houdini Award winner for "Best Mentalist"
- 2003 PCAM 1st Place award winner for Mentalism
- Volunteer Award 2003 for the National Conference of Community and Justice. Formally the National Conference of Christians and Jews (NCCJ A human rights, leadership, advocacy and education organization since 1927).
- Meier and Draper's first documentary "Nathan's Story: Teenage Sex and Fatherhood" won the Rocky Mountain regional Emmy award for Best Documentary in Cultural Affairs in 2002.
- "Inheritance" winner of Best Acting and 2nd runner up for Best Picture 2010 Las Vegas 48hr Film Festival
- "The Pitch" winner of Audience Favorite and best writing in the 2009 Salt Lake City 48hr Film Festival
- Irene Ryan Acting Award. A national university theater award. 2000
- American College Theater Association national Theatrical Management award. 1999
- 1997 Finalist in Original Oratory in the National competition of the National Forensic League (NFL)
Works
- Nathan's Story: Teenage Sex and Fatherhood, documentary KUED Channel 7 Utah 3/29/2001
- Mr. Clown, documentary (in-process)
- "Level Up" short. 2011 Utah 48 Hour Film Festival
- "Inheritance" short. 2010 Vegas 48 Hour Film Festival
- "Choices", short. 2010 Utah 48 Hour Film Festival
- "The Pitch", short. 2009 Utah 48 Hour Film Festival
Film and television appearances
- The History Channel, "Houdini: Unlocking the Mystery"
- A&E, "Criss Angel's Mindfreak: Burning Man"
- Oxogen Network, "Hairbattle Spectacular 2: I'm a Beautician, Not a Magician"
- Steven Spielberg, "Poltergeist (25th Anniversary Edition)"
- HGTV, "House Hunters Las Vegas episode 1-5"
- 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)
Publications
- 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)
- 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)
Media References
- TheTechHerald.com: May 16 2011 "Sony’s CEO shows confidence and concern during video address"
- HitExchange: Healthcare Business & Technology March/April 2011 "Implementing Electronic Medical Records: Advice from the Trenches"
- Disney Family Fun Magazine: March 2011 "Magic"
- AskMen.com: December 2010 "Is The New Vegas Good For Guys?"
- Aol News: August 2010 "Geeks Get 'Anime-ted' With Cosplay"
- Becker's Hospital Review: August 2010 "5 Best Practices to Retain Top Hospital Leaders"
- Las Vegas Weekly: July 2010 "Magician Paul Draper reads minds in Vegas" http://www.lasvegasweekly.com/news/2010/jul/28/magician-paul-draper/
- Classical Singer: February 2010 "Dating and the Singer" Page 54-57
- Glamour Magazine: December 2009 "Life & Happiness" Page 203
- AP: December 2009 "How to beef up your tech skills to stay competitive"
- Psychology Today: September / October 2009 "The Wholesome Guide to Misbehaving"
- Allen, Stan, "Magic magazine" June 2009 "Paul Draper: Making his Mark" by Dave Goodsell http://www.mentalmysteries.com/newsletter/08/images/Paul_Draper_HI-RES.pdf
- The Magic Newswire: April 2009 "MNW #106: Paul Draper"
- Corporate Entertainer Magazine: March 2009 "Paul Draper – A World of Pure Imagination"
- iTricks Interviews: February 2009: iTricks Interviews Paul Draper on YouTube Parts 1-3
- Essential Magic Conference interview: July 2010: "Mentalist"
- McBride Magic and Meaning Pep Talks: October 2008: "Anthropological Cold Reading"
- Metaphor Literary Journal: 2001 & 2002. Volume 22 and 23. (Photography)
Professional Membership
- American Anthropology Association
- Society for the Anthropology of Consciousness
- Society for Medical Anthropology
- Society for Visual Anthropology
- Western States Communication Association
- International Brotherhood of Magicians
- Intermountain Magicians Association
- Pacific Coast Association of Magicians
- The Academy of Magical Arts and Sciences (Magic Castle)
- The Elders
- The Inclusion Center: National Conference for Community and Justice
- Weber State University Alumni Association
Charities
Paul Draper has sat on the board of or continues to be a major contributor of time and money to the following charities
Conferences
ORGANIZED AND CHAIRED SESSIONS AT CONFERENCES
- 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Anthropological Association. November 19-23 2003 Chicago, Illinois
• 2003 The Cultural Impact and Methods of the Spiritualist Movement in America and Europe: Participant, Organizer and Chair: Paul W. Draper, Univ. of Nevada Las-Vegas.
- Western States Communication Association Annual Conference. February 13-17 2004 Albuquerque, New Mexico
• Theoretical and Critical Approaches to Instructional Communication Presented by the Communication and Instruction Interest Group. Chair: Paul Draper, University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
INVITED PARTICIPATION AT CONFERENCES
- 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Anthropological Association. November 19-23 2003 Chicago, Illinois
• 2003 Spiritualism, Embodiment, and Transformations: Papers on the Anthropology of Consciousness Participant: Paul W. Draper,
- Society for the Anthropology of Consciousness April 2-6 2003. Las Vegas, Nevada
• 2003 The Cultural Impact and Methods of the Spiritualist Movement in America and Europe: 1840-1920 • 2003 From Shaman to Modern Showman: Performance Magic & Consciousness
- University of Utah 17th NCUR. March 2003 Salt Lake City, Utah
• 2003 The American Spiritualist Movement 1840-1920. • 2003 Modern Day Psychics, Seers and their Methods. • 2003 Fieldwork and Ethnography: A Study of Live Action Role Playing In Utah, USA.
- Hawaii International Conference on Social Sciences. June 2003 Honolulu, Hawaii:
• 2003 Modern Day Psychics, Seers and their Methods. • 2003 Fieldwork and Ethnography: A Study of Live Action Role Playing In Utah, USA.
Minister
As of October 10, 2009 Diana Alba, County Clerk of Clark County, Nevada certified Paul Draper as an ordained member of the clergy and authorized him to solemnize marriages in the State of Nevada.
Paul performs these ceremonies gratis as a community service to the entertainment community:
- Tyler & Mistie Knight 4.23.10
- Jeff & Joanne Celentano 4.26.10
- Dan & Temika Sperry 5.14.10
- Rolan & Melanie Whitt 6.10.10
- Robert & Shantell Ledgerwood 8.7.10 (Renewal)
- Mike & Lara Khajetoorians Larkin 1.29.11
- Mark & Carla Pollard 8.8.11
- Josh & Morgan Levenberg 10.9.11
External links
Notes
[1] Allen, Stan, "Magic magazine" June 2009 "Paul Draper: Making his Mark" by Dave Goodsell. Retrieved 2009-06-15.
Persondata |
Name |
Draper, Paul |
Alternative names |
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Short description |
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Date of birth |
October 31, 1978 |
Place of birth |
Salt Lake City, United States |
Date of death |
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Place of death |
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