Saturday, Friday Night Fever is bringing mentalist Reed Barrett to campus.
Barrett combines mentalism and close-up magic in order to achieve a unique and intimate experience for individual audiences, according to Barrett’s website. Barrett’s show focuses on the idea of psychological suggestion and is backed by his background in psychology. Barrett graduated from the University of Wyoming with a degree in psychology and served in the U.S. Air Force as a pilot. Barrett is now a full-time professional magician and has performed in many places including the former residence of Charlie Chaplin in California and the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas. Barrett offers three types of performance, which include group presentations, walk around magic and stage show.
Barrett said that he is excited to be heading back to UW to perform his newest show.
Q: What made you want to get into being a mentalist?
A: I became thrilled with magic when I was 8 years old. My late father showed me my very first trick and I became hooked. As I began taking the art more seriously I wanted to branch out and do things no one had ever seen in the states. Mentalism was my key to being different as a performer, it’s an art that has barely seen any airtime in the United States and is extremely personal to the spectator.
Q: What does being a mentalist mean?
A: The term mentalism is easily confused and is more commonly heard of as a mind reader. As a mentalist I blur the line between reality and impossibility. It’s a very fair art, and by that I mean there are no smoke and mirrors, no stooges, only the audience and myself.
Q: What will your show bring to the UW campus?
A: My show will bring something students have never seen before. Without revealing too much, the show itself elicits desecrate sensations within the brain and allows your subconscious to take control. People will forget how to read, audience members will become the mentalist, and well, I can’t reveal the best part of the show, you’ll just have to come see it for yourself!
Q: What’s in the future for you?
A: I can’t wait to see what the future holds, I’ve had the opportunity to perform in some of the most amazing venues in the country and feel extremely lucky to be doing this as a full time job. In the end I hope I can share my talent with the world, there’s nothing better than seeing your audience walk away from your show with a huge smile and wonderful memories they’ll speak about for years to come.
Barrett will be performing in the lower level of the Union on Saturday at 9 p.m.
