Hypnotizing the Rock
Michael C. Anthony to use his powers to entrance students
By Dan Hooven
Issue date: 2/13/04 Section: Entertainment
Most people like to think that they are in control of their thoughts and actions. However, many students have found that sometimes these things can be directed by others through the act of hypnotism.
Hypnotist Michael C. Anthony will be performing at Slippery Rock University on Thursday at 8 p.m. in the MPR of the University Union. Anthony has achieved international fame through his unique brand of entertainment and has hypnotized over 15,000 people worldwide. Aside from entertaining, Anthony is known to use his hypnotizing ability to help cure phobias.
On the Jan. 2, 2002 edition of the Ananda Lewis show, Anthony used hypnotism to help various guests overcome their fears. Laura, one of the guests, suffered from Ophidiophobia, which is the fear of snakes. Using various hypnotic methods, Anthony cured her after numerous sessions and in the conclusion, she could hold snakes in her hands.
"See The Show or Be The Show" is the theme of Anthony's performance as the show places a large emphasis on audience participation. From the moment Anthony steps on stage, he focuses directly at the audience. The first thing Anthony does is asks the crowd to think of relevant figures such as their birthdays, social security numbers or phone numbers. Anthony then selects volunteers through what he describes as "mentalist miracles" and reveals the personal information he asked them to think of. Anthony then moves onto the hypnotizing portion and lets the audience have a little fun.
Hypnotists have visited Slippery Rock University on numerous occasions and have elicited a great response from the student body. Past shows similar to Anthony's have left various students anxious for more hypnotic performances. Sophomore Josh Mitchell participated in a hypnosis demonstration last year and is looking forward to attending this show.
"I'll never forget last year when I volunteered to be hypnotized. I was hypnotized to think I was drunk. I was pretty skeptical at first. I was just going to play along, but it actually worked. It was weird. Like, I knew where I was, but couldn't control what I was doing. Apparently, I ended up dancing and singing, 'Living on A Prayer' by Bon Jovi,'" Mitchell said. "It was fun, but I think this time around I'll stay in the audience."
Sophomore James Collier is also looking forward to Anthony's visit.
"It should be fun. I haven't been to one of these types of acts since high school. I was hypnotized once in high school and ended up dancing in my underwear on stage in front of 500 people, but it was fun and I'll volunteer again if given the chance," Collier said.
Students re-enacting Madonna acts, scratching madly at invisible bugs and even students being hypnotized so that they can't remember their name are just a few experiences shared at past Anthony shows. From believers to skeptics, Anthony encourages everybody to witness the power of hypnosis.
Hypnotist Michael C. Anthony will be performing at Slippery Rock University on Thursday at 8 p.m. in the MPR of the University Union. Anthony has achieved international fame through his unique brand of entertainment and has hypnotized over 15,000 people worldwide. Aside from entertaining, Anthony is known to use his hypnotizing ability to help cure phobias.
On the Jan. 2, 2002 edition of the Ananda Lewis show, Anthony used hypnotism to help various guests overcome their fears. Laura, one of the guests, suffered from Ophidiophobia, which is the fear of snakes. Using various hypnotic methods, Anthony cured her after numerous sessions and in the conclusion, she could hold snakes in her hands.
"See The Show or Be The Show" is the theme of Anthony's performance as the show places a large emphasis on audience participation. From the moment Anthony steps on stage, he focuses directly at the audience. The first thing Anthony does is asks the crowd to think of relevant figures such as their birthdays, social security numbers or phone numbers. Anthony then selects volunteers through what he describes as "mentalist miracles" and reveals the personal information he asked them to think of. Anthony then moves onto the hypnotizing portion and lets the audience have a little fun.
Hypnotists have visited Slippery Rock University on numerous occasions and have elicited a great response from the student body. Past shows similar to Anthony's have left various students anxious for more hypnotic performances. Sophomore Josh Mitchell participated in a hypnosis demonstration last year and is looking forward to attending this show.
"I'll never forget last year when I volunteered to be hypnotized. I was hypnotized to think I was drunk. I was pretty skeptical at first. I was just going to play along, but it actually worked. It was weird. Like, I knew where I was, but couldn't control what I was doing. Apparently, I ended up dancing and singing, 'Living on A Prayer' by Bon Jovi,'" Mitchell said. "It was fun, but I think this time around I'll stay in the audience."
Sophomore James Collier is also looking forward to Anthony's visit.
"It should be fun. I haven't been to one of these types of acts since high school. I was hypnotized once in high school and ended up dancing in my underwear on stage in front of 500 people, but it was fun and I'll volunteer again if given the chance," Collier said.
Students re-enacting Madonna acts, scratching madly at invisible bugs and even students being hypnotized so that they can't remember their name are just a few experiences shared at past Anthony shows. From believers to skeptics, Anthony encourages everybody to witness the power of hypnosis.
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