Paul W. Draper

Paul Draper is an anthropologist, academic, and an award-winning mentalist, magician, and film maker. As an anthropologist and communications expert specializing in the cognitive science of religious beliefs, he has lectured at Fortune 500 companies and universities. As the creator of the show Mental Mysteries, Draper blends his academic background as an anthropologist and communications expert with the arts of mentalism and magic. Draper performed live streaming shows during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Paul Draper had an article published in "Anthropology News" in 2023 for the American Anthropological Association. The entire issue of the magazine focused on magicians as collectors of magic artifacts.

Draper was elected to the leadership Council of The Magic Circle in 2023, a London-based British organization and one of the oldest magical societies in the world.

Following a successful Kickstarter campaign his book On Second Thought ... Mentalism, Meaning, and Performance was published in 2026 .

Early life

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

The first full-length magic show that he saw was at the 49th Street Galleria when he was 7 and then developed his own show and started performing for his grade school every year.

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

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

Career 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. 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.

In 2014, the International Magician's Society awarded Draper the prestigious Merlin Award for Best Corporate Performer.

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

Draper has appeared as himself in 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. He has appeared alongside David Copperfield, Lance Burton, and Teller on the History Channel as a consultant and expert. He appeared as a magician on Hair Battle Spectacular and as a scorpion handler in Guerilla Magic. for an episode of What'sHerName women's history podcast on "Queen of Magic" Adelaide Herrmann.

Draper has also performed as an emcee.

He has appeared at Comic Con as a moderator in a celebrity panel interview.

In addition to performing, Draper also works as a consultant and guest lecturer for businesses.

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

He was profiled in a six-page cover story in the August 2021 edition of The Magic Circular Magazine in London, England, the publication of The Magic Circle. He was previously 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.

He is a member of the senior faculty of the McBride Magic & Mystery School. Draper sits on the board of directors for the Inclusion Center for Community and Justice. thumb

During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic Draper began offering live magic shows over streaming platforms, and presented educational lectures to assist other performers. In February 2026 Paul gave a talk at the University of Cambridge on The Cybersecurity Awareness Experience: A Masterclass in Social Engineering, Behavioral Psychology, and Digital Self-Defense.

In December 2024 Draper appeared on Inside the NBA where he performed for Shaq and Charles Barkley.

Awards

1997 Finalist in Original Oratory, National Forensic League competition 1999 American College Theater Association, National Theatrical Management Award 2000 Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship 2002 PCAM First place award winner for mentalism 2020 Adam Cheyer Adam Award for Virtual Performance 2021 Society of American Magicians Presidential Citation for being the World's Preeminent Virtual Magic Presenter 2026 M-U-M Award of Excellence, Society of American Magicians, in recognition of his monthly column in the society magazine

Film, television and radio/podcasts appearances

Inside the NBA with Shaq and Charles Barkley The Discovery Channel Josh Gates Tonight "Behind Closed Gates" The Hallmark Channel 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, Penguin Magic Podcast with Erik Tait The Branding For Entertainers Podcast, The Magician's Code Podcast with Hadlen, "Manifesting Mystery (feat. Paul Draper)" Episode #009

Publications

Draper, Paul, On Second Thought ... Mentalism, Meaning, and Performance Penguin Magic Live Act Lecture Penguin Magic Live Lecture Murphy's Magic At the Table Experience 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" Draper, Paul and Joseph P. Zompetti. Misinformation, Magic, and Mendacity: Peeking Behind the Curtain to Explore the World of Deception. November 21, 2025.

Contributed chapters, interviews, and photography Houstoun, Will and Thompson, Steve, Video Chat Magic (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 Same Old Lecture Notes" (editor) Ogden, Tom, Idiots Guide to Street Magic (Photographer, talent and consultant)

Works

"Mentalist and Magician Paul Draper Teams Up With Vegas, Broadway, and Late-Night TV Stars", Live Event, 2021 [Ft. Myers, Fla.] "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)