Mentalism Center

Quote of the Week: Theodore Annemann

The Jinx feels infinite. Almost 20 years studying Mentalism and I am still finding gems from Theo.

Are you doing those "cliche" actions in your performance? I hope not.

Ted is right. You dont need to over-communicate whatever you want to express. That in itself is a signal of deception and "fooling". Maybe the audience doesnt know what is the secret, but they feel that what you say is not truth, and thats enough to break the reality of your ambiance.

Use subtlety, apply indirection, learn how to use suggestion in sophisticated manners so your performance can shine without any blockage.

Thats why is SO important to write a script. Thats a fantastic habit to integrate as Mystery Performer, no matter if you are a hobbiest/social or professional. Treat your work as art, and it will become your art.

If you want to learn the art of scripting, check our "Scripting for Mystery Performers" course and be ready to de-construct your act.

Thanks Theo for your perennial insights.

ESP Dowsing

https://ideaspendulums.blogspot.com/

A casual performance of one of my favorite creations. Learn the core principle that I applied in here and MUCH more at my book "Ideas about Pendulums"

The Amazing Dunninger

Enjoy the Master Dunninger, one of our essential fathers in Mentalism.

PS: Watch the credits at the end

Quote of the Week: Harry Blackstone Jr.

What a fantastic insight, so relevant for us as Mentalists!

And what a brave Magician one must be to go beyond the comfortable space of shiny objects and magical items to understand this fundamental principle. Props are symbols, they receive our intention and energy of course, and they can be flashy and amazing for sure, but YOU are the Mystery, YOU are the Magic.

Years ago I was with as student in an online session and he asked me about "openers". He told me that his "opener" was the classic "Mental Epic" . He entered the stage with that giant board in his hands and started his show.

I asked him: "what if you use a table in which you can leave the board and just enter with your own presence and body as opener?"

Mental Epic is a cool classic for sure, but do you want to be memorable for being yourself or being the guy with the board?

Props are tools, but the real Mystery Performers understand this principle.

Propless Mentalism teaches us that. There is no object in view so YOU need to deliver interesting conversation, powerful ideas to imagine and a meaningful connection.

https://thestaircasestepone.blogspot.com/

If you are interested in powerful ideas about propless be sure to check Matt Overd latest release!

New eBook from Matt Overd !

https://thestaircasestepone.blogspot.com/

If you care about strong mentalism, this is for you.

The Staircase: Getting into mentalism without the dusty old tome A new multi-part series designed to be a modern, unofficial reimagining of 13 Steps to Mentalism. Rebuilt for the way mentalism is actually performed today.

Quote of the Week: Walt Whitman

We start 2026 with a needed insight from master poet Walt Whitman.

Peace, that fundamental state of being that we can cultivate in our own living and in our performances. We need peace, our participants and audience need peace.

Is your performance offering peace?

Recently Im working in several pieces focused into all these wonderful virtues and states of being. You can see some of that in "Clarity" but the potential of Mentalism as catalyst of needed human experiences is huge.

If peace is always beautiful, and Mentalism can be a beautiful experience (through artistry) we can find fascinating ways to explore new scripts and approaches to whatever we perform.

Seek beauty, seek peace.