On Tuesday October 7th at 8:00 pm, hypnotist Michael Brody hosted a hypnotism fundraiser supporting West Bloomfield High school’s theatre program. Brody explains hypnosis to be a mental trick that consists of concentration, relaxation, and imagination. To become hypnotized a person must have energy and have lots of focus in order to go into a deep state of hypnosis.

Volunteers went on stage to experience how it felt to be hypnotized. Volunteers were oblivious to anything they did while under hypnosis. Students went into a deep sleep just from the sound of Brody’s voice. While under hypnosis, the students experienced things like having illusions about meeting their favorite celebrity, being on a tropical paradise island, meeting the person of their dreams, and much more.

The reactions of the students were priceless. Under the hypnosis the students jumped into the lap of their favorite “celebrity,”  fell asleep on the person next to them, or dreamt that they met the person of their dreams, and in one case even attempted to remove their pants! This was all while under a spell created by their own imagination.The scenarios and the volunteers made the audience laugh up a storm. The students and parents in the audience were amazed by the events taking place on the stage that seemed so surreal.

Audience member and sophomore student Avery Ribiat says, “ Michael Brody has the ability to make even the most cross people laugh; that’s the best part about theatre. It makes you laugh and I enjoy the journey it takes me on.” Audience members were taken on a journey as they experienced the wonders of hypnotism. Students express great enthusiasm for the event, they decided to share their thoughts with us.

“I thought that the hypnotist show was an amazing experience. Never in my life have I seen something so surreal and mind blowing. Mr. Brody did an amazing job and I would love to see something like that again soon. I think the school should do events like that more often.” – Erica Jones, Grade 9
“It was one of the weirdest things I’ve seen. I always thought that hypnosis was fake, but I guess I was wrong.”- Duncan Enwright Grade 10
“Mr. Brody is an amazing performer and put on a great show like always. I absolutely loved it!” Madeline Hughes, Grade 11
“It was so much fun! Mr. Brody is awesome and everyone was just laughing the whole time. Whether you believe in hypnosis or not, it’s still great! Watching people get hypnotized was definitely the highlight of my week, I’m looking forward to the next time I can see Mr. Brody perform.” Sarah Rasmussen, Grade 10

The hypnotism show was an amazing way to raise funds, and bring students together. Events such as these are an amazing way to raise awareness and to bring together students in a fun and inventive way to have a great time. Students were able to see their peers in a different light. Often times students do not get a chance to get to know the people around them, but hypnosis offers a way to reveal interests and likes of people that we may not otherwise know. Mr. Brody does shows throughout the year, so be sure to get ready to close your eyes and be hypnotized.