Tom Deluca “hip-notizes” WFU

By Pam Barrett
336.758.5237
October 24, 2003

Renowned comedy hypnotist Tom DeLuca will perform “The Greatest Hypnosis Show in the World” at Wake Forest University Nov. 7 at 8 p.m. in Wait Chapel.

Tickets will be available at the door for $5. The box office at the chapel will open at 6 p.m., and the doors open at 7 p.m. The event is sponsored by the Wake Forest Student Union.

Considered one of the “hippest” college entertainment shows in the nation, DeLuca’s show is all about imagination. Through relaxation techniques and the power of suggestion, he empowers people to access their untapped creative imaginations by breaking through their mental barriers and giving them permission to have fun in the process.

DeLuca coins his performance “imaginism” rather than hypnotism. According to him, “imaginism” shows how inventive people can be when they are relaxed and free of pressure.

Many people have false ideas about hypnosis, according to the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH). People fear that being hypnotized will make them lose control or surrender their will and result in domination or foolishness. But, a hypnotic state is not the same as gullibility or weakness, says the ASCH. In hypnosis, people are not under the control of the hypnotist. Rather, they are in a state of inner absorption, concentration and focused attention that allows them to use more of their potential.

DeLuca, who earned a master’s degree in psychology from the University of Illinois, recognizes the importance of such potential, particularly that of the imagination. After college, he began stage performing before local civic groups while working as a therapist. Eventually, he gained national prominence as a stage performer.

He has been featured in People and Rolling Stone magazines, The Wall Street Journal and on both “Good Morning America” and “Dateline NBC.”

Today, DeLuca is one of the most outstanding college acts in America and was named the National Association for Campus Activities (NACA) “Variety Entertainer of the Year” in 2002.

He also performs his hypnosis show and his breakthrough stress-prevention workshop, “The Power Napping® Workshop for Less Stress” for Fortune 500 companies and associations across the country.

For more information, call the Wake Forest Student Union at 336-758-5697.

NOTE TO THE EDITOR: To arrange coverage or an interview, contact Pam Barrett at 336-758-4144 or barretpm@wfu.edu.

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