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New Jersey mentalist Michael McLaughlin performing mind reading on stage with a volunteer

New Jersey mentalist and mind reader

Mind reading, three ways

Strolling mentalism

I move through a cocktail hour or a reception, a few people at a time. No stage, no microphone, nothing for the venue to set up. I tell one guest what they are thinking, then the person beside them, and within twenty minutes the room has stopped talking about anything else. Guests who have never met start comparing notes about what just happened to them, which is the fastest way I know to warm up a room full of strangers. Best for cocktail hours, receptions, trade show booths and holiday parties.

The seated mind reading show

Thirty to fifty minutes for a room that is seated and already facing the same direction. One shared moment the whole room talks about afterwards, rather than fifty separate ones. I have worked audiences up to four hundred comfortably. It is the kind of thing that makes a VP say "there's no way... that's impossible" out loud in front of two hundred people. I bring a microphone and AV where the room needs it, I work to whatever slot you give me, and I finish when I said I would. Best for awards dinners, galas, sales kickoffs and after dinner entertainment.

Corporate Mind Reading

Your material, built into the mind reading. A product name, the theme for the year, a number nobody in the room should know, sealed in an envelope before anyone sits down. I work with your content team beforehand so the reveal lands on the thing you actually want remembered. Your message gets across, and nobody checks their phone while it does. Best for conferences, product launches, incentive trips and client appreciation evenings.

See Mike in action

About

Mind reading across New Jersey

Portrait of Michael McLaughlin, corporate magician and mentalist based in Philadelphia

I'm based in Philadelphia, which puts most of New Jersey closer to me than it is to New York. South Jersey and the Shore are a short drive over the bridge, and Central and North Jersey are an easy run up the Turnpike, so I arrive early and ready, not off a long day of travel.

 

I've performed at Borgata and Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, and I work corporate offices, country clubs, hotel ballrooms and private homes across the state.

 

South Jersey: Cherry Hill, Haddonfield, Moorestown, Mount Laurel, Voorhees

The Shore: Atlantic City, Ocean City, Cape May

Central Jersey: Princeton, New Brunswick, Trenton

North Jersey: Morristown, Parsippany, Short Hills, Hoboken, Jersey City

 

Mentalism is entertainment, not psychic claims. Nobody is embarrassed and nothing private gets exposed, which is why it works so well for a room full of colleagues. After more than twenty years in corporate America, I know how your event runs, and I work to whatever time slot you give me.

 

I carry performer liability insurance and can send any New Jersey venue a certificate naming them, which most country clubs and hotels ask for.

Proof

Real rooms, real reactions

"We brought Mike in as a nice complement to a cocktail reception, but instead, he became the main event. The whole room followed him around, chasing the next trick, because once people saw one they wanted more. Mike is genuinely talented, has great energy, and is a crowd-pleaser in a room that's not easy to win over; we'll definitely be bringing him back."

 

Christine R. Felice, SVP, Mitchell & Ness Commerce

 

"Mike is magic! We hired Mike for my 40th at a winery and all I can remember is random screams of amazement among the crowd. He is flawless in his execution and left us all in awe. My family and friends talked about his performance for weeks!"

 

Ankur Patel, 40th birthday celebration

 

"Michael was absolutely incredible! We had him at our end-of-summer carnival party, and he completely captivated the entire crowd. With a big party, it's not easy to hold everyone's attention, but he had people gathered around, laughing, amazed, and genuinely trying to figure out how he was doing what he was doing! Our guests were talking about him all night and even afterwards."

 

Kejal Bhatt, end of summer party

 

Below, photographs from real events, taken on the night, with real guests reacting in real time. Ballrooms, cocktail receptions, hotel function rooms and convention stages across the East Coast.

Michael McLaughlin performing on stage in front of a seated audience at a corporate event

Volunteers from the room

Two guests who walked in as strangers, now standing next to me in front of a full house. Nobody is planted and nobody is the punchline.

Michael McLaughlin performing strolling close-up magic for guests at a crowded black tie gala

A full room

Cocktail hour at a black tie gala, guests closing in on both sides. No stage and no microphone, just a room full of people who came over to see what everyone was looking at.

Michael McLaughlin with his performance case beside the event poster at an annual charity gala

Black tie season

Arriving for an annual charity gala. One case, no setup, ready before the doors open.

Partial client list

Vanguard · Insight Partners · Alimera Sciences

New American Funding · Fox Chase Cancer Center

Mitchell & Ness · Marriott · Wyndham · AtlantiCare

Mohonk Mountain House · Borgata · Harrah's

Ocean Casino Resort · Live! Casino · SugarHouse Casino

Disney Cruise Line

Questions I get asked

How long do you perform?

Once I know a bit more about your event, I will come back with a recommendation on the length and the format that fits it best.

 

What do you need from the venue?

Strolling needs no stage, no sound and no setup. I simply start. For a seated show I need somewhere the whole room can see me, and a small riser helps past about 80 guests. I bring my own microphone and speaker if the venue has none.

 

Do you perform in North Jersey as well as South Jersey?

Yes, the whole state, from Cape May to Hoboken. Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, DC, New York and Connecticut are standard too.

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Is it right for a mixed audience?

Yes. Nothing in the show is off color, nothing embarrasses a volunteer, and nothing needs explaining to the client's boss afterwards.

 

Insurance and dress?

I carry performer liability insurance and can send your venue a certificate on request. Standard dress is a dark suit. Black tie or a costume brief is no problem if your evening calls for it.

Contact

Tell me about your event

Send the date, the venue and roughly how many guests. You'll hear back the same day with what I'd do and what it costs.

Event type
How did you find me?
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