The Quad

Issue date: 10/10/06 Section: Entertainment

When the snap of his fingers echoed vibrantly throughout Asplundh Concert Hall, the volunteers were asleep and willing to comply to even the whisper of his voice.

Five hundred students and family members watched in amazement as Dale K, hypnotist and comedian, stood on stage in front of 15 dazed participants on the campus of West Chester University Friday night.

Only moments before, Dale K selected 20 anxious volunteers to experience the power of hypnosis. The lights dimmed, melodious music escalated synonymously with both Dale K's instructions and the heart rate of the eager crowd.

"Focus on my hand and take a deep breath" said Dale K. "It will be your visual anchor." The volunteers obeyed synchronously-even before the hypnosis took full effect.

"Stare at the ceiling and allow your eyes to grow heavy," said Dale K. "Don't force them shut. Let your eyes rest as I count backwards. Five. Four."

Slowly, the volunteers sank deeper into their chairs. "Three. Two. One," said Dale K. The volunteers' posture slouched as their heads fell heavily onto the shoulder of the person next to them. Soon, the participants slipped into a coma like an overdose of tranquilizers- entranced only by the monotonous repetition of his voice.

Dale K sieved through the volunteers, telling the ones who appeared least hypnotized to leave the stage, and allowing the participants under the strongest influence to remain.

"From now on you will respond to my every suggestion without hesitation," said Dale K. "We will tap into your imagination and your physical body. Just listen to my voice." The power of hypnosis was proven early on the participants who had difficulty "ungluing" their clenched hands.

Others were lifted out of their seats as Dale K suggested they held a large helium balloon in their hands. These volunteers then fell to the floor as Dale K made a large "popping" noise into the microphone.

The audience showed their appreciation for the show with roars of laughter and appropriate applause.

The power of suggestive hypnosis was not only an exhibition of Dale K's ability to manipulate the volunteers' behavior, but the crowd's uproarious laughter fueled his imaginative exploits.

"The temperature is dropping quickly in this room," said Dale K. "It's 40 degrees, 30 degrees, 20 degrees." The volunteers shivered, added layers of clothing, and huddled together to share each others body warmth as he counted down. "Freeze," said Dale K. The volunteers remained immobilized like statues. Dale K took out a small camera and took a picture of them clinging to each other.

Continued...

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