Hypnotist Tom DeLuca

Central Michigan University students found themselves embarrassed after using their creativity to fuel a successful show on campus Wednesday night.

Well-known hypnotist Tom DeLuca is no stranger to CMU’s campus. He made his annual appearance and chose 25 volunteers from the audience to join him on stage.

DeLuca hypnotized the entire group by playing soft music, while teaching them to breathe a certain way with their eyes closed. Soon after, heads lowered and DeLuca was ready to entertain.

He started by making them believe they were driving Ferrari’s, while speeding away from police and avoiding a dog in the road. Their reactions were believable.

DeLuca chose specific individuals to perform various tasks. “The person’s head I’m tapping right now, deep, deep asleep,” he said. “When you hear me say Mt. Pleasant, you’re going to think you’re Central’s ultimate cheerleader.”

CMU sophomore Matt Loomis got the audience involved with various cheers and movements.

Loomis only remembers being summoned onto the stage and “waking up at the end.” His friends revealed the humorous acts he performed.

“I really did that,” Loomis said. “I wish someone had it on video.”

Two men were hypnotized to be professional ballerinas and they danced their way around the stage and with each other.

The entire show lasted almost two hours and drew continuous laughter and amusement from the audience.

CMU junior Kristen Hales described her experience as “dream-like” and said mentally she was full of energy, but her body was exhausted.

“I have no idea what just happened,” Hales said. “I’m going to wear a bag over my head to classes.”

Hales was probably tired after dancing to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” when she did an impressive moon-walk dance.

“Keep your eye on her, she’s dangerous,” DeLuca said.

Another woman was dubbed “Chief of Fun Police” so anytime the audience laughed she reacted angrily.

CMU junior Audrey Martin was in the audience and was caught off guard when the woman spoke directly at her for “having too much fun.”

“She threatened she’d put me in jail,” Martin said. “It kind of scared me when she was yelling right at me.”

On The Fly Productions hosted the annual event, which was free to the public.
Nearly every seat in Warriner Hall was filled and no one left disappointed.