What is mentalism?

Mentalism is a performing art that creates the illusion of extraordinary mental powers, such as mind reading, mind control, and other seemingly impossible feats. It combines elements of magic, psychology, intuition, and showmanship to entertain and mystify audiences. Mentalists employ various techniques, including misdirection, suggestion, and the clever use of information, to create the perception that they possess exceptional mental abilities, while in reality, they are masters of deception and illusion.

Is Kostya psychic or a real mind reader?

Kostya is not a psychic or a genuine mindreader in the supernatural sense. His performances rely on his extensive knowledge of human psychology, emotion, decision-making processes, and motivation. By combining this understanding with the art of magic, misdirection, and performance skills, Kostya creates the illusion that he can read minds and influence thoughts. His true gift lies in his ability to conceal the actual methods he employs and create an unforgettable experience for his audience, leading them to believe he possesses extraordinary mental powers. However, everything Kostya does has a rational explanation rooted in the techniques of theatrical mentalism.

Who is Kostya Kimlat?

Kostya Kimlat is a distinguished magician and mentalist, known as "The Business Magician," on par with the world’s most famous mentalists today. Born in Kyiv, Ukraine, he moved to the U.S. with his family for a better life and discovered his passion for magic. Kostya has achieved global recognition, performing in over 200 cities worldwide. He founded See Magic Live, which trains and books magicians for events, blending his magic and mentalism expertise with business acumen. Notably, Kostya fooled Penn & Teller on their show "Fool Us." He specializes in integrating magic into business contexts, teaching professionals about perception, leadership, and customer service. Transitioning to virtual performances during the pandemic, Kostya has become a sought-after figure for digital presentations as a Zoom magician, continuing to captivate and educate audiences globally with his unique blend of magic and business insight.

What are Kostya’s mentalism shows like?

Kostya’s mentalism shows are dynamic stage performances that showcase his skills in mindreading and illusion, delivering a mind-blowing experience, with a strong ability to captivate an audience. His shows are a unique blend of mentalism and magic, full of seemingly impossible feats. They’re tailored for adult audiences but incorporate clean humor suitable for older children, making them ideal for a wide range of events.

What is Kostya’s ability to engage his audiences during his mentalism performances?

Kostya engages his audiences by using mentalism to interact directly with them, seemingly reading their minds and predicting their actions. His ability to connect with people through his act and the interactive nature of his performances ensure that every show is unique and engaging.

What makes Kostya a master of his craft?

Kostya’s mastery of mentalism stems from his unique ability to forge deep connections with his audiences. Having honed his skills in magic, sleight of hand, and mentalism techniques over many years, he now focuses on creating genuine human bonds rather than relying solely on trickery. His interactive performances seamlessly blend humor and psychology, showcasing seemingly impossible feats of mind-reading while acknowledging the theatrical nature of his craft. Although deception is an essential aspect of mentalism, Kostya’s true gift lies in his ability to establish personal connections with his audience. He stands out as one of the most influential modern mentalists due to his unparalleled skill in engaging and entertaining his audience while maintaining a transparent approach to his art. For Kostya, the real magic lies in the relationships he creates during his performances and the sense of wonder he instills in his audience.

How did Kostya get into mentalism?

Kostya discovered his passion for mentalism gradually. Initially an entertainer focused on card magic tricks, he felt something was missing in his close-up magic and stage shows — a deeper connection with the audience. When he started exploring mentalism, he became fascinated by its blend of psychology, persuasion, and performance. Unlike other magic relying more heavily on technical skills, mentalism places the audience at the center of an interactive, mind-boggling experience. As Kostya delved deeper into theatrical mentalism, he began to appreciate its nuances and subtle complexities in managing perceptions. Most rewarding for him is the joy of forging deep bonds with audiences through mentalism’s aura of mystery and his ability to engage audiences with his unique skills. This unique magic form lets Kostya create lasting memories.

What is the difference between magic and mentalism?

While mentalism is often seen as separate from magic, it falls under the umbrella of magic and illusion. Mentalists use similar techniques to create impossible effects, but focus on the illusion of exhibiting extraordinary mental abilities like telepathy and mind control, rather than stunts and tricks with everyday objects. Both mentalism and magic rely on making audiences question what is real and create wonder through deception and illusion.

How does Kostya read minds?

Kostya pretends to read minds through masterful trickery, not real supernatural powers. Using mentalism techniques that magicians employ—suggestion, misdirection, memorization of information, secret cueing—he influences people's choices. Combined with psychology, showmanship, and playing to biases, Kostya orchestrates interactive shows allowing him to seemingly pluck thoughts from minds. It’s not real telepathy, but a dramatic showcase of how deception can create wondrous illusions. The true magic is our minds’ potential to believe. If you’re looking for a presentation that includes magic and mentalism but will also teach your business audience some of these principles to help them get inside the minds of their customers, check out Kostya’s motivational speaking presentation, Think Like A Magician™.

How far in advance do I need to book my mentalism show?

To ensure availability for your event, it’s advisable to book as far in advance as possible. Kostya’s schedule can fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons for shows for corporate events and special occasions.

What types of events is Kostya’s mentalism show ideal for?

Kostya’s mentalism shows are perfect for business conferences, conventions, nonprofit fundraisers, annual retreats, professional meetings, milestone birthdays/anniversaries, and holiday parties. His performances are specifically designed to appeal to business professionals, offering a unique and memorable experience for corporate events.

What age is Kostya’s show appropriate for?

While Kostya’s shows are geared towards adults, specifically business professionals, they employ clean humor and are appropriate for older children as well, making them versatile for various audience types.

Does Kostya travel? Where is he based as an entertainer?

Kostya is based in Orlando but travels worldwide to perform his signature mentalism show. His global reach allows him to bring his unique entertainment to audiences across the globe.

Does Kostya also perform virtually?

Yes, Kostya has adapted to modern audiences by maintaining a professional streaming studio. This enables him to perform his signature virtual mentalism show experience, reaching audiences no matter where they are.

Can Kostya teach my group how to perform mentalism?

Kostya offers a one-of-a-kind mentalism workshop experience that is the perfect team-building activity. Check it out here.

How do I book a mentalism show with Kostya?

To book a mentalism show with Kostya, tell us what you’re planning here. Providing details about your event will help tailor the performance to your needs, ensuring a truly unforgettable experience.