Max Major has a lot on his mind.
Over the past 15 years, the Washington, D.C.-based mentalist has performed more than 2,000 live shows on four continents, winning critical acclaim and audience raves. He was named “D.C.’s Best Performance Artist” by Washington City Paper from 2011-2014. He has also performed on television more than 100 times.
On May 6, Major will bring his unique blend of mind-reading, illusion and hypnosis to Bolton Street Synagogue’s annual fundraiser. The event will also feature food and beverages, a silent auction and a raffle for Baltimore Ravens tickets.
A native of Woodbine, Md., and 2005 graduate of the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland, College Park, Major, 33, recently spoke with Jmore about his passion for his art and craft.
How did you become an illusionist?
From 10 years old, I studied magic and performed every chance I got. That’s how I learned to be a performer, how to be a showman. I did my first show when I was 14. A neighbor hired me to perform for her daughter’s birthday. That was my big break.
When did the mentalism piece come into it?
When I turned 18, my dad got hypnotized so he could quit smoking and it actually worked, which was fascinating. He had tried everything before that.
I thought, “Wow, what am I doing with card tricks?” This to me looked like real magic. This was a real-life superpower. That opened up a whole new world to me.
How much of your act depends on your audience members being receptive and malleable?
We are all wired the same way, regardless of where we grew up or what language we speak. We all have the same processor.
As a mentalist I am leveraging what I know about perception, about decision-making, about human nature. Often, I use that to influence people to make one decision or another.
The flip side of this is about reading people, as opposed to trying to plant an idea in somebody’s head. I use things like body language to try to know what someone is thinking — to read them.
Sounds dicey to try in front of a live audience.
It is certainly more art than science. It’s guesswork and it’s deductive reasoning. So onstage, I don’t always know what is going to happen, but that to me is what makes a live performance so much fun for the performer and the audience — seeing how it all works in real time.
What happens when it doesn’t work?
It always works. The audience has no idea what is going to happen next. I am the only one who knows what is supposed to happen.
So it is the same as when you use a figure skater or a ballerina. All the audience sees is the smooth, organic performance. If I try to plant an idea and it doesn’t stick, I move things around. I know where I am trying to go and I have 10 different paths to get there, so I can just shift gears. But the audience doesn’t see that. You do that over the course of 2,000 shows and there really aren’t any surprises anymore.
Prefer doing live shows or TV?
They are separate arts. It’s like painting and sculpting – a different medium. If I’m honest with myself, I’d say live performance is where I feel most alive, but television has its own challenges. I have only really been on television for five or six years, and only seriously for two or three, so it is still somewhat new and foreign. I am always looking to learn and grow, so I appreciate that. And of course, with television, you can reach a much larger audience.
What makes it fun?
I love people. At the most basic level, I like making people smile. There’s also the pleasure I find in knowing that I am living life on my own terms. I am onstage by choice, this is the life I created for myself.
Then, there is the nature of what I do, calling into question what we know about the mind and the body and what is possible. Maybe for some people, this inspires them to take action in their own life, to question what they believe on a day-by-day basis. That for me is where the true fulfillment comes in.
Bolton Street Synagogue is located at 212 W. Cold Spring Lane in Roland Park. For tickets and information about the congregation’s fundraiser, call 410-235-5354 or visit BoltonStreetMaxMajor.eventbrite.com.
Adam Stone is an Annapolis-based freelance writer.
Top photo: D.C.’s Best Performance Artist Max Major (Courtesy photo)
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