Frequently Asked Questions

Jesse's signature offering and most popular service is an interactive stage show combining mind-reading demonstrations, audience participation, and optional speaking messages that tie to your event theme. Unlike traditional magic where audiences watch passively, everyone in the room participates from where they're seated. This total audience involvement creates engagement and makes the experience memorable for all attendees, not just a few volunteers.

Corporate clients book Jesse for a variety of events including awards dinners, holiday parties, sales kickoffs, conference general sessions, client appreciation events, and executive retreats. Jesse performs when the audience is seated and attentive, but never while guests are eating.

This is pure entertainment, not a team building program. If you're looking for team building with exercises and activities, see the separate question about Jesse's team building programs.

Jesse entertains 2-8 attendees at a time, up close, with highly personalized entertainment for 5-15 minutes. Then he proceeds to entertain the next small group, continuing this process with small groups throughout the event. It is frequently booked at receptions and cocktail hours.

Other labels used to describe walk-around magic/mentalism include:

• Strolling magic, strolling mentalism
• Roving magic, roving mentalism
• Roaming magic, roaming mentalism
• Close-up magic, close-up mentalism
• Walk-around magic, walk-around mentalism
• Mingling magic, mingling mentalism, mix-and-mingle magic, mix-and-mingle mentalism
• Reception magic, reception mentalism (if performed during a reception)
• Cocktail hour magic, cocktail hour mentalism (if performed during a cocktail hour)
• Table magic, table mentalism, table hopping (if done for 1 table at a time before or after dinner)

Important: Jesse's team building programs are separate from his corporate entertainment shows. If you're looking for stage entertainment for an awards dinner, holiday party, or corporate event, see the question "What is Jesse's interactive corporate stage show?"

Jesse offers two team building programs:

1. Full Team Building Experience (2.5 hours, up to 20 people) - This comprehensive program is packed with team building exercises and collaborative activities. Groups break into smaller teams, then those teams interact with each other through structured challenges. This program is designed for corporate retreats seeking intensive team development.

2. Team Building + Entertainment Hybrid (shorter format, for groups of more than 20 people) - This program combines interactive mentalism with a speaking message about the power of words to connect people, followed by a collaborative exercise where teams work together to plan a fictional vacation. This format works for events with tighter time constraints.

Both programs emphasize group participation and interaction, but they are distinct from Jesse's pure entertainment stage shows.

• After demonstrations of mentalism that appear to influence thought, he has a message about how changing just a couple of words can transform connection with others .
• Jesse speaks about the staggering improbability of the each combination of audience members coming together. It puts in perspective that the present moment is special and unlikely to ever happen again.
• "Thinking about the past can cause a sense of loss. Thinking about the future can cause a fear of loss. Shifting focus to the present moment can avoid those feelings." Audience members then call out random numbers, and the sum of the numbers equals today's date/time.
• Nelson Mandela's quote "It always seems impossible until it's done" has appeared on screens while Jesse performs. The apparent impossibility of Jesse's magic/mentalism symbolizes the audience doing what seems impossible in their own lives.
• Jesse mentalism has been used to reinforce Dale Carnegie's principle of choosing topics others are interested in. Jesse may theme some of the magic/mentalism to match the audience's own interests. Afterward, Jesse explains points out they were more engaged in the entertainment because it was more about them.
• He also offers customization to integrate a client's own message.

Jesse's speaking messages are a crucial part of what make him different from other mentalists and magicians; the speaking messages in his shows give a deeper meaning. Instead of there being amazement, laughter, and interactions, his speaking messages bring a few thought-provoking moments into the entertainment. If you need more information about a specific message for your event, contact Jesse using this form.

Yes. It costs extra money, but he can incorporate a message or theme into the entertainment. To discuss customization options for your event, start by using Jesse's contact form available here.

• Stage Show: The length of the show is adjustable, but a common duration is 1 hour. For smaller audiences (under 1 hour) the show may run slightly under 1 hour. For larger audiences, it tends to run slightly over 1 hour. To determine an exact duration that matches your event, contact Jesse using this form.

• Walk-Around at Cocktail Hours & Receptions: The number of minutes the walk-around entertainment can lasts, is approximately equal to the number of people at an event.

• Team Building for Under 21 People: 1-2.5 hours

• Team Building for 21+ people: 60 minutes

Examples include:

• Corporate Events: Leadership retreats, award ceremonies, company anniversaries, conferences, summits, welcome/farewell receptions, company holiday parties, sales meetings, kickoffs, product launches, offsites, incentive trips, client appreciation events, grand openings, etc.
• Fundraising & Nonprofit Events: Annual fundraising galas, annual masquerade balls, annual golf tournaments, annual charity auctions, annual donor recognition events, annual fundraising soirées, etc.
• Private Events: VIP private parties, milestone birthday celebrations, bar/bat mitzvah cocktail hours, alumni receptions, destination family reunions, etc.
• Private Clubs: Member-member events and member-guest events.
• Hospitality and Guest Experiences: Resort/hotel guest experiences.

Important: Please note that the lists above are not comprehensive. To determine if your exact event is a fit, use this form to contact Jesse.

Mentalists fuse mental abilities with unique perceptual magic. Non-mentalist magic is typically visual. Magic is more associated with physical objects. Mentalism is more themed around the mind. For a more in-depth explanation of the difference between a magician and a mentalist, click here.

• The short answer is bar/bat mitzvah guest ages and up.
• Although Jesse is most well-known for corporate events, his magician services are also available for fundraising galas, masquerade balls, donor appreciation events, golf tournaments, milestone birthday celebrations, and bar/bat mitzvahs.

Jesse has services for all group sizes. Not every service works for every group size, but there is at least one service that can apply for any group size. To determine which services makes sense for your event, contact Jesse by clicking here.

Jesse travels and is not limited to only a couple areas, but he is deeply commercially connected to Philadelphia metropolis area and Central/Northern New Jersey (like New Brunswick, NJ and the surrounding areas). Example include Philadelphia suburbs like Blue Bell, King of Prussia, and Conshohocken, and New Jersey cities such as Princeton, New Brunswick, East Brunswick, and Parsippany. These examples are only a fraction of the locations he serves, but they highlight important hubs.

You can see an example of a set list (of tricks) here: https://mentalistjesse.com/set-list

(Consider that the tricks can be framed by speaking messages that provoke thought, and can add an element of purpose beyond the tricks.)

Yes. If you want a shorter performance, that can be done.

No. For your audience's own benefit, Jesse never performs shows while anyone is eating. When guests are looking downward at plates, they are not able to see the show. An explainer video that helps you optimize your event room can be found here.

Yes, for the walk-around format of entertainment. However, stage shows (group shows performing for a full room) are not offered in a loud environment.

Yes.

Yes. You are welcome to reach out to Jesse and discuss your goals.

Yes, but customization itself costs an additional fee. To request a call, use his contact form.

No.

Yes. For example, Jesse has been hired to perform for University of Pennsylvania and Kutztown University.

Engineers, scientists, and other analytical people are warmly welcome to analyze the tricks as brain teasers. Believers enjoy the mind reading theme and mystique. It caters to both demographics (skeptics and believers), but for different reasons.

Soirées are evening events that tend toward formality and usually include live entertainment. With Jesse doing live entertainment for a living, he naturally crosses paths with organizers of soirées who hire him. In practice, a fundraising soirée is often very similar to a fundraising gala, but it's a notch down in formality (yet still formal). Like a fundraising gala, a fundriasing soirée usually includes a cocktail component or reception where walk-around entertainment fits. Also, just like a fundraising gala, Jesse can deliver a stage magic and mentalism act before or after the dinner. For other types of soirées, like a private residence event with a lower number of guests, Jesse's interactive group show may be the only compatible option. This is because the walk-around entertainment isn't meant for under 40-45 guests, and private residence soirées can have less guests. Either way, Jesse loves entertaining guests at soirées and welcomes you to connect with him. Click here to contact Jesse.

Jesse offers entertainment for welcome receptions that kick off multi-day trade shows, breakout sessions from trade shows, and farewell receptions that close a trade show. However, Jesse does not offer a service building crowds or generating leads for exhibitors' booths.

No.

No.

Yes. Visit https://jessedameron.com to view video content of Jesse performing.

• Jesse has the most interactive show on the market.
• Brief speaking messages give deeper meaning to the demonstrations of mentalism/magic.
• Elicits unusually strong reactions.
• Trained with formal acting classes to develop stage presence.
• Customizable to include your theme/message.
• Dry comedy is interspersed throughout the entertainment, which is a rare type of comedy.
• Over 2,000 presentations delivered.
• Featured on TV.
• Global Fortune 500 clients.
• Fast, easy booking process with prompt replies.

Yes. Click here to see the certificate.

Jesse's material avoids profanity and sexual content, and the humor is professional and inclusive. That makes it a safe fit for mixed groups—executives, clients, plus-ones, and multi-generational teams. If your company has specific guidelines, share them in advance and I'll confirm we're aligned.

Not everyone should hire a magician. It is a luxury service and there are free alternatives to save money, like Pictionary, Yahtzee, card games, and charades. For someone who is looking to budget very low for entertainment, it costs less money to order a pizza and rent a movie on Netflix. If Netflix is out of your budget, Roku offers free streaming options. If pizza is out of your budget, popcorn costs considerably less money per person.

However, if you are investing in a high-stakes event, and you want to maximum impact, then a magician can bring powerful reactions to your event. Those powerful reactions you see on TV, where people freak out from the sheer impossibility and disbelief of magic, can be experienced by your employees, clients, family, neighbors, etc.

No. Jesse doesn't do roasts, insults, or humiliation-style participation. If you've seen performers who tease volunteers, that's not anything like Jesse's approach.

To oversimplify and make this easy, a corporate mentalist is a “mind-reading style magician.” Companies hire them as a way to bond teams at retreats, make a more powerful impact when a message is delivered, add a client appreciation gift experience, generate more leads at a trade show, celebrate a company milestone, reward employee performance, etc.

• The central New Jersey hub that includes New Brunswick, Princeton, East Brunswick, and has companies that hire Jesse as a corporate mentalist.
• Areas like Media and Bala Cynwyd (in Pennsylvania) are popular for private event clients for bar/bat mitzvahs cocktail hours. Walk-around entertainment is typically the best fit for a bar/bat mitzvah.
• His events in Philadelphia and Malvern have included corporate events, fundraising galas, and masquerade balls.

The concept of mind entertainment is the same, but it's a different type of event.

A family magician is typically a magician who performs for kids and adults. Jesse gets hired for milestone birthday celebrations and bar/bat mitzvahs. These are what are sometimes described as bespoke luxury events.

Jesse has performed multiple shows at the same event countless times. However, there are rare situations where the logistics might not be a fit. To determine if your goal can work, contact Jesse here.

Yes, provided there's a tent or covered structure. Rain date bookings are not accepted due to scheduling conflicts. The show must be able to proceed regardless of weather.

His clients include some of the largest companies in the world, such as Johnson & Johnson, State Farm, Merck, JLL, and Radisson Hotel. He also has clients that are the equivalent of Fortune 500 size companies, but are out of country. For example, Luxottica and Heidelberg Materials hired Jesse as a magician/mentalist.

Jesse tends to perform at hotels, convention centers, country clubs, private dining rooms at restaurants, and inside of company buildings.

Examples of venues Jesse performed at include Pennsylvania Convention Center, The Madison Hotel Morristown, Chateau Grande Hotel (East Brunswick), Delaware Park Casino, Hard Rock Hotel - Atlantic City, Grand Cascades Lodge at Crystal Springs Resort, Philadelphia Downton Marriott, Radisson Hotel, Renaissance Allentown Hotel, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in King of Prussia (The Alloy), and White Manor Country Club.

If you need to determine if your venue is a fit for Jesse's services, contact him using this form.

Yes. Click here to access them.

Yes.

Jesse was featured on TV shows such as The Morning Show on FOX News.

• Business casual.
• Business formal wearing all black (to add an air of mystique).
• Casual when specifically requested to.
• If there is a venue dress code for traditional business formal, this can be met.

If you are wondering whether he can dress differently to match your event vision, contact Jesse to discuss your needs.

Agencies often have non-disclosure agreements that disallow the release of this information. Talent agencies often white-label the promotional materials of talent, so it is extremely difficult to identify Jesse's talent agencies. Destination management companies, third-party full-service meeting/event planning companies, entertainment agencies, speakers bureaus, ad managers, and team building companies have all promoted Jesse, but nobody exclusively represents him. The most likely people to be familiar with his agencies are clients who booked him through agencies.

Jesse's LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/jessedameron

Over 13 years professionally and many years before that as a paraprofessional/hobbyist. There is a photograph of Jesse performing for a group of people on his 10th birthday. He did it on and off during his teen years, then became fully immersed again in his late teens / 20s.

At first, it was about the strong reactions, suspense, and mystery. That's still a huge part of it, but over time, he became fascinated by using entertainment as a tool to deliver messages. A message can be about the power of words to connect people, the benefits of shifting focus to the present moment, or a custom message.

Yes. It positions him as a better resource to analyze his clients' event, strategize, and achieve event-related goals. Click here to see the certificate.

• ILEA award

• MMM award

• Jesse has commented that John Edward, the TV psychic, was an influence. Jesse disagreed with the ethics of psychic mediumship, but comments favorably about the presentational style of John Edward.
• Jesse was influenced by his theater mentor, Phil Ballantine.

One psychological trick is accomplished by using words that steer the direction of conversations. People are unaware of the impact the words are having.

• Adding elements of music: Jesse is working on adding elements of music into shows. He tends toward cinematic and adventurous music.
• Adding new messages: He is always developing new messages into his presentations. Every additional message, even a very concise message, can reframe an entire mentalism demonstration to symbolize a deeper meaning.

Since a young age, he was fascinated by entertainment related to the mind. He studied a British hypnotist in his 20s.

No.

Yes. Jesse regularly does global and national events. European companies such as Henkel Corporation, Heidelberg Materials, and Luxottica hired Jesse.

Yes. Jesse does events for trade associations and professional societies. This includes all geographic scopes of association meetings/events: International, national, regional, statewide, and local.

• If you want a stage show while guests are eating, Jesse is not a fit.
• If you have young children in the audience (under the age of 10), Jesse is not a fit.

• Jesse's character is not zany. He engages the audience conversationally, less like a contrived or rehearsed skit.

If there is a very large, safe margin of time between events in very close proximity, yes.

Common examples include:

• Repeat Clients: Past clients hire Jesse again. A buyer hires Jesse for multiple booking in a single agreement.
• Spin-off Bookings: Attendees who Jesse is hired to entertain, becomes clients who book Jesse for their own events.
• Referrals: People recommend Jesse to others in their network.

Yes. He donated to Philadelphia Theatre Company and Elijah's Promise.

Jesse only uses Vimeo/YouTube videos to embed the videos on web pages. Jesse never uses Vimeo/YouTube for publicity to YouTube/Vimeo users. To see videos, use his website here.

• Never have any hidden fees.
• Never cancel an event because a higher-paying offer comes along. It doesn't matter if someone offer 10X the price, a deal is a deal.
• Admit if an event is not a fit. For example, if a potential buyer wants to book a stage show while audience members are eating, Jesse is transparent about the negative impact it will have.
• When people from a different background have a non-English name, Jesse makes a good faith effort to repeat pronouncing a name until he gets it correct. This way, Jesse is not pronouncing someone's name wrong.
• When there are signs of any hearing impaired persons in the audience, Jesse make efforts to have audio speakers positioned close to them.
• Clarity, simplicity, and promptness are values for handling documents during the booking process.

• Jesse: JESS-ee (rhymes with messy)

• Dameron: DAM-er-un (rhymes with Cameron)

Note that Jesse does not care if you mispronounce his name. If you are concerned that you will mispronounce his name during a show introduction, there is no need to worry. It will not have any negative impact on the show if you mispronounce his name.