Dr. Holiday, performing hypnotist and comedic act, will take the stage at 10 p.m. Thursday, March 28, and Thursday, April 4 at the War Eagle Supper Club. The always tuxedo-clad Dr. Holiday has been practicing in the field of hypnosis for upward of 50 years, and knows how to put on a fun yet tasteful production.
Auburn is not a new home for the shows of Dr. Holiday.
"I've been coming to Auburn for about 28 years now," Dr. Holiday said. "I've done shows campus wide and in some of the clubs and restaurants."
Dr. Holiday has put on shows for homecoming week back when Foy was the current student center, as well as performing for the Au- burn Tigers football team.
When he takes the stage, Dr. Holiday will take a few minutes to explain what hypnosis is. After taking up to 16 volunteers from the crowd for on stage participation, he then begins to lull them into a state of hypnosis in which they go on a vacation to Hollywood.
"I tell them that they're going to become actors and actresses and that this is their big break, so it has to be done in front of a live audience," Dr. Holiday said. "Thereby, the noise or the applause around them doesn't bother them because they know that they're causing it."
Once volunteers have successfully entered a full state of hypnosis, they begin performing for the crowd an array of different activities from directing traffic, impersonating Michael Jackson to competing in an imaginary Olympian horse race.
Performances are catered toward the audience, and can be more untraditional acts that aren't typically expected.
"I'll do a Chip 'n' Dale review for the guys. Sometimes if I have time the guys get pregnant and deliver babies," Dr. Holiday said. "I do just a lot of funny stuff. A lot of role reversal stuff. It's interesting to watch the individual personalities carried out in their own particular way."
The trick behind hypnosis is entering into a dream-like state and feeling as though the situation being described to the volunteers is real.
Benefits from entering a hypnotic state reach farther than just getting a few laughs from the audience.
"I always give my participants a suggestions so they'll never fall asleep at the wheel while driving," Dr. Holiday said. "When it comes to students, I combine that with remaining relaxed during examinations and recalling everything they have studied. Also at the end, I'll allow people to give themselves suggestions for self-improvement."
Though volunteers are the starts of the show, the crowd also greatly contributes to the atmosphere.
"People in the audience of course are providing laughter and fun and energy and providing inspiration and motivation for people on stage to even be more entertained," Dr. Holiday said.
Whether it be a matter of enjoying entertainment, or gaining successful study techniques, Dr. Holiday promises the show will not disappoint.
"I find out the sugar and spice they want in the show," Holiday said. "Some people want more spice, some people less spice. I think about where these people are in life, and I adapt it to their world."
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
