Minnesota Fringe Festival

schedule

Fighting Fringe Fatigue? Check out something different!

There is no plot line to follow, no names to keep straight, and no worries! If you're feeling stressed, volunteer to be hypnotized! (You'll feel great afterward - promise!) If you wish you were in more shows this year, volunteer! (You'll be a star and will have a blast!) If you're just curious about hypnosis, come watch! (We need audience members too!)

Go beyond "Look into my eyes." No barking or clucking here! Audience volunteers act out each unique show, which could include a talent contest, knock-out kisses, or even missing body parts. And SLEEP!

Reveiws:

Twin Cities Daily Planet:
"I was fascinated by the process. Knutson is very positive and gentle. She reassures her volunteers that they are "stars" and that any laughter is supportive. Everyone on stage seemed to be enjoying themselves. The comedy comes from the unpredictability of the "stars" responses. It reminded me of an improv show. Each performance will be completely different."
~Wendy Gennaula

For more videos and information, click here to visit this show's website.

The Comedy Hypnosis Show is a unique Fringe experience with the ultimate in audience participation - the stars of the show are actually audience volunteers!

Audience Responses:

"One of the funniest shows I've seen in a long time."
~Kathleen Tacke

"I laughed so hard during the show, I cried! It was one of the most fun nights out for us - ever!"
~Michelle Wenge

Hypnotic Volunteer Responses:

"Being hypnotized by Katie was a fun and fascinating experience. Katie made me feel relaxed and totally at ease the entire time. A thoroughly enjoyable experience I recommend for anyone!"
~David Schaal

"Katie made me a true believer in hypnosis. The experience was surreal and something that I will never forget."
~Jacob Deaver

Frequently Asked Questions about Hypnosis

Q: What makes a good hypnotic volunteer?
A: Anyone can be hypnotized - the best volunteers are willing, intelligent, creative and imaginative.

Q: Can a hypnotist make me do things I don't want to do?
A: Absolutely NOT! A person in hypnosis is fully aware and in control of themselves the whole time.

Q: What does it feel like to be hypnotized?
A: It feels great! Many people describe it as relaxing, revitalizing, and fun. Imagine the best massage or most invigorating nap you've ever had - that's a lot like how hypnosis feels. If you have ever practiced meditation, you know what it feels like.

Q: I've heard that everyone has experienced a state of hypnosis, is this true?
A: Yes! We all go in and out of hypnosis every single day, whether we realize it or not. One version is called "Highway Hypnosis." This happens when you are driving a car and realize that you have no idea how you got from "point A" to "point B." You were not sleeping, you were in a state of heightened concentration (hypnosis).

Q: Is this show appropriate for children?
A: Hypnotist Katie Knutson presents a G-rated show. However, since the audience volunteers are fully in control of themselves, they may occasionally utter an inappropriate word or use an inappropriate gesture. That being said, children are welcome, but only those ages 16 and up may volunteer to be hyp

The cast

Katie Knutson
Role: Hypnotist
Katie Knutson is a Certified Hypnotherapist with a strong background in performance. She received her degree in Theater and Drama with an Acting Emphasis from the University of Wisconsin and has appeared in at least one show in the Minnesota Fringe Festival every year since 2004. You may know her as a storyteller, actor, director, or playwright, but this year she decided to do something a little different. She is bringing a show very similar to the hypnosis show she does at high school all-night parties and corporate events to the Minnesota Fringe! Enjoy!

Tim Hoppe
Role: Crew
Supportive husband. Loving father.

Alyssa Murphy
Role: Crew

Matt Saxe
Role: Crew

Katie Knutson

The Comedy Hypnosis Show

Sat., Aug. 1 @ 7:00 p.m.
[A] Sun., Aug. 2 @ 5:30 p.m.
Mon., Aug. 3 @ 7:00 p.m.
Wed., Aug. 5 @ 5:30 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 8 @ 10:00 p.m.

KEY:
[S]=ASL interpreted
[A]=Audio described

Venue Playwrights' Center
For ages 12+
Created by Katie Knutson, Hypnotist
Web site http://web.me.com/katieknutson
genres Improv, Comedy
features Audience participation

Overall rating

User reviews

Didn't work
by Jonathan Vandervelde Follow this reviewer
Rating 2 kitties
Many (or perhaps all) of the "subjects" on stage appeared to be un-hypnotized, but uncomfortably playing along just to be good sports. Additionally, the show itself is designed around bits which lead up to the "hypnotized" subjects answering questions, but nothing in the the likely responses is going to be inherently funny or entertaining. In other words, professional improv comedians would probably be able to generate entertaining punchlines at these pay-off points, but regular Joes from an audience mostly can't (whether any of them are hypnotized or not).
I admire Katie for getting off her butt and creating a show, but the whole thing needs a major re-think, in my opinion.

Terrific as usual
by Pam Schweitzer Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Katie had my tween sons thoroughly engrossed during her hypnosis show--something of a trick. Katie's rapport with the audience and the participants was easy and respectful. She created a fun and memorable experience for all of us. We still talk about the evening over dinner.

Good fun, all the way around
by Christopher Kidder Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Katie Knutson has found a way to break up the frantic feel of the Fringe and yet make it equally as exciting as other shows, if not more so.

For more in-depth thoughts: Fringe By Numbers

Intriguing
by Jim Belich Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
This show exemplifies what I love about the Fringe: you can find anything there, even comedy hypnosis! Because we were a little smaller of a group, Katie invited us all onto stage to participate. I don't easily give up control, so while I felt very relaxed I'm not sure I ever truly entered hypnosis, but there were many people more open to it than I and I enjoyed watching their responses. Katie clearly knows her stuff when it comes to hypnosis, and made the experience both fun and safe for everyone. Watching the response of those in the hypnotic state was hilarious! Just one show left at this point (10 PM on Saturday), but this is definitely a show worth catching.

Great Show
by Susan Just Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
What a great show! I'm a hypnotherapist and I've seen many hypnosis shows, and Katie's definitely among the tops.

Katie has such great rapport with her audience and the volunteers (the 'stars' as she calls them). There's such genuine energy, enthusiasm and appreciation.

The funny thing is, some people didn't think they were hypnotized and yet, they were following her instructions. That's what hypnosis is ~ a simple focus of attention and following someone's instructions.

Truthfully, she had the whole audience hypnotized because we were following her instructions to have a good time, and it was so easy with her show!

unique and fun
by vickijoan keck Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
I have been following Katies' work for a while and her shows are always unique and different from each other. She's not afraid to push the envelope a bit. Her hypnosis show is an interesting and unique diversion, if not great theater. She has a wonderful stage presence and persona as the emcee. this girl will go far!

Great Time
by Joshua Humphrey Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
The Comedy Hypnosis Show was just what I needed after performing in my own show. I'd never been hypnotized before, but I went into wanting to have the experience and it was one of the most unique times I've had at the Fringe so far. Go, have a blast and if you have the guts, let yourself relax and believe that you too can be hypnotized.

LOL, relax
by Igor Blokhintsev Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Simple -yes. Try to do the same, so people will be involved in the show and will laugh to the pain in their jaws.

Amazing and Funny
by Liz Floyd Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I am glad that I did not get hypnotized, but I would have been curious to ask those that did get hypnotized how much they remembered. I really enjoyed this show and laughed hard. Maybe some day I will give it a try myself.

delightful
by Sandra Knutson Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
humorous, a must see. bring your friends and get hypnotised. you'll feel great afterwards so relaxed and self confident. and you can be the star of the show! if you don't want to partake in the cast you can enjoy watching you freinds or family become entertainers of the year. my favorite parts were the post hypnotic suggestions and the talent show. go see the show with friends and you will have lots to talk about when its over.

the hypnotized
by brenda atkins Follow this reviewer
Rating 2 kitties
i hear that the experience of being hypnotized is different for everyone. i felt very relaxed but really felt like i was doing the things she was saying to humor her and the audience. there was a lively crowd with great energy and it was funny in bits but it seemed fake. maybe that's just me though. others said they felt "pretty under." it was a fun experience nonetheless, just not as fabulous as some of the other shows.

The Comedy Hypnosis Show
by Roger Hellesvig Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
How does Katie do it? Sure enough she had all 11 volunteers hypnotized at her becon and call. It was a delightful evening as her volunteers involuntarily did the suggestions Katie gave them.