Comedy Hypnotist & Stage Hypnotist for Hire — USA
Richard Barker, The Incredible Hypnotist. 20+ years · 6,000 shows · 38 countries · 100+ TV appearances on Today Show, ET, CBS, NBC, FOX & ABC.
Last updated September 21, 2026
As seen on · 100+ TV network appearances
Today Show · The Late Late Show · Entertainment Tonight · CBS · NBC · FOX · ABC · Norwegian · Carnival · Celebrity Cruises
©01 — Introduction
Richard Barker is a comedy hypnotist and stage hypnotist for hire across the USA.
A comedy hypnotist is a live entertainer who hypnotizes volunteers from the audience and guides them through funny, harmless suggestions on stage. Based in Orlando, Florida, Richard Barker, The Incredible Hypnotist, has headlined comedy hypnosis shows for over 20 years, performing 6,000+ shows in 38 countries for Fortune 500 corporations, colleges, theaters, cruise lines and private events. His clean, corporate-safe show has been featured on The Today Show, Entertainment Tonight, CBS, NBC, FOX, ABC and The Late Late Show with James Corden. Shows start at $1,200. Richard is a live entertainer, not a clinical hypnotherapist: his shows are built for laughs and memorable moments.
©02 — By the numbers
How experienced is Richard Barker? 20+ years and 6,000+ shows.
20+
Years on stage
6,000+
Comedy shows performed
38
Countries toured
100+
TV network appearances
©03 — Who books Richard
A comedy hypnotist show suitable for anyone.
Richard’s comedy hypnosis show is engineered for any audience, any venue, any occasion — from black-tie corporate galas to family-friendly fairs and ticketed theater dates. A few of the most common ways clients hire him:
©04 — Where Richard performs
A comedy hypnotist for hire anywhere in the world.
Including every major US city — and all the places in between. Richard is Orlando-based and tours internationally (38 countries and counting). The cities below have dedicated stage hypnotist pages with local venue intel:
©05 — About Richard
Richard Barker, The Incredible Hypnotist: 20+ years on stage.
Richard Barker — The Incredible Hypnotist — is a world-renowned comedy stage hypnotist and live entertainer. Over 20+ years he has performed 6,000+ comedy hypnosis shows for thousands of clients across 38 countries, earning a reputation as one of the most charming, quick-witted and audience-ready stage hypnotists working today.
When he’s not headlining for Norwegian, Celebrity and Carnival Cruise Lines or appearing as a guest on CBS, NBC, FOX, ABC, The Today Show, Entertainment Tonight or The Late Late Show, he’s touring the USA entertaining corporate audiences, college crowds and theater houses coast to coast from his home base in Orlando, Florida.
©06 — Reviews
From Fortune 500 boardrooms to college theaters.
A comedy hypnotist trusted by the people who book America’s biggest events.
©07 — The show in action
See what 6,000+ audiences have experienced.
From TV studios to sold-out theaters, every comedy hypnotist show is a one-of-a-kind performance.
Live TV hypnosis demo
Packed indoor venue
Stage performance close-up
Hiring guide
Comedy hypnotist for hire: what it costs, how it works and how to book
Last updated September 21, 2026 · By Richard Barker, The Incredible Hypnotist
A comedy hypnotist is a live entertainer who hypnotizes volunteers from the audience and guides them through funny, harmless suggestions on stage. Shows usually run 60 to 90 minutes with 10 to 20 volunteers. Richard Barker’s shows start at $1,200, and he performs for corporate, college and theater audiences across the USA from his base in Orlando.
Key takeaways
- A comedy hypnosis show is audience participation entertainment, not therapy. Volunteers choose to take part and can stop at any time.
- Stage hypnosis is real in the sense the American Psychological Association describes: focused attention with a heightened response to suggestion. It is not mind control.
- US marketplace averages run from about $650 to $1,450 per show. Richard Barker’s shows start at $1,200, plus travel from Orlando where it applies.
- Book 6 to 9 months ahead for Q4 holiday parties, spring conferences and fall homecoming. Four to eight weeks is sometimes possible.
- The venue needs a stage or clear performance area, a row of armless chairs, a wireless mic on the house sound system and a seated audience facing the stage.
What is a comedy hypnotist?
A comedy hypnotist is a stage performer who uses hypnosis on willing audience volunteers to create an unscripted comedy show. The volunteers, not the hypnotist, become the stars.
A show has four parts: a short explanation of hypnosis, a group induction of 10 to 20 volunteers, a run of comedy routines built on suggestion, and a wake up that leaves everyone alert and relaxed. Richard’s show runs 45 to 90 minutes depending on your program.
Is stage hypnosis real, or are the volunteers acting?
Stage hypnosis is real, and the volunteers are not paid actors. They are people from your audience. The American Psychological Association’s Division 30 defines hypnosis as a state of focused attention and reduced peripheral awareness with an enhanced capacity to respond to suggestion.
Responsiveness varies from person to person. Stanford Medicine research led by Dr. David Spiegel puts roughly 10% of people in the highly hypnotizable group, with most people in the middle. That’s why a stage hypnotist invites more volunteers than he needs and keeps the most responsive. Volunteers stay aware the whole time and won’t act against their own values. Richard goes deeper in Is stage hypnosis real? The honest truth.
How is a comedy hypnotist different from a hypnotherapist, a comedian or a magician?
A comedy hypnotist entertains a crowd, while a clinical hypnotherapist works with one person on a health or behavior goal. Comedians and magicians entertain too, but your guests mostly watch rather than become the show.
| Comedy stage hypnotist | Clinical hypnotherapist | Comedian or magician | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Entertainment | Treatment for goals like anxiety or habits | Entertainment |
| Setting | Stage, audiences up to 5,000+ | Private office, one client | Stage or strolling |
| Audience role | 10 to 20 volunteers are the show | Client only | Mostly watching |
| Typical length | 45 to 90 minutes | 50 to 60 minute sessions | 30 to 60 minutes |
| Priced by | Per show | Per session | Per show |
| Best for | Galas, sales kickoffs, colleges, grad nights, fairs | Individual goals | Dinners, receptions |
Should you hire a hypnotist, a comedian or a magician for your event?
Hire a hypnotist when you want guests talking about their coworkers and classmates for weeks afterward. The show stars your own people, so it’s different every time. A comedian carries more content risk with a mixed audience, and a magician suits smaller rooms or a cocktail hour. A hypnosis show works best as the headline act for a seated audience of 75 or more.
How much does it cost to hire a comedy hypnotist?
Richard Barker’s comedy hypnosis shows start at $1,200, plus travel from Orlando where it applies. The final fee depends on five things: event type, date (December and homecoming weekends book first), city, audience size and production needs. Every quote comes back the same day.
For context, most US event hypnotists on booking marketplaces charge roughly $650 to $1,450 per show, and nationally touring headliners charge more. GigSalad reports an average of $800 to $1,000 for one hour, and The Bash reports state averages around $1,100.
Sources: GigSalad and The Bash published hypnotist pricing, checked September 2026.
How do you book a comedy hypnotist?
Booking takes four steps: check the date, confirm a written quote, sign the agreement with a deposit, and hold a short planning call.
- Send your date, city, audience size and event type through the contact form, or call 877-711-9051.
- Get a same-day quote covering the fee, travel and technical needs.
- Sign the agreement and pay the deposit to hold your date.
- Join a 15-minute planning call so Richard can work in names, in-jokes and anything that’s off limits.
Book 6 to 9 months ahead for peak dates. Big city dates can fill a year out.
What does the venue need for a hypnosis show?
The venue needs a stage, chairs, sound and a seated audience. Specifically:
- A stage or clear performance area, ideally 16 feet wide by 12 feet deep
- A single row of armless chairs for the volunteers, usually 12 or more
- A wireless lavalier or headset mic on the house sound system
- Theater or banquet seating facing the stage, with standard stage lighting
- Setup access before doors open
Richard travels with a complete technical rider and carries $2 million in general liability insurance.
Is a comedy hypnosis show safe and appropriate for work?
Yes. A professionally run show is safe, and the content is set to your standards. Taking part is voluntary, volunteers stay aware throughout, and anyone can open their eyes and go back to their seat at any point.
Richard’s corporate show is clean and HR safe, with no off-color material and no one made the butt of the joke. It’s fully insured, and the planning call is where you tell him what’s off limits. More detail is on the corporate events page.
What if nobody volunteers, or people can’t be hypnotized?
In 6,000+ shows, a shortage of volunteers has never stopped a performance. A short warm up takes away the fear of being embarrassed, and more people come forward than there are chairs. Because responsiveness varies, Richard invites more volunteers than he needs and quietly sends the less responsive ones back to their seats in the first few minutes.
How do you choose the best comedy hypnotist?
Judge a hypnotist on proof you can check, not on titles. Ask for:
- Video of a recent show for an audience like yours
- Named references from the last 12 months
- Proof of liability insurance
- Verified reviews on a third-party platform such as The Bash or GigSalad
- A clear content policy
Richard Barker’s record: 20+ years, 6,000+ shows, 38 countries, 100+ TV appearances, headline residencies for Norwegian, Celebrity and Carnival cruise lines, and 5-star verified reviews on The Bash and GigSalad. You can watch the TV segments themselves: The Today Show, Entertainment Tonight and The Late Late Show with James Corden, plus the rest on the media page.
Is there a comedy hypnotist near me?
Richard Barker is based in Orlando, Florida and travels to every US state, so “near me” rarely limits your choice. He has dedicated pages for cities including Orlando, Las Vegas, Chicago, Dallas, New York, Washington DC, Miami, Atlanta, Phoenix and San Diego. Travel is quoted up front, so there are no surprise costs.
Is Richard Barker available in 2026 and 2027?
Richard is taking bookings for late 2026 and all of 2027. Q4 holiday dates go first, so check yours early through the contact form and you’ll get an answer the same day.
About the author: Richard Barker, The Incredible Hypnotist
- Professional stage hypnotist for 20+ years, based in Orlando, Florida
- 6,000+ shows in 38 countries, including cruise line headline residencies
- 100+ TV appearances, including The Today Show, Entertainment Tonight and The Late Late Show
- Author of four books, including Secrets of The Stage Revealed: The Guide to Hypnosis and Stage Hypnotism
- Insured with $2 million general liability cover
©08 — Frequently asked questions
Booking a comedy hypnotist: straight answers.
The questions event planners ask Richard most — answered up front so you can book with confidence.
Is Richard Barker available to travel outside Orlando?
Yes. Richard is an Orlando-based comedy hypnotist who tours the USA year-round and has performed in 38 countries. He regularly travels to Las Vegas, Chicago, Dallas, New York, Washington DC, Miami, San Diego, Phoenix, Atlanta and every major US market for corporate events, colleges, theater dates and private shows.
How long is a typical comedy hypnosis show?
Most comedy hypnotist shows run 60 to 90 minutes depending on the event. Richard tailors length to your program: a 45-minute opener for a corporate awards night, a full 90-minute theater headline, or a two-set format for cruise ships and fairs. Setup is 45 minutes and he travels with a complete technical rider.
What is the difference between a comedy hypnotist and a clinical hypnotherapist?
Richard Barker is a comedy stage hypnotist and live entertainer — his shows are designed for laughs, memorable moments and safe audience participation at corporate, college and public events. He is not a clinical hypnotherapist, and his stage show is not therapy. Clients book Richard for entertainment, not medical treatment.
How many volunteers do you need onstage?
Richard typically brings 10 to 20 audience volunteers onstage, selected from the crowd in the first few minutes of the show. Volunteering is always completely voluntary and no one is ever embarrassed — the comedy comes from the situations Richard creates, never at a volunteer’s expense.
How far in advance should I book a stage hypnotist?
For primetime corporate dates (Q4 holiday season, spring conference season, fall homecoming) 6 to 9 months ahead is ideal; Richard’s calendar for major metro markets regularly books out a full year in advance. For shorter lead times he can often accommodate 4 to 8 weeks out depending on travel logistics — ask about availability.
How much does a comedy hypnotist cost?
Richard Barker’s comedy hypnosis shows start at $1,200, plus travel from Orlando where it applies. The final fee depends on event type, date, city, audience size and production needs, and corporate rates differ from college and theater rates. For comparison, US booking marketplaces show most event hypnotists at roughly $650 to $1,450 per show. Every booking gets a same-day written quote through the contact form.
Is stage hypnosis real?
Yes. The American Psychological Association describes hypnosis as focused attention with an enhanced response to suggestion. Volunteers are real audience members, not actors, they stay aware throughout, and they can’t be made to act against their values.
Is a hypnosis show appropriate for a corporate event?
Yes, when the performer runs a clean show. Richard’s corporate show is HR safe, carries $2 million in general liability insurance and is tailored to your audience on a 15-minute planning call before the event.
©09 — Latest news
From the road — stories & show notes.
©10 — Booking
Ready to book Richard Barker, The Incredible Hypnotist?
Every show is custom-built to your audience, venue and run-of-show. Tell us a little about your event and we’ll send a same-day quote.
Request Availability & Quote →
Or email Richard directly — through the contact page.