PAUL PRATER

 PROGRAMS FOR SCHOOLS
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Click on the image on the left to download information about Paul's Educational Programs. 

What Have Teachers Said?

"Paul Prater, came to our school and entertained and educated our students. Paul used literature and authors like Edgar Allen Poe and Shakespeare to tell stories and perform simple magic tricks and illusions keeping the students guessing and fascinated. 

He introduced facts about the authors and their contributions to our culture and literature. The students had such a good time. They left the presentation and told teachers throughout the building how much fun the presentation was."

Vicki Bashaw

"His presentation is entertaining, educational, and relatively inexpensive (even more so if you apply for a grant through the AR Arts Council). In addition, Paul is so easy to work with.”

Lynsey Moats

“Paul’s performance was not only captivating to the students, but also the staff. We were all left with this wonder of, "How did he do that?" We will invite Paul year after year, so do yourself a favor and begin a tradition with this talented performer.” 

Amber Worsham

“Mr. Prater came to my school for the first time this year, and he was a huge hit with my students and teachers. We had the "Strange Arkansas" presentation this year which the kids loved. 

We are planning on having him back next year as well and possibly considering some additional presentations. 

Definitely recommend Mr. Prater!!”  

Molly Willroth

MINDBLOWING.
EDUCATIONAL.
INTERACTIVE.

Paul Prater is a mind reader, magician, published author, educator, lecturer and attorney. Paul does hundreds of shows every year as a touring performer. 

Paul Prater combines magic, mindreading, and story telling to create entertainment with an educational message. 

Paulʼs shows are not passive, sit and listen events, but rather, engaging and interactive, capturing the attention of the students and making them a part of the show. 

Your students will be amazed, entertained, and most of all will leave learning information and encouraged to seek out more to learn on their own.

  As a father and former camp counselor, Paul understands children and teens and how to reach them. Each show also ends with an inspiring message that will help them in life.

PRESENTATIONS

These are the presentations that Paul can do at your school!

STRANGE ARKANSAS

This show focuses on the history of Arkansas, with more unusual stories from Arkansas' past. Fact and fiction are examined and the true stories are revealed.  
Students will learn about the original natives of Arkansas and their chief. They will hear about Hernando de Soto and his failed expedition and unusual burial. They will learn why we have razorbacks here and their ties to the earliest settlers. They will also learn about Albert Pike, a famous Arkansan with a tie to education in the State. 

 These are just a few of the stories students will hear while being amazed at the interactive magic and mentalism routines that underscore these stories.  

CRITICAL THINKING

In today’s world of the internet, the answer to any question is literally in the palm of your students’ hand. 

However, the proliferation of misinformation creates a dangerous situation without critical thinking skills. 

All of Paul’s shows address the need for critical thinking and research before reaching a conclusion, but this show focuses on that. 

This show draws pieces from all of Paul’s shows to create a fun, yet thought provoking presentation that cautions students against personal bias and challenges them to think critically when presented with information.  

BIBLIOMANCER

Paul has always been fascinated with books and reading and this forms the framework for this show, incorporating tales from his childhood and the tales he read. 

Which are real and which are imagined? In Bibliomancer, you will take part as Paul Prater shares his favorite stories, while asking you to share a few of yours. 

You will attempt to deceive him with lies, and he still reads the truth. Paul is able to get into your mind and draw images and scenes from your favorite stories and your past.

WORKS OF THE WEIRD

In this show, Paul introduces students to famous works of the past. These works are classics of horror, fantasy and science fiction, all of which are most likely in your library right now! 

By incorporating their tales and history, it creates interest in these works, encouraging your students to learn more for themselves. 

They will hear about Edgar Allen Poe and his mysterious death while examining some of his stories. They will learn about Arthur Conan Doyle and his belief in fairies. Perhaps they will even meet one! H.P. Lovecraft, will be examined, whose influence reaches into modern music, literature and popular culture. 

These are just a few of the authors who will be discussed.  

THE POE SHOW

This program focuses on Edgar Allen Poe, the famous American author who popularized horror fiction, as well as created the genre of detective mysteries.

We look at Poe's life, his unusual death and his works. Throughout, the stories and tales are punctuated with illusions demonstrating points about Poe's work. 

At the end of this show, your students will be wanting to read more of Poe's work!

THE SHERLOCK SHOW

This is a show all about Arthur Conan Doyle, the author of the fictional sleuth, Sherlock Holmes. 

The show will discuss the life of Arthur Conan Doyle and some of his unusual beliefs (such as fairies). This is contrasted with his most famous creation, Sherlock Holmes, who used logic to solve crimes, quite a contrast to Doyle's real life.

The show also teaches about how to discern falsehoods and bad facts in a world where so much information is at their fingertips, but so much of it hasn't been vetted for accuracy. This is done through the lens of Doyle's fights with Harry Houdini. 

Of course, the show is full of mentalism and magic as well!

Frequently Asked Questions

You should find answers to most of your questions below.  If you still have questions, contact me at paul@paulprater.com
  • How much do you charge?

    My pricing is straightforward. I charge by the half day or by the full day. 


    My fee for a half-day is $595.00.  A half-day will typically be two shows, though it could be more.


    My fee for a full day is $900.00.  Any travel more than 100 miles  roundtrip from Little Rock, Arkansas requires a $95 travel fee. In some instances, this can be waived.


    I can also do fee splits between schools. In other words, if you want to partner with another school in the area, and each get a half day, you can pay the $900.00 fee and split the travel expense (if applicable) and get a discount on my services.


    Most all schools are also eligible for a 40% refund of the fee under the Arkansas Arts Council Arts on Tour grant. 


  • What is the Arkansas Arts Council grant?

    Paul is a part of the Arts on Tour grant program through the Arkansas Arts Council.  Schools could be entitled to receiving a grant for 40% of Paul's fee, substantially reducing the cost. 


    You can read about the grants here.  If you want to apply for the grant, which virtually any school would qualify for, read the qualifications here. 

  • Do your shows follow curriculum guidelines?

    Not specifically no, but they often do cover subject matter and information which is required to be covered,  Obviously, you are the expert in that field, but I am generally familair with cirricuclum guidelines and keep them in mind when putting together my presentations. 

  • Can we partner with another school and split the fee?

    Yes!  I encourage schools to do this.  It is a win-win for everyone.  Each school gets a lower fee and I am presenting the entire day. 

  • What do we need to provide?

    Nothing!  I bring everything that is needed, including a microphone, lights, my backdrop and sound system. 


    If your school does have sufficient sound systems and/or mics where I am presenting then I may take advantage of it, but I don't ask for it to be provided. 

  • How many shows can you do in a day or half day?

    A lot of that depends on what I am presenting, how quickly classes can be moved or what size I am presenting for. 


    Typically in a half day I can easily do two to three shows.  I have done as many as four in a half day, but this is 

  • How long are your shows?

    I can adjust them to your schedule.  I am very conscious of time. 


    Typically the shows are 35-45 minutes but can be longer. 

  • How much set up time do you need?

    I typically need about an hour at the begining of my performance time to set up.  Reset between shows generally takes no more than ten minutes, often less. 

  • Can you do multiple shows in one day?

    I can, but I would need at least a half hour to switch between shows.  This works well if I am booked for a full day.  I can do one show in the morning and one in the afternoon.