Helder Guimarães

Helder Guimarães is a World Champion of Card Magic, TED speaker, and keynote speaker. Armed with a deck of playing cards, award-winning sleight-of-hand, and a captivating personality, he is set to change the way you think about magic and decision-making through his unique performance that is equal parts humourous, informative, and jaw-dropping. Using card tricks as a vehicle for communication, he shares his four tools of deception: 1.) preconception, 2.) perception, 3.) induced imagination, and 4.) focus – and what you can learn from them. With the goal of showing audiences how to “think better,” Guimarães challenges the way analysis, decision-making, and communication are done, encourages audiences to question everything, and shares insights on being innovative like you’ve never seen before.

An unbelievable performer and magician, Helder Guimaraes’ performance is lively and eye-opening. According to TED, he is recognized by “his elegantly thought-through performances, which merge a nuanced stagecraft with good old how-does-he-do-it sleight of hand … silently plotting to blow your mind with invisible technique, unorthodox psychology and fresh humor.”

A Magical History. In 2006, at the age of 23, Guimarães became the youngest ever World Champion of Card Magic. He was awarded the title after his performance in a triennial competition, which left both the judging panel and over a thousand other performers utterly baffled. Since then, using his background in acting and theater, he created and performed his one-man shows all over the world.

Helder has also worked as a magic consultant for several TV projects, including The Tonight Show, and for theatrical productions such as Harold Pinter’s The Dumb Waiter and William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Helder’s work has been widely recognized by his peers and described as “a thespian’s stage approach without theatrics” and “universally lauded, continuing the esteemed lineage.” Magic Magazine considered Helder “one of the brightest thinkers and performers of his generation.”

Awards and More. His appearances at the Magic Castle led him to be awarded the title of Parlour Magician of The Year in 2011 and 2012 by the Academy of Magical Arts in Hollywood. In 2012, he co-created a show called Nothing to Hide which opened at the Geffen Playhouse and was directed by Neil Patrick Harris. After critical acclaim, in 2013, the show was taken Off Broadway where it stayed for a very successful held -over run of 110 performances.

His professional activity is divided between this artistic, performance-based component and an educational one. Helder also travels around the world as an instructor/consultant offering training based on his experience in the manipulation of perceptions to help companies in areas such as communication and marketing.

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