I recently had the chance to sit down with Jaymes White whose séances have captivated audiences from across the GTA for almost 10 years. His latest experience, The Art of Mindreading is set for April 4th and April 5th in Toronto. I wanted to dive deeper into his work and understand what goes on behind the scenes. We spoke about the fascinating world of mindreading, mentalism, and the emotional weight that comes with stepping back into the spotlight with a show focused on this ancient art after a long hiatus.
A Tradition Rooted in History
When I asked him about The Art of Mindreading, he immediately drew a connection to the Oracle Act, an ancient tradition that has spanned cultures and centuries.
“The Art of Mindreading is based in the Oracle Act, which is thousands of years old. The Oracle Act was something where people would visit oracles with questions they couldn’t answer,” he explained. “They would write their questions on papyrus, and the oracle would provide answers. You can still find these preserved in museums across Europe.”
The Art of Mindreading experiences replicates this concept, allowing audiences to experience a modern version of this ancient tradition — an interactive journey where intuition, observation, and psychology meet.
Mentalism vs. Mindreading: What’s the Difference?
White distinguishes himself from a mentalist — a term often used interchangeably with mindreader.
“I never call myself a mentalist,” he said. “A mentalist focuses on the techniques of reading minds. But a mindreader? It’s ambiguous. Am I psychic? Am I using science? I leave it open to interpretation.”
This ambiguity keeps audiences on their toes, never quite knowing how he seems to know intimate details.
The Science Behind the Magic
Despite the mystery, much of what he does is rooted in probability, psychology, and pattern recognition — skills honed over 25 years.
“Most of what I do is noticing patterns,” he said. “It’s not about pulling answers from a psychic connection. It’s about reading people in real time, picking up on subtle cues, and applying a lot of learned behavior.”
A Personal Journey
It’s been four years since he performed a show like this, and I was curious why now felt like the right time to return.
“There’s a deep connection between my shows and my Mom,” he reflected. “When I started out, she was always there — cheering me on, traveling to shows across Canada. But she was never a fan of the séances I became known for. She preferred the mindreading.”
After losing his mother, stepping back on stage without her in the audience felt unimaginable.
“She was so connected to my career, but she didn’t like the séances and never came to those. I jumped back in with Isabella Street, but the mindreading experiences were different. Last year, I thought I could do it, but I just wasn’t ready,” he admitted. “There’s something about performing without her that made it feel different, almost like starting over.”
Séances: A Decade of Success
For the past ten years, his séances have become a cultural phenomenon, drawing large crowds and even competing with major venues like Canada’s Wonderland and Casa Loma.
“It’s been 10 years, and we’ve survived through so much — even a pandemic,” he said. “The séances grew beyond anything I ever imagined. But they are also emotionally and physically exhausting. I’ve done 140 shows a year, which takes a toll.”
Now, with the 10-year anniversary of his séances looming, he’s torn between continuing or stepping back.
“My team wants me to do it, but I’m on the fence. The séances burn me out sometimes, and I want to focus more on mind reading. But I feel this obligation because it’s such a milestone.”
Balancing Passion and Practicality
Another factor weighing on his mind is the financial side of continuing the seances.
“I was the only event that didn’t increase ticket prices during the pandemic,” he said. “It was important to me that everyone who supported me could still afford to attend.”
As a result, he’s considering smaller, more intimate shows or possibly introducing premium experiences for dedicated fans.
What’s Next: A Return to Academia and New Horizons
In addition to performing, he’s also returning to the classroom.
“Before the pandemic, I taught PhD students at universities. I’m getting back into that world now, and I’m looking at combining my seminars with live shows. It’s an exciting way to blend the academic with the theatrical.”
The Art of Mindreading
“This show is me getting back to what I love,” he said. “It’s more academic, more interactive — and who knows where it will lead?”
Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to his work, The Art of Mindreading promises to be an unforgettable night where ancient traditions meet White’s command of an audience. And who knows? You might just leave with answers to questions you didn’t even know you had.
To learn more and buy tickets visit jaymeswhite.com/the-art-of-mindreading
