Geeter and 13 other students were hypnotized by Lansing-based hypnotist Keith Kocher as a part of the Residence Halls Association’s, or RHA, fourth annual The Breaking Point, a stress-relieving event held Friday night in Brody Hall.

For nearly an hour, Geeter acted out imaginary scenarios in front of more than 100 students, and when he emerged from hypnosis, he remembered little.

“I can see bits and pieces, but I can’t actually think of anything,” he said after the show. “It was very relaxing the whole time, (and) I feel great now.”

RHA Director of Health and Safety Zachary DeRade said The Breaking Point helped students take a break from the stress of studying for the upcoming finals week to enjoy free activities and entertainment with their friends.

“So many times students think, ‘Oh, I need to study for this many hours straight,’ (but) in reality, you should let your mind take a break,” he said.

In addition to the hypnotist show, RHA offered free food, arts and crafts and a photo booth.
More than 200 people attended the event last year, and DeRade estimated more were in attendance Friday.

Finance freshman Keyarra Ali said she enjoyed taking photos in the photo booth with her friends and having the convenience of a free, stress-relieving event on campus.

But the performance by Kocher was the most popular event of the night, as a crowd of more than 100 people gathered to watch and laugh at their peers.

DeRade said Kocher performed at the event last year and was such a hit that RHA invited him back for another performance.

After the students were placed in hypnosis, they were under Kocher’s command to behave in certain ways. During parts of the show, the students believed insects were crawling on them. At other times, they believed they each had pet canaries.

Communication sophomore Ellen Evans said Kocher hypnotized her at the event last year, and she knew this year’s hypnotism show would be entertaining.

Evans said after last year’s hypnosis, she felt relaxed, as if she had taken a two-hour nap.

Watching this year’s show made her laugh as her friend, Geeter, was hypnotized.

“It’s getting me into a positive mood because I’m only getting started studying,” she said. “(Now) I have the right mindset going into studying for finals.”