We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Phelyx Hopkins a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Phelyx, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
My Dad inherited the Depression-era American grit that defined his generation. While I never even got to meet the man who raised my father, the stories I was told still have me believing that my grandfather ate gravel while he did the work of a 1930s tractor with his free hand. There was firmly installed programming that any respectable man of integrity would make sacrifices, labor like a soldier in boot camp, and end every day with wounds, but to take it on the chin just to soldier up the next day. My dad worked hard to instill these values in me.
To be honest, here, I always took issue with what seemed to be flawed logic and small thinking. I don’t believe there is any coincidence in the dawning of the late-1970s punk movement and the anti-convention/anti-establishment attitude of my own generation. I am aware that my story isn’t all that unique, nor was my disdain for watching our middle-class fathers work so hard for so little reward.
However, I/we did inherit some traits and values that I see as common for many people my age. For instance, I am known for dressing myself with the “flair of a Dandy,” and I launder and iron all of my own clothing, but I also just replaced the brakes on my car and can repair most anything.
In my work, I have created all of my own props, sets, wardrobe, and visual assets, and I protect my reputation as one of the most professional and knowledgeable entertainers in the business. I can see this as one of those 1930s traits having settled firmly in me, a couple of generations later… despite my lingering punk-rock attitude.
I have now dedicated myself to creating a show with this theme as the core.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am a comedic mentalist. This means I am a mind-reader who doesn’t take himself too seriously. I do not believe I am psychic, but I have trained myself to read people in a way that entertains full theaters. I get to perform for corporate audiences, celebrity events, and world leaders. I usually perform for audiences of 100 to 300 people, and my largest in-person audience was about 8,000. Because true connection is one of my values, as an artist, my favorite audiences are 50 or fewer people.
I am currently performing all over the United States, and I am using what time I am afforded to craft my new show, which I intend to open in Chicago. This will be a 90-minute experience that summarizes (however abstractly) my life’s work.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Develop a respectful, working knowledge of all aspects of your business. If you are an entertainer, learn everything you can about theater. Understanding light and sound, marketing, costuming, scriptwriting, FOH and BOH (Front-of-house, Back-of-house) fundamentals, prop and set design, music mixing, accounting… Sure, know your craft, but understand how to communicate with all of the people who are on the same side of the same goal.
Be brave. Learn to ask for help. Develop relationships with mentors. Develop effective ways to earn the help that will put the next step within reach. It may seem like you can do everything by yourself. You can’t.
Be kind. The true measure of a person is how they treat others when they don’t stand to benefit from the interaction. Treating everyone with kindness will unlock a world of hidden secrets.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
I believe my education in entertainment has come from other people. NONE of this is available in a book. My lived experience in this industry has given me firsthand exposure to unimaginable insights into matters of business and artistry. Even watching someone doing things all wrong is a treasure chest of lessons. There is something to learn from everyone, including your heroes, and that weird lady at the bus stop.
Most of all, I believe the “5%” has helped me craft a unique product (myself… I’m the “product”).
In theater and comedy, “The 5%” is a colloquialism that refers to the small, experimental adjustment to every show. Precise metrics are difficult to calculate, but we know when we’re performing effectively. Making a small modification to every presentation allows us to dial things in for maximum impact. This good habit also applies to how I conduct myself in sales calls, and to my stage performances, but it also helps me be more effective as a father and spouse.
It’s not unlike the optometrist trying different lenses on you to improve your vision. 5% different. Is this better or worse? Micro adjustments can give you perfect clarity.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://phelyx.com
- Instagram: @professorphelyx
- Facebook: Professor Phelyx
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phelyx/
- Youtube: Professor Phelyx
Image Credits
Dave Wood Photo
Athena Patacsil
Irena Mar
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
