Vinny DePonto is a New York-based mentalist, artist, writer, and director, known for producing a "wide variety of mind-bending telepathy–type feats, all delivered with charm, humor, and genuine suspense".
His combination of psychological tricks, illusions, visual art, and immersive storytelling have led to collaborations with award-winning company Ars Nova, HERE Arts Center, Pipeline Theatre, the Future of StoryTelling Festival, and The Orchard Project. His solo show Mind Reader premiered at The American Conservatory Theater, and his current virtual show Mental Amusements was highlighted by the New York Times for its ingenuity in the age of distanced performing.
His acclaimed one-man show Charlatan at Ars Nova was nominated for a Drama Desk "Unique Theatrical Event" award in 2014 Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience#2020s|Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience (the first solo magician to be nominated since Ricky Jay), and led The New York Times to remark "Mr. DePonto's craftsmanship consistently impresses".
