David Darwin - One Man Sideshow
Overview
You may have seen Dave on NBC's America's Got Talent. Dave presents a One Man Sideshow of juggling, comedy and vaudeville. Fun for the whole family with lots of audience participation.
Dave's show can be customized to fit your needs. For family audiences Dave presents a fun juggling show that entertains the children with his skills and keeps the adults laughing with his irreverent humor. For adults Dave can feature death defying circus stunts like fire eating, a bed of nails or walking on broken glass in his bare feet.
Dave's list of skills includes sword swallowing, unicycling, plate spinning, lasso, bullwhip and more.
Reviews
18 reviews
Aiden C.
March 3, 2026Fantastic Performance - College Campus Event
David delivered an outstanding performance on the Quad, bringing professionalism, flexibility, and genuine energy to our campus event. He was fully engaged from start to finish, keeping college students entertained with a wide range of skills. These included unicycling, disc spinning, and juggling with multiple materials and styles. His interactive approach and upbeat presence made the experience memorable for everyone who stopped by. We appreciated how accommodating he was throughout the planning process and during the event itself. A fantastic addition to our campus programming.
Hired as: Balancing Act, Interactive Performer, Juggler, Sideshow, Variety Entertainer
Marisa
June 2, 2024Awesome with the kids
David did a great job at our school carnival. Kids from preschool thru 5th grade, their siblings, and families were all entertained by David show. He engaged them all and incorporated many into his act. He is really good at his craft, he did lassoing, juggling, plate spinning, crazy balancing acts, unicycling, and so many tricks.
Hired as: Balancing Act, Interactive Performer, Juggler, Sideshow, Variety Entertainer
Simone S.
May 28, 2024Awesome!
David was great. He put on an excellent show that all the children and adults enjoyed. Funny, active audience participation and very cool props. David was easy to talk to and accommodating. Thanks to the one man show for making our 10 year old party a hit!
Hired as: Balancing Act, Fire Eater, Juggler, Variety Entertainer
Barbara C.
May 5, 2024Dave was great!
Kept kids engaged and although it was a rainy day, he brought the energy all day long.
Hired as: Sideshow
D.cameron
November 13, 2023I LOVED the show
He put on an excellent show. It was a tough crowd but he continued to work the room and by the end most of the guest were filming the show
Hired as: Circus Entertainment, Comedy Show, Fire Eater, Fire Performer, Juggler, Medieval Entertainment, Sword Swallower, Variety Entertainer
Booking information
Price range: $375-1500
Languages: English
Gig length: 2 - 75 minutes
Insurance: $5,000,000 - Liability for damage to property, fire damage and injury
What to expect
I can perform stage shows or strolling entertainment.
About
When I was 9 years old, I decided I wanted to be a stand-up comedian. Not when I grew up, mind you, right away. Since there aren't many comedy venues available when you are 9, I decided I would sell jokes door to door. I went around my neighborhood knocking on doors and telling people I was selling jokes at 10 cents a joke. One guy actually fell down laughing when he heard this, so I charged him and surprisingly, he paid. I made a little over $4 that day and ever since I have been making people laugh until they gave me money.
I learned to juggle in high school and began performing part-time while getting a degree in journalism form Penn State. By the time I graduated in 2000 I decided I didn't want to get a day job. I was just going to perform full-time. I've never worked a real job, I'm very proud of that.
In 2006 I was a semi-finalist on America's Got Talent. In the first round I did my comedy contortion routine. In the semi-finals I sang "The Masochism Tango" by Tom Lehrer while performing many of my sideshow skills. I was assisted in the second round by the lovely and talented Melissa Forgione. Because while I am a One Man Sideshow, it takes two to tango. I didn't win the million dollars, that's why I'm here.
In my family show, I like to perform for ages 5 and up. I try to make my show fun for the whole family. The parents often laugh harder than the kids.
In my adult show; suitable for theaters, comedy clubs, colleges, etc., I do some dangerous stunts not suitable for young children. Walking on broken glass, lying on a bed of nails, or having a cinderblock smashed over my chest are some of my more spectacular stunts. My comedy is always clean regardless of which show I'm doing. I always customize my show to the audience, so it's always appropriate.
Additional booking notes
I typically need at least 30 minutes to set up my stage show. An hour is preferable.
I need an electrical outlet within 30 feet of where I will be performing.
I need 10' by 15' for my full, hour-long, stage show. Less is acceptable for a shorter show.
Past booked events
February 2026
26
Thursday
Campus Event
2:00pm - 4:00pm
•
Easton, PA
June 2025
20
Friday
Camp Event
2:00pm - 3:00pm
•
Dallastown, PA
June 2024
02
Sunday
Nonprofit Event
6:00pm - 9:00pm
•
Lakewood, NJ
May 2024
31
Friday
Nonprofit Event
4:00pm - 7:00pm
•
Howell, NJ
26
Sunday
Children’s Birthday Party
4:30pm - 5:00pm
•
Fort Lee, NJ
04
Saturday
Festival
12:30pm - 3:30pm
•
Malvern, PA
November 2023
11
Saturday
Teen Birthday Party
9:00pm - 9:45pm
•
Queens Village, NY
August 2023
18
Friday
Anniversary Party
8:00pm - 10:00pm
•
Palmerton, PA
July 2023
29
Saturday
Personal Occasion
2:00pm - 3:00pm
•
Wildwood, NJ
February 2023
24
Friday
Festival
6:30pm - 7:30pm
•
Fort Washington, PA
January 2023
13
Friday
Children’s Birthday Party
8:30pm - 9:00pm
•
Brooklyn, NY
October 2022
12
Wednesday
Festival
4:00pm - 6:00pm
•
Edison, NJ
September 2022
24
Saturday
School Assembly
7:00pm - 8:00pm
•
Newtown, PA
May 2022
01
Sunday
Surprise
3:00pm - 3:30pm
•
Belmar, NJ
November 2021
21
Sunday
Children’s Birthday Party
11:30am - 12:30pm
•
Kennett Square, PA
October 2021
15
Friday
Nonprofit Event
6:00pm - 7:00pm
•
Easton, PA
February 2021
25
Thursday
Holiday Party
6:30pm - 7:00pm
•
Reading, PA
July 2020
10
Friday
Camp Event
10:00am - 11:00am
•
Philadelphia, PA
October 2018
28
Sunday
Halloween Party
1:00pm - 1:45pm
•
Jenkintown, PA
May 2018
06
Sunday
Religious Celebration
1:30pm - 3:00pm
•
Cherry Hill, NJ
March 2018
01
Thursday
Holiday Party
6:00pm - 6:45pm
•
Philadelphia, PA
January 2018
13
Saturday
Birthday Party
7:00pm - 10:00pm
•
Upper Marlboro, MD
December 2016
28
Wednesday
Dinner Party
4:30pm - 6:00pm
•
New York City, NY
May 2016
07
Saturday
Prom/After Prom
10:30pm - 12:00am (Sun)
•
Allentown, PA
September 2015
19
Saturday
Religious Celebration
6:00pm - 9:00pm
•
Philadelphia, PA
August 2015
29
Saturday
Birthday (Adult)
7:30pm - 2:30am (Sun)
•
Maple Shade, NJ
14
Friday
Nonprofit Event
10:30am - 11:30am
•
Penns Grove, NJ
Influences and inspiration
Penn & Teller, The Flying Karamazov Brothers, Michael Moschen, Cirque du Soleil, The Flaming Idiots, Mark Nizer, Todd Robbins.