David Darwin - One Man Sideshow

Philadelphia, PA

$375-1500

Travels up to 500 miles

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Promo reel 2024

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I use this costume for family entertainment.

Gallery photo 2 of David Darwin - One Man Sideshow

Sword Swallowing is one of my favorite acts.

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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

Small thumbnail image for reviewer Aiden C.

Aiden C.

March 3, 2026
Verified review

Fantastic 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


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Marisa

Marisa

June 2, 2024
Verified review

Awesome 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


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Simone S.

Simone S.

May 28, 2024
Verified review

Awesome!

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


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Barbara C.

Barbara C.

May 5, 2024
Verified review

Dave was great!

Kept kids engaged and although it was a rainy day, he brought the energy all day long.

Hired as: Sideshow


Small thumbnail image for reviewer D.cameron

D.cameron

November 13, 2023
Verified review

I 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

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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.