Toby Twist

Ogden, IA

Contact for rates

Travels up to 200 miles

Get a free quick quote
Promotional video thumbnail 1 for Toby Twist

Air Cube in School Show

Gallery photo 1 of Toby Twist

Lining up to get a balloon from Toby Twist - Des Moines Farmer's Market

Gallery photo 2 of Toby Twist

Lots of laughs are given away along with balloons

Gallery photo 3 of Toby Twist

Stage shows

Gallery photo 4 of Toby Twist

Multiple award winning performer

Gallery photo 5 of Toby Twist

Educational School Shows

Gallery photo 6 of Toby Twist

Making the kids the stars

Gallery photo 7 of Toby Twist

Toby twisting fun

Gallery photo 8 of Toby Twist
Gallery photo 9 of Toby Twist
Gallery photo 10 of Toby Twist

Overview

"Our best entertainment dollar investment is Toby!"

Toby Twist aka Toby KID Klauenberg is one of the masters of the art of funny, literally. Awarded the title Master Clown in 2009, Toby has traveled the world making people laugh and smile.

From arenas to living rooms, Toby can make smiles wherever he is. Toby has given giggles to Garth Brooks, the king of Norway, a prince of England and millions more.

Balloons have been part of Toby's repertoire since 1984! For more than 40 years Toby's humor has twisted just like his balloons do.

Benefits of hiring Toby:
Fully insured
Full-time entertainer
BS in Elementary Education
250 school shows & 50 fairs & festivals annually


Reviews

5 reviews

Small thumbnail image for reviewer Rachel P.

Rachel P.

March 11, 2024
Verified review

Toby was Fantastic!

Toby was able to engage with a shy group of children and keep them engaged and entertained. I will definitely hire him again the next time I hold an event in Des Moines.

Hired as: Balloon Twister


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Hanna D.

Hanna D.

January 29, 2024
Verified review

Loved him!

SO great! everyone loved him

Hired as: Balloon Twister

Small thumbnail image for Toby Twist

Toby Twist

It was so nice to get so many smiles. Great staff and wonderful patrons.


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Jen B.

Jen B.

August 13, 2021

Family Show & Balloon Twisting

Toby was amazing. Showed up early to set up, was great with the kids. Got lots of compliments from our crowd. Would highly recommend!

Hired as: Balloon Twister

Small thumbnail image for Toby Twist

Toby Twist

What a great event to be part of. The Glidden FFA Fun Day is a classic Iowa celebration. The folks were awesome and easy to make smile. See you next year.


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Alejandro C.

Alejandro C.

October 28, 2019
Verified review

Exceptional Talent!

He did a great job!

Hired as: Balloon Twister

Small thumbnail image for Toby Twist

Toby Twist

What a great group of people I got to meet at your event. Smiles were everywhere and I'm glad I was able to add a few more. Call anytime!!


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Marissa C.

Marissa C.

August 16, 2018
Verified review

Toby was fantastic!

He arrived early and was a hoot - a big hit with all of the kids who attended our event. I would definitely hire him again.

Hired as: Balloon Twister

Small thumbnail image for Toby Twist

Toby Twist

Thanks for the kind review. It was a wonderful event. Great way to share so much with so many.

Write a review

Booking information

Price range: Contact for rates

Languages: English

Insurance: $1,000,000 - Stage and venue coverage

What to expect

Toby Twist aka Toby KID Klauenberg offers a variety of skills, acts and entertainment!
Available shows include:
Balloon Twisting Art - Toby Twist puts smiles on faces and memories in the hearts with his inflation creations.
Comedy Concerts - A one man comedy show filled with jokes, giggles, laughs and lots of audience participation. This show is fit for the entire family.
Strolling entertainment - Toby takes the fun right to your guest. With balloons or magic or juggling or jokes (and often all) the fun is presented everywhere you need laughs.
Emcee - Toby has emceed some of the most prestigious evenings of splendor across the Midwest. He's emceed the largest dance marathon in America. KID has presided over and unprecedented six Clown Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies. Toby co-hosted multiple events with Meadowlark Lemon, Roy "Cookie" Brown from WGN's Bozo Show and was the host and emcee on the stages at the Iowa State Fair for six years.
Comedy shorts - Let Toby fill the dull moments of any meeting, conference or seminar with five to ten minute comedy vignettes. These can be presented from stage, floor or at the end of a conference table.
A short list of the mastered skill of Toby;
Juggling, Magic, Comedy, Physical comedy, Pantomime, Audience participation, Balloon Twisting Art, Story Telling, Games, Improv and so much more!

About

Toby Twist aka Toby KID Klauenberg has more time bending balloons than almost anyone you can find.
Toby started twisting in 1984. He was part of the team that introduced the art of ballooning to Europe in 1986. Toby's work has been showcased at the International Clown Hall of Fame(5 command performances and emceed 6 induction ceremonies) the World Clown Association (3 national conventions) and the International Brotherhood of Carpenters.
Balloons are just one of the creative outlets for Toby. Toby earned the prestigious title of Master Clown in 2009. Recognition for his sense of humor and clean comedy spins by the Country Music Association has given Toby the chance to work with Garth Brooks, Alabama, Asleep at the Wheel, Patty Loveless, and many other chart-topping artists.
What would a guy like Toby do in his downtime? He continues his community service as an elected member of his local school board, serves as a volunteer firefighter, coaches little league teams in both baseball and softball, advising members of state, county, and local politics and is a member of the REAP board.
Toby has been married to Jen for more than 27 years. They have 4 children all of whom are honor students and awarded athletes.

Additional booking notes

Toby's career has spanned thirty years, 3 continents, 17 countries and 48 states. He's performed in just about every entertainment venue. That diverse and lengthy experiences has taught Toby it's not the lights or the sound or the setting that makes a show - it's simply making the audience have fun.

Toby has available full stage, set, sound and lights. Small and large sound amplifications systems are available.

Past booked events

April 2025

23

Wednesday

Corporate Event

4:30pm - 6:30pm

Sioux City, IA

August 2024

09

Friday

Camp Event

10:00am - 11:00am

Carlisle, IA

March 2024

07

Thursday

Corporate Event

5:00pm - 7:00pm

Des Moines, IA

January 2024

27

Saturday

Retirement Community Event

1:00pm - 3:00pm

West Des Moines, IA

October 2019

26

Saturday

Nonprofit Event

5:00pm - 7:00pm

Des Moines, IA

April 2019

27

Saturday

Anniversary Party

12:00pm - 2:00pm

Ames, IA

August 2018

22

Wednesday

Corporate Event

4:30pm - 8:30pm

West Des Moines, IA

15

Wednesday

Nonprofit Event

5:00pm - 7:00pm

Des Moines, IA

April 2016

15

Friday

Orlando Fl

7:00pm - 8:00pm

January 2016

11

Monday

Dubuque, IA Special Olympics

7:00pm - 8:00pm

November 2015

20

Friday

Sioux City IA

7:00pm - 8:00pm

October 2015

05

Monday

Grant Elementary

7:00pm - 8:00pm

Set list

Toby was the perfect act for our clients. He made it look easy to perform for this serious group of accountants. Mark Grouth, Ernst & Young

Toby is an Eagle Scout and has learned to Be Prepared. So he brings bag of fun and his rural roots to the stage. The potential of comedy is exponential with KID’s audience play, straight monolog and insertion of 30 years of skill development. The crowd drives the show!

Toby’s show plays across the spectrum as showcased by his presentations from educational elementary school shows to multiple programs via the Iowa Center for Assisted Living (ICAL). He’s done comedy for football players and their families the night before the NCAA National Championship. KID’s performances have aided many ag base groups, netting his the FFA Distinguished Service Award. Performances in small churches to arenas, the streets of Covent Garden, London to the stage at the Iowa State Fair, county fairs (Burt Co Ne, 8/7/16) to comedy for worldwide corporations (Musco Lighting 2/20/16) Toby KID loves to make folks laugh.

Possible routines -
Three Hat Monte - Son vs. Dad in a challenge that is impossible for Dad to win, until the very end.
Plate Juggling - Young kid or very old person actually invited on the stage to learn and perform plate juggling
Mr. Wong – How I learned to juggle
The Great Escape – A race between two audience members inflating balloons and Toby KID escaping from chain handcuffs
Balloon of Death – Young audience member becomes the featured performer first learning the look and stance for a performer. Then the kid makes a balloon appear and finally the kid penetrates a magic wand into the balloon.
American Dynasty – A young lady flaunts her American spirit with costuming and sprouting a beard. Then she proceeds to magically make an American flag.
Signs of the Time – A hysterical look into the mind of a comedian with visual aids (Guaranteed to make every one especially the 9-13 year olds laugh.)
A Spooky Story – A retelling of a never-before told tale. The scary twists and turn will make memories as the entire audience tells the ending.
Questions without Answers – Ponderings that will generate a few ‘hmms’, ‘oh yeahs’, ‘never thought of that’ and laughter
Race to Boom – Enthusiastic members of the audience team up in a head to head competition against other audience members. The remaining audience’s cheers and shouts increase the excitement to the final big boom.

and more ........
The Artist
Violin Solo
Volunteer 3 Ball Juggling
Volunteer Escape Race
What's Next
Bowling Ball Juggle & Neck Catch
Danger Juggling - Knife &/or Fire juggling
Air Cube
Volunteer KID Bag - disappearing kid (see video Emma Disappears)
Crazy Crayons
Knot Funny
Jumping Jump Ropes
Summer Camp
Autograph Book
All Audience Game
Headlines

Influences and inspiration

Toby's show has been compared to a Red Skelton variety show. That's a huge compliment to KID as Red was one of his heroes.
Toby grew up in central Iowa where Duane Elliott and Floppy were the kid's show stars. Early in his career Toby toured with Duane and Floppy and was a regular on their tape television show. Toby also appeared regulatory on The Magic Window, the longest running, locally produced children's television program in America.
Toby KID Klauenberg has performed with every living member of the International Clown Hall of Fame. Toby KID has shared the stage with Lou Jacobs, Mark Anthony, Frosty Little, Ray Cookie Brown, Bumpsy Anthony, Micheal Polakovs, Dick Monday, Barry Lubin and many many more of the world's greatest clowns.
Toby has worked with BB King, Garth Brooks, Alabama, Asleep at the Wheel, Patty Lovelace and many more #1 recording artists.
Toby KID has written for Ronald McDonald, Hector Pagan, Don Reese and countless other comedy greats.

Check out these featured profiles

Featured

Laura Ernst

4.29 (3)
1 Verified booking

  • Altoona, IA
  • Variety Show
  • $500-$8,000

Lacy S. said “Laura went ABOVE and BEYOND for our church event. She interacted well with the kids, met all of my expectations, balloon twisting skills were top notch and super speedy but took time to listen to each... ”
Featured

Magician Mikayla Oz

5.0 (16)
12 Verified bookings

  • Des Moines, IA
  • Corporate Magician
  • $500 - $5000

Lafe D. said “She did a awesome job. The kids loved it and the adults enjoyed it also. Even when the kids thought they knew what was going on she fooled them. The kids just loved her show. I would recommend her for... ”

Caricatures By Steph

5.0 (4)
12 Verified bookings

  • Des Moines, IA
  • Caricaturist
  • Contact for rates

Sarah M. said “Steph did an absolutely wonderful job at our Grand Opening event. She has so much talent! She is also very quick and many guests were able to enjoy getting a caricature. We had many great... ”