Plainview's Josh Seiden, 20 says he's "always finding new ways to disappoint his parents.”
But the comedian, juggler, unicyclist, beatboxer, and balloon artist recently entertained a sold out crowd of 500 people as a guest performer in the Nathan Burton Comedy Magic show on Jan. 2, in Las Vegas. His folks are probably thrilled.
His original stand-up routine is a recent talent for a young man who has been entertaining since the age of 7. He started by creating wacky magic and clown routines in his house for his parents to watch.
From there, Seiden took up juggling, unicycling, and balloon sculpting, volunteering his talents all throughout high school at various charity events throughout Long Island. But the Plainview JFK grad's love for the stage didn’t end there. After begging his parents during his senior year of high school for permission to join a stand-up comedy class, Seiden finally enrolled in a course at Governor’s Comedy Club and began working on his material.
Arriving at Bentley University in Waltham, Mass. in 2010, Seiden became fast friends with his roommate, Matt Schick of Robbinsville, N.J. who happened to be a talented magician. At Bentley, Seiden has had the opportunity to open for professional comedians Bo Burnham, Jeff Ross, Anthony Jeselnik, and Donald Glover – putting the audience filled with his college peers in stiches with his off-the-wall observations and occasionally risqué material.
Soon after, Seiden was nominated for Best Male Comedian in New England of 2012 through the Boston Examiner.
Later on, Seiden was introduced to comedy magician and America’s Got Talent finalist, Nathan Burton, who warmly invited him to join Schick in a unique and exclusive internship opportunity with the Vegas star himself. Burton offered Seiden a guest spot in his show – an opportunity Seiden simply couldn’t turn down.
But Josh was also faced with the daunting challenge of performing a completely clean routine for the first time in his comedy career. Seiden wrote a custom set for the show, and, took the stage with an infectious smile and likeable confidence.
“Sharing the stage with a successful Las Vegas entertainer was just inspiring,” he said.
Now a junior in college, Seiden is pursuing a degree in marketing but plans on performing with his roommate right out of college, with the ultimate goal of starring in their own Las Vegas show.
Seiden will also be returning to Vegas this summer to assist Burton as an intern once again.
“I’ve always loved magic, the circus, and comedy," Seiden said. "I’m often seen as the collected and reserved type, but on stage, all of that disappears – I feel at home. And using my marketing knowledge along the way, I’m doing something completely outrageous to some – I’m following my dream.”
You can follow Josh Seiden on Twitter at @JoshSeiden and check out his standup comedy for yourself at www.YouTube.com/TheJoshSeiden.
