Bio

 
 


    Mike Bent began his career in magic at age 6, when he checked out his first magic book from the library. That book started him on the path to a lifetime love of learning, creativity and performance that literally changed his life.

    Mike started performing when he was 15 years old. By the time he graduated from Emerson College, where he studied children's writing with Jack Gantos (Rotten Ralph, Joey Pigza), he was performing his original magic and comedy routine at clubs and colleges throughout the country. This led to a performance at the prestigious Montreal Comedy Festival, The Boston Comedy Festival, and numerous television appearances on HBO, Showtime, ABC, NBC, Comedy Central and A&E.

    Mike has been teaching professional comedy writing at Emerson College for more than 17 years. It’s not unusual to watch a comedy show on television and see one of Mike’s former students listed in the credits.

    In 1992, Mike’s life changed again when he became a dad, and he dedicated himself to providing quality children’s entertainment. Voted “Best of Boston,” he quickly became established as one of the top kids’ show performers in the United States. His books, products and lectures have become the standard for the industry. As MAGIC magazine wrote, “Mike Bent really understands children’s comedy.” M.U.M Magazine (the official publication for the Society of American Magicians) said, “There is no one in the universe that creates magic routines and comedy sight gags as novel and astonishing as Mike does. Throughout the hilarity, the magic he performs is strong: he doesn’t let the gags get in the way of the mystery.”

    In 2003 Mike wrote and performed the National Fire Prevention Association’s Get Out, Stay Out! education campaign seen by over two million children throughout the United States. He was also an advisor and contributor to the popular book Magic for Dummies.

    In 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 Mike was invited to perform in Washington D.C. for the Annual White House Easter Egg Roll, where he entertained 30,000 guests. This “Command Performance” is considered one of the highest honors for a professional children’s entertainer. The official program called Mike “one of the most creative and imaginative people in magic.”

    Mike is also a member of the invitation-only group the KGB (Kidshow Guru Braintrust) featuring twelve of the top family entertainers in the world.

    As a performer, parent and teacher, Mike knows how to use comedy, magic and storytelling to educate and motivate children. That’s what his programs are all about.

About Mike...

Mike Bent

 

“Best of Boston” - Boston Magazine

“Wonderfully wacky... a brilliantly original talent!” - Boston Globe

Mike just finished writing his first book! The Everything Guide to Comedy Writing is in stores now!

Mike was just on the cover of The Kidabra! Journal. The nation’s leading magazine for professional children’s entertainers.

Mike is the only magician who has won Boston Magazine’s “Best of Boston” award.

Mike just performed on television in Puerto Rico, on a show featuring the top children’s magicians in the world.

Featured Performer at the 2012 White House Easter Egg Roll

Winner of the 2009 Nickelodeon™ Parents’ Picks Award -- “Boston’s Best Children’s Entertainer!”

Mike was featured on the July 2012 cover of

MAGIC magazine -- the largest selling magic magazine in the world!