David Stephens

David Stephens is a retired Federal/Municipal Civil Servant and Non-Profit Administrator as well as a retired magician/clown who currently sings throughout the Chicagoland Area. He was first introduced to the world of magic at age nine when he discovered magic books in the school library. By age twelve, he was performing professionally for shows and parties around New Jersey. At age 25, he attended “clown school” and became one of the region’s best-known professional African-American clowns, performing at private shows and corporate grand openings for Verizon Wireless, KFC, and Pathmark supermarkets. While in NJ he provided Housing/Financial education and administrative services for non-profit organizations including the Urban League of Essex County, the NAACP Community Development Resource Center, St. James CDC (Episcopal Diocese of Newark) and others. He also served as an Administrative Grants Analyst with the City of Newark Department of Health and Human Services and later as a Claims Specialist with the Social Security Administration, from which he retired in 2021.

He moved to Chicago in 2014 and, with the support of his spouse Dan Johnson, has become an avid singer. His musical influences lean towards jazz, pop and R&B . . . with a touch of Broadway. He has performed at showcases and open mics around Chicago. In 2016, he debuted in both Chicago Cabaret Professional’s Strut —Your Stuff showcase and their 2017 Merry Measures holiday fundraiser. In 2019, he premiered his first solo show The Times of My Life at Davenport’s with musical director, Mark Burnell, which incorporated both music and magic. In 2021, with his spouse Dan Johnson, he Co-directed and hosted Black Voices in Cabaret and the French Connection, one of 2 programs produced by the Chicago Cabaret Professionals as part of their 100 Years of Chicago Cabaret Celebration. His latest show, Soulful 70s Sounds with Music Director Beckie Menzie premiered in June 2024 at Davenports Cabaret.

David holds a BA in Communications from the University of Delaware and an MA in Psychology from Montclair State University (NJ).