Who is Gentry?
Corporate Keynote Speaker
Sophisticated Private Party Entertainment
Tradeshow Presenter
Nicholas Gentry is not only the best at what he does; he is, quite simply, the only one who does it.
Nicknamed “The Intellectual’s Illusionist,” Gentry offers a rare blend of sophisticated private party entertainment, impactful corporate keynote speaking, and engaging tradeshow presentations that attract and retain high-quality prospects. With a background as a college professor, philosophy scholar, and global traveler, he connects powerfully with intelligent, curious, and discerning audiences.
Beyond academia, Gentry has served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ghana, visiting scholar in Japan, and worked as a spokesperson for the American Red Cross in Alaska. He has taught English and philosophy at respected institutions including Carnegie Mellon University, Duquesne University, Temple University, and the University of Pittsburgh.
But make no mistake; Gentry is no elitist. His favorite review came from a sharp-minded electrician who said, “You don’t have to be smart to enjoy this show, but you’re gonna feel smart if you see it.”
Gentry is also the son of a military pilot and has proudly worked jobs cleaning toilets, repairing roofs, and flipping burgers. Once upon a time, he even played in a heavy metal band, making him relatable to audiences of every background.
What exactly sets him apart?
Here’s what Gentry emphatically is not:
• a sideshow sleight-of-hand performer chasing ego applause
• another toxically positive “peak performance coach” recycling empty slogans
• an out-of-touch lifelong “artiste” disconnected from the real world
Gentry does not aim to “mindfreak” audiences — he aims to expand their minds, and expand his own in the process.
He is a warm yet direct human being who has experienced a bigger-than-average slice of life, and he brings that perspective to every event. His performances and presentations leave audiences with memorable, actionable insights they can apply both at work and in their broader lives.
From battling malaria in Ghana to narrowly escaping a robbery in Timbuktu, from experiencing the darker sides of Japan to the welcoming sides of Saudi Arabia, from teaching Plato and Aristotle to reading tarot and reading minds at sophisticated private events, Nicholas Gentry has seen more, done more, and overcome more than most entertainers or keynote speakers.
In his own words:
“The apostrophe-‘s’ in ‘Intellectual’s Illusionist’ is important to me because it means you are the intellectual, not me. I just work for you.
I’m taking a stand against the dumbing-down of entertainment by creating experiences I would personally want to attend. My aim is excellence, and I define excellence this way:
A bad magician sells you tricks. A good magician sells you his personality. An excellent magician uses even the simplest illusions to sell you on yourself.
I don’t chase after the newest gadgets or flashy props. Instead, I ask, ‘If someone already knows all of my secrets and methods, what would still make this routine worth their attention?’”
What to Expect: Uncomplicated, Unforgettable
Gentry is a mentalist, not a stage illusionist. His entire performance is designed around the power of ideas, not giant boxes or elaborate stage sets.
This is a minimalist, refined, self-contained program that travels with Gentry in a single professional case, allowing him to set up in any venue, at any scale, with no complications or delays.
What you receive is not props, but presence. Gentry’s show delivers powerful, unforgettable experiences with razor-sharp mind reading, persuasive psychological skills, and deep audience connection — the kind of impact that resonates long after the event.
There are no mirrors, trapdoors, or flashy distractions. Just a modern, intellectual presentation with extraordinary personal engagement, precision, and polish.
Your guests will remember the feeling of being part of something profound, relevant, and real — not a traveling circus. That is what truly sets Gentry apart.
A favorite among event planners and corporate meeting professionals, Nicholas Gentry is a sought-after entertainer and speaker for sophisticated private events, corporate conferences, and high-profile tradeshows. Based in New York, Philadelphia, and New Jersey, he serves clients nationwide and worldwide wherever discerning audiences gather.
