About Ventriloquism

Curious about Ventriloquism?

The art of ventriloquism is far more than holding a talking doll and reciting an old joke without moving your lips. It’s a complex set of skills which include:

•  dual acting, (acting two roles simultaneously)
•  language patterns and manipulation (developing believable personalities for vent puppets including their idiosyncrasies)
•  timing for humor and comedy (laughter is a hallmark of good ventriloquism)
•  character voicing (speaking with a personality voice for the vent character)
•  thinking funny (seeing humor in everyday living)
•  script writing (whoever writes your scripts shapes your [ventriloquist] characters)
•  creating universal characters, ( general appeal to any audience anywhere)
•  vocal gymnastics, (within the character’s range of voice and also between vent and puppet)

Those who master the art, open the door to imagination so effectively, that audiences fall into believing the puppet is alive. Ventriloquism talent takes two paths. One happens vertically within the puppet character itself, changing demeanor quickly, showing surprise and every kind of emotion, attitude and agenda, while varying the range and voice as well. The other direction is a lateral back and forth between ventriloquist and puppet, with the ease of an acrobat.

While all of this is happening on stage, the best ventriloquists react and respond naturally within their stage persona. They pretend to lose control and then take it back again like a clown dancing on a high wire.

Gestures, pauses, nuances, sounds, words, expressions and of course humor, are the ventriloquists’ paintbrushes that build a seamless act that looks spontaneous, as if two people are performing on stage doing outtakes, or having an intimate conversation, about something most people wouldn't say on stage, which adds to the humor.

Top performing ventriloquists, the front runners of ventriloquists, add kindred talents to expand their ventriloquism appeal: voice impersonations, technical special effects, robotics, comedic talent, singing talent and acting.  

And good ventriloquists do it all without moving their lips while the puppet is talking. But here’s the kicker. That’s the easy part.