Sep 28, 2016
I have heard this discussion many times over the past few years and there are as many different answers as questions. I think it depends on your market and what is acceptable to your audiences. For decades magicians and vents dressed in a tuxedo, complete with...
Sep 21, 2016
In today’s “reality “ television era we see people being taken apart on a daily basis on our sets. It’s chic to criticize and belittle and it’s almost become a national pastime in many places. Hopefully one of those places is NOT the vent community! People post videos...
Sep 14, 2016
One of the biggest things you can do as an entertainer is to remember the power of a “thank you!”. Now I don’t just mean an off-handed remark as you walk out the door after your show, but a truly heartfelt thank you note, or postcard that you handwrite and send...
Sep 7, 2016
I like to use the rule “when in doubt..leave it out!” when it comes to possible comedy material that could embarrass or might be interpreted in a suggestive manner. I know many say “the kids won’t get the suggestive material aimed at the adults”, but the problem is I...
Aug 24, 2016
I feel strongly that you can absolutely mix vent in as part of other types of performing…the most notable being magic. Magic and vent have always been “allied arts”, which means we have some history together. Many top flight magicians also did ventriloquism, and in...
Aug 17, 2016
I am a firm believer in practicing and rehearsing. For those not in the know, practicing is where you learn your lines and rehearsing is actual performance itself, the place where you “fine tune” your show after you have worked through a dialogue. I believe it is...
Aug 10, 2016
I think we’ve all faced this situation. We buy a puppet (or have one created) and it just doesn’t work! You’ve tried a multitude of voices; did character profiles in various ways; and have experimented with your presentation, and it just didn’t “click” for you. The...
Aug 3, 2016
Characters in your show can come and go, but settling on a main character is important. First the puppet must fit your style. If it’s a struggle to perform with the character or if you find it difficult to find what you consider to be the “proper voice”, you may well...
Jul 27, 2016
The 2016 Vent Haven ConVENTion has come and gone but what lingering effects will it have on you? Hopefully it was a place to learn new things and to recharge your “performing batteries”. When you recharge these special internal batteries, you become more aware of what...
Jul 6, 2016
The debate over whether to use an animal puppet or a human puppet or figure has raged for many years. Is there a right or wrong answer? I don’t think so. I think it depends upon your performance style and your intended audience. In an old issue of the original...
