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...

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...

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...

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”,...

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...

I think I have seen the majority of you Maher supporters at the last Vent Haven International Ventriloquists’ ConVENTion, held July 13-16 in Ft. Mitchell, KY. There was loads of laughs, great shows, lectures, and workshops…all topped off with...

Just a quick note to tell all you Maher Studios fans ther will be no blog post this coming week ( July 13), as the entire Maher team is involved in working the Vent Haven ConVENTion.  The blog will continue the following week.  We hope to see...

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...

When my son Brett was in high school marching band his director had a saying that rings true for all of us, “To be on time is to be late; to be early is to be on time!”. In other words, get to your appointment / show early so you have time to gather your...