How to become a ventriloquist

Is becoming a ventriloquist right for me?

The first step to choosing a career is to make sure you are actually willing to commit to pursuing the career. You don’t want to waste your time doing something you don’t want to do. If you’re new here, you should read about:

Overview
What do ventriloquists do?
Personality
What are ventriloquists like?

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How to become a Ventriloquist

Becoming a ventriloquist takes practice, creativity, and patience, as it combines speaking skills, puppetry, and performance.

  • Learn the Basics of Ventriloquism: Start by practicing speaking without moving your lips and controlling your voice to make it sound like it comes from another source. Focus on clear pronunciation and developing a “throwing” voice for your puppet.
  • Get a Puppet or Dummy: Choose a puppet or dummy that you like and feel comfortable performing with. This will be your main character, so pick one that suits your style and allows you to practice movements and expressions.
  • Practice Puppetry Skills: Learn how to move the puppet naturally, including gestures, head movements, and expressions. Your goal is to make the puppet appear alive and believable while matching its actions with your voice.
  • Develop Characters and Scripts: Create distinct personalities for your puppets, giving each one unique voices, attitudes, and traits. Write short scripts, jokes, or dialogues to practice and perform.
  • Perform and Gain Experience: Start performing in front of friends, family, or small audiences. Gradually expand to larger audiences, schools, parties, or local events to build confidence and stage presence.
  • Study and Learn from Others: Watch performances of professional ventriloquists to learn techniques, timing, and audience interaction. You can also attend workshops or take online courses to improve your skills.
  • Promote Your Talent: Once confident, create opportunities for paid performances. Use social media, networking, or local event listings to showcase your skills and attract audiences.

Schools and Training Workshops
There are several schools and training workshops that offer courses and programs for individuals interested in learning ventriloquism. Here are some options:

  • The International Ventriloquist Society: This organization offers online courses and workshops for ventriloquists of all skill levels, as well as resources for learning and improving ventriloquism skills.
  • The Maher Ventriloquist Studios: Located in Littleton, Colorado, this studio offers in-person classes, workshops, and private coaching sessions for ventriloquists.
  • The Vent Haven ConVENTion: This annual ventriloquism convention in Kentucky offers workshops, performances, and networking opportunities for ventriloquists of all levels.
  • The Jeff Dunham Ventriloquism Course: This online course, developed by renowned ventriloquist Jeff Dunham, offers video lessons, practice exercises, and feedback to help students improve their ventriloquism skills.
  • Private Coaches: Many professional ventriloquists offer private coaching sessions for individuals looking to improve their skills. These coaches can be found through online directories or by reaching out to ventriloquism organizations.