I've always been a fan of an unconventional figure Something that was never intended to perform and as a puppet, but the artist performing finds a way. Also at times can be known as Found Object Puppetry. There's a performer from this year's Edinburgh Fringe who uses an apple to build a character for his show (I believe there's a post here) I bring this up because I'm on tour with a show, and it's enormous. I have some other shows on the side, thought about doing ventriloquism. Just could not bring a dummy (I love the word, sue me) do to space when flying However, in a small thirft shop in Asheville NC I found a robotic dog. A little mechanical companion marketed to people with dementia. Without thinking it was even still working I tried to see if I could move the mouth, success, I can! Also the head and with some quick costuming, I have a character! There are things to be careful for. I don't have the fullest range of motion so I really have to make sure he moves the best he can. His mouth can move based on a mechanicism in his neck but gently pressingit. So I have to make sure it looks like he's being held, not strangled... (no one wants that show) Also he has to be turned off in such a way Do you, or have you developed a character with using "an unconventional figure" a "found object" something that truly had no intention of being anything other than what it was designed for? Toys, kitchen utensils, Baron Von Mingan's Nutcracker comes to mind anything Have you seen a performance you admired using an unconventional figure? Would you consider it, if you found the right object to throw your voice to? Would you NOT even fathom the very idea? I'm not sure how to properly end this, hope you like the topic and it's some fun food for thought :)

For me, I was 13. My stepdad was a magician. He took me and my brothers to his friends house. They were showing us their magic and I clocked 2 figures. Animal from the Muppets and a Pelham ventriloquist figure. I started playing with them and my Stepdads friend said I was a natural and gifted me the Pelham, who I named Willy. For years, I did it in secret because boys didn't play with dolls. Then at 16, I was at college and had to do a 5 min talk on any subject. I did a 15 min show and it went down a storm. Unfortunately Willy was stolen from me and when I replaced him, I found Oliver. But I'd lost my confidence. One of my children needed glasses but didn't want to wear them, so Oliver needed glasses. As soon as he put them on, something changed. I haven't stopped venting since. Oh and my lovely wife, she managed to find another Willy so he's back in my collection and I performed at Venthaven with him in 2022.

Laughter coming to Crystal Theatre with ventriloquist James Wedgwood. https://www.moodycountyenterprise.com/2026/03/10/laughter-coming-to-crystal-theatre-with-ventriloquist-james-wedgwood/

Happy 80th Bday to Conrad Hartz-a ventriloquist, puppet builder and longtime staple of the ventriloquist community

When doing your live shows, do you prefer a mic stand or headset? I’m old school (NYC comedy clubs is where I cut my teeth) so I like a mic stand. Some vents like a head set because they can move freely. So what’s everyone’s preference?