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Ventriloquists' Guild

111 members • Free

97 contributions to Ventriloquists' Guild
Stage Fright
Does anyone here experience stage fright? I used to, and the way I learned to cure that was concentrating on my act and what I need to do. (ie my mission). The more I speak to my figure and focus on my routine the more everything takes care of itself. I think some stage fright is normal. Has anyone else ever dealt with this, and how did you overcome it?
1 like • 17d
@April Brucker absolutely. There seems quite a few people who don't want to do open mic in front of their peers, even those that do it professionally. For me, getting up and having a go definitely helped me. I perform at every conVENTion I manage to attend.
1 like • 11d
@Sharon M Johnson the conVENTion is awesome. We were hoping to be back this year but sadly it wasn't to be. May have to wait until '28 now but can't wait to go back
Check Out My New Book, “250 Years of American Ventriloquism: How Ventriloquism Influenced American Culture.”
Big Announcement! I’m excited to share that my new book, “250 Years of American Ventriloquism: How Ventriloquism Influenced American Culture,” is now available on Amazon! This book explores 250 years of American ventriloquism history and examines how ventriloquists, performers, and talking figures have influenced American entertainment, popular culture, media, and society. From early performers to modern stages, television, and beyond, it traces the surprising impact of ventriloquism on the American cultural landscape. Whether you’re a fan of ventriloquism, a student of entertainment history, or simply curious about an often-overlooked aspect of American culture, I hope you’ll check it out. Thank you to everyone who has supported my research and writing. I’m thrilled to finally share this project with readers. Order off of Amazon today! https://a.co/d/0hKPDmY5
Check Out My New Book, “250 Years of American Ventriloquism: How Ventriloquism Influenced American Culture.”
0 likes • 24d
Awesome. Well done April
How do you deal with bad restaurant owners?
Hey guys, I guess I'm just writing to see your opinions and also to express myself a little bit. Yesterday I had a gig at a local restaurant in my hometown here in Spain. I had been asked to perform a whole 40-50 minute show. I even have screenshots with the messages. And so, I went to the restaurant to prepare everything and they told me my performance couldn't last more than 20 minutes. So I had to cut more than half of the script I had written. I was also told that there was a sound equipment there. Usually, when I perform in other places, the sound equipments are arleady prepared and I don't have to worry about anyhing other than the soundtracks and indicating the exact moments in which they have to sound. Thank god I took my portable microphone, cause they had no microphones there, and the speakers weren't even there, they were kept in the kitchen of the place. Usually when I perform in any place, there's always at least one person taking care of all those things, and here there was nobody, my soundtrack depended on a waitress literally. The owner got mad at me saying that I was very irresponsible (even though I had asked him before if he wanted me to take one of my speakers for example, but he had said no), inmature and that I hadn't rehearsed. Obviously I had rehearsed, I had rehearsed a 50 minute show, which is what I was asked to do, not a 20 minute one. So, when it came the time to perform I was honestly collapsing but I continued and in the end I enjoyed performing. There were also two magicians performing there (40-50 year old magicians) starring at me with an angry look and saying mean comments comparing me (a 23 year old ventriloquist, who is just starting in show business) with the most famous spanish ventriloquist of the moment, who has been in show business for like 25 years. I don't know, looking at it from another perspective, I think that the situation is unacceptable, and also much much older people with much more experience in life than me, shouldn't be so mean with someone young trying to make a living out of this. Has anything like this ever happened to you? How do you deal with it?
1 like • 24d
Sorry you had to experience that. You carried on and made it work though and that's the main thing. I was booked to perform at a Dad convention some years back. I thought I was dealing with a guy called Mark but actually it was a girl who was desperate to see me (I had blocked her on social media). I was supposed to perform 3 times, for 150 people. I performed once for 20 people. All the talks before me had been on suicide and baby deaths and my youngest was ill moments before getting on stage. Like you, I worked with what I had and I made it work. Still got paid so that's a success in my book, even if it didn't pan out the way I hoped. Be proud of yourself. You will get some rubbish clients at times but the good ones will make up for it.
Making eye contact with your audience...
In the midst of a show, a woman got up and ran out, visibly upset. Her husband came to me later and told me to be more careful, because as my Uncle Henry was looking around the audience, he looked her right in the eyes, and it freaked her out. And, because people have asked me why my puppet does not have a mic, I took care of that. Hello, from Edmonton, Alberta.
Making eye contact with your audience...
0 likes • 24d
I think it's surprising how many people are a little freaked out by puppets. Even though I'm sure they understand how it works, some people just can't get their head around it.
Anyone Like Wooden Figures
If so, why? Why do you prefer wooden figures? I know most vents use soft puppets now but let’s hear from you.
0 likes • Jun 4
I started with a Pelham puppet. He was a hard figure but only have a moving mouth operated by a pullstring on the head stick. Some years later, I got a Howdy moody. He had a moving mouth and side to side eyes. I've primarily only performed with soft figures (mainly Axtell) but always wanted a hard figure. Last year I got my first 'proper' hard figure. An old man by Damian James. He has moving mouth, side to side eyes and blinkers. He is much heavier than a soft figure (but you kinda expect that) but he is awesome. I'm still in the learning process but I use him with work. He's the Wing Commander. Blinkers were important to me. I just feel it adds a little more life (although he doesn't blink very much because I'm still learning lol)
1-10 of 97
Tommy Manzie
5
341points to level up
@tommy-manzie-9598
UK ventriloquist since 1992. Venting is my passion and I love performing with my guys

Active 2d ago
Joined Jan 21, 2026